Governor has no CIG card
(CNS): As the scandal over the use of government credit card continues, an FOI request by CNS to all government entities has revealed so far that the governor does not have a credit card issued by the Cayman Islands Government. However, the Cayman tax payer still foots the bill for the UK representative’s entertainment and some of her travel bills, depending on her reason for travel. Officials from the governor’s office confirmed, however, that Helen Kilpatrick is following the new official travel policy when travelling on local government business and the FCO policy when the British government is funding her trips.
The office explained that Governor Helen Kilpatrick has a set budget for expenditure for her office and Government House but the governor very rarely incurs any extra local expenditure personally and would only do so if a VIP guest is visiting the Cayman Islands and a function is not hosted at Government House for logistical reasons.
A spokesperson said that this had happened no more than three times over the past several years.
As well as not having a government credit card, the governor does not have an expense account as official entertainment is for the most part conducted at Government House and costs are always kept within the budget allotted to hospitality for the specific financial year.
When the governor is required to travel on official Cayman Islands business, an official travel form is completed and approved by the chief financial officer overseeing the governor’s office budget and a per diem allowance, according to the official guidelines, is given.
Officials also confirmed that the governor’s office account has been audited periodically as part of those conducted under the Portfolio of Internal External Affairs and more recently since the changes to official ministries and portfolios under the Portfolio of the Civil Service.
The governor’s allocation for managing Government House falls under the budget for the head of the civil service under CIV 11. This year the running of the residence, the coordination of functions, as well as the administrative and accommodation costs for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff in the Governor’s Office amounted to $770,884, a fraction less than the 2013/14 budget, which was $788,739.
This is in addition to the salary and benefits paid to the governor, which is a figure not readily available. According to the most recent civil service pay scale guide from 2011, the governor’s earnings fall somewhere between $160,020 and $176,628 per annum plus pension and health benefits. However, Kilpatrick maybe earning considerably more. According to UK records, when she left her post as Director General at the Home Office she was earning between £180,000 and 184,999 per year, equal to more than CI$250,000.
In the budget document for 2014/15 Kilpatrick’s pay is part of a budget allocation which covers the salary and benefits of the Governor, the Premier, the Deputy Premier, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, all the Ministers, as well as Elected Members of the Legislative Assembly which totals over $3.25million.
See related story on CNS: Credit card scandal rolls on
Category: Politics
She has no power either. Corruption has been going on around here for decades, even these so called 'upright' statutory heads working 'at the pleasure' of the governor need a good cleanout. The people know it, she knows it, but she has no power to do anything about it.
Rubbish. The Governor has power to do pretty much anything she likes as at the end of the day she is responsible for good governance. She needs to accept that responsibility but she definitely has the power.
No wonder some people live so good, while the majority of us cant sleep because we dont make enough money to pay our bills.
There should be NO government credit cards issued to anyone…
Officials should have to pay their expenses then provide receipts and explanations for their expenditures – then be reimbursed where necessary…
Madame Governor,
We have legal precendent under UK law to PROSECUTE
MPs' expenses scandal: what happened next?
It is SIMPLE and should NOT be up for discussion. Using credit cards or Government funds for ANY personal use is thef pure and simple
Now, it is not ALL bad news Cayman people: A mass of white collar government cronies will be fired and thus looking for work in the private sector. They will have much talent and now knowing the rules of society (newly taught ethics) we will no longer have the rubber stamp of work permits so they will close the gap for white collar Cayman employment?
The full costs of the governor's activities should be met from income generated by CIG.
Actually, none should be met from our coffers. She is a UK civil servant here representing the interests of HMG. No reason why we should have to pay her. It's ridiculous.
Making that salary there's NO reason why she should! 🙂
See…thats how it's done in the real world. Responsibly.
Responsibly yes, but also with a good measure of integrity, which is lacking in our govt. Parasites.
This is good news.
So, Ms. Kilpatrick does karaoke? I wonder what song she chose? Any guesses, people?
Caymanian Rhapsody, perhaps?
They should take away the credit cards for other parties who elected to abuse this privilege. Better yet, they should start reducing the current credit limits.
Cayman tax payer?
Dont worry about the govenor, we did not elect that post, lets get info to compare oranges for apples – Alden and McKeeva
What about previous governors? Did they have CIG cards? If yes, let's see those statements!
Past or present Governors have never had CIG credit card. You looking in the wrong direction.
Tooo bad for Her she doesn't know what she is missing out on and not having to pay back a single cent along with reward points is an add bonus for all those concerned.
What a ridiculous comment!
Mmmm…you have to pay back your personal expenditures or you will end up on trial for misuse of credit card.
Maybe she doesn't have a card because there's no money left for one!