TCI News
TCI: From the desk of Honorable George Lightbourne
Grand Turk, March 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A UK parliamentary bipartisan committee has called on the Theresa May-led administration to set a date for all British Overseas Territories to legalize same sex marriages. It has also recommended the removing of belongership and its equivalents.
It says that these provisions are wrong and they are calling for UK residents to have voting rights and for them to be allowed to run for office in the Overseas Territories. The report also says that, if it’s not adhered to, it should be imposed by Order in Council.
These recommendations by the FAC are something that ought not be taken lightly. The proposed recommendations if implemented, have the potential to negatively impact the landscape of our country, morally, culturally, socially and politically, this includes the people of Grand Turk North. It is because of my love of my constituency and my love of my country I am compelled to speak about this matter.
Each country in the world is defined by its uniqueness and their core values which set them apart from other countries. In the Turks and Caicos we are no different. We are regarded as a beautiful, friendly, upright, law abiding, Christian country; a country where most persons fear god and subscribe to the teachings in the holy bible.
The Turks and Caicos islands is one of the most sought after destinations in the world by both those who seek to do good and sadly, those who seek to do us wrong.
We must be able to recognize and acknowledge one from the other and address them accordingly.
The FAC report is proposing among other things the allowance of man marrying man and woman marrying woman. This goes directly against our beliefs and it cuts us deep and should be wholeheartedly rejected without hesitation. The report also recommends that U.K. Citizens be allowed the right to vote in our elections and also run as candidates and Premier of this country. Again, we must send a strong message as this is not acceptable. We must stand strong and protect ourselves from any invasion into our political structure by persons who do not share our concerns and do not have any appreciation for our plight as a people.
The British regards us as a dependent territory and for many years I’ve asked the question what is it that we depend on the U.K for? needless to say, I have been unsuccessful in receiving a sensible answer. I am not surprised by the boldness of the U.K. After all they’ve gotten away with doing us so much wrong already. They have been allowed to take advantage of us without any meaningful resistance; further, I am not surprised by the fact that these are bi-partisan recommendations. What I am surprised by is the unilateral response to the report by our Premier. I am also surprised by the non response by the Leader of the Opposition.
I am of the view that a bi partisan report of such magnitude with the potential to negatively disrupt our way our life; interfering with those core principles that guide our day to day runnings should at the very least be given a bipartisan response. A response that would have captured the wishes of our total populace.
Such a damning report requires a response that would have clearly outlined and reflect in no uncertain terms the true wishes of our people. The response would have and should have been a country’s response that we could have all been proud of and contented with. Furthermore, it should have stated our country’s position. It should have been signed off by both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition, after all, it is a national crisis.
Additionally, it should have established a red line and it should have said to the U.K. If you cross this line, this is what we will do; so there would be no surprises when they proceed with their anti TCI agenda. They would know exactly what the expected consequences would be.
I read the Premier’s response to the report and I was disappointed because it was a very weak response and it gave the impression that she either didn’t take the recommendations seriously or she doesn’t understand what is being proposed and the reason why I’m saying this is because in her response she said to the U.K.: ” no thank you”. Madam Premier the FAC is not asking for your permission to implement their plans but rather they are telling us what they are about to do and quite frankly they do not need your permission; they can and will do it by order in council whether we like it or not, the question becomes, what will we do? Tell the people of the Turks and Caicos islands, what are your intentions once the U.K. Implements their plans by order in council.
The U.K. has been taking over complete control of the TCI for a very long time but they were doing it incrementally; first they got rid of our constitution then they replaced it one that is equivalent to toilet paper where they have all the powers whilst at the same time allowing you to have elections providing you with a locally elected powerless government. We turned a blind eye to it and carried on as though we had powers to make decisions to advance our people’s agenda and because we went along with the saga and made believe like we had power, the U.K. Is now embolden and have decided to engage in what I would like to refer to as a “hostile take over” caring less about who you are, what you want and more about what they want. This latest attempt by the British presents a defining moment for us in the Turks and Caicos islands because it provides us a serious opportunity for some much needed self introspection. We now have a clear look into the minds of our adversaries and the ball is in our court, we can stick our head in the sand and act like ostriches and allow ourselves to be overthrown or we can arise and do what God wants us to do.
God has given us a beautiful country with smart able people, we have always managed our own affairs and there is nothing stopping us from continuing to do so. We ought not have a spirit of fear but one of soundness and optimism, however in our quest to pursue freedom we must understand that every Turks Islander has a contribution to make regardless his or her political affiliation. They must be respected and given the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our country. This means working with, promoting and creating opportunities for all our citizens whether we like them or not. This is the only way we will be able to transition from a country to a nation. Our Sovereignty awaits us but it requires political maturity and sound leadership.
My fellow citizens, we are at a crossroad. We have an opportunity to make a choice; a simple choice, a choice between good or evil. We can allow the U.K. to have their way and impose their belief and cultures on us or we can object it and chart a new course, a true path to real Turks and Caicos citizenship. Should we allow the the will of the U.K. to prevail we will find ourselves in an unfortunate predicament and we must not allow ourselves to be continually disrespected, and dominated into submission.
Our culture, values and biblical principles are worthy of retention and deserving of protection. My people wake up, speak up and fight back, do not accept it.
Hon. George Lightbourne
Turks and Caicos, December 12, 2025 – For the Turks and Caicos Islands, the shift from removal to redevelopment marks a profound national pivot — one that redefines how the country confronts a problem that has quietly reshaped its landscape for more than a decade.
At a media briefing held Tuesday, December 11, the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) confirmed that it has now reviewed 35 informal settlement sites for full redevelopment and is advancing 27 conceptual redevelopment designs, signalling a move beyond enforcement toward long-term planning and land re-imagination.
The announcement comes after nearly three years of intensive work under the leadership of Carlos Simons KC, a former justice of the Supreme Court and one of the country’s most respected legal minds. For Simons, who is himself a Turks and Caicos Islander, the mandate has never been cosmetic. Informal settlements, he has repeatedly stressed, are not simply unsightly — they pose public safety risks, strain infrastructure, undermine land ownership regimes, and create environments vulnerable to criminal activity.
Turks and Caicos remains the only British Overseas Territory grappling with informal settlements at this scale.
From Clearance to Control of Land
Since its inception, the ISU has focused first on reclaiming land that had fallen outside the bounds of planning and regulation. According to data presented, more than 800 informal structures have been addressed across Crown land, private land, and other properties, with the bulk of activity concentrated in Providenciales, and additional operations carried out in Grand Turk and North Caicos.
Providenciales accounts for the largest share of reclaimed acreage and enforcement actions, reflecting both population density and the concentration of informal developments. In Grand Turk, ISU interventions have been more targeted, often tied to flood-prone or environmentally sensitive areas. North Caicos, while hosting fewer informal settlements, has now been formally incorporated into the Unit’s monitoring and redevelopment framework.
To date, the ISU reports approximately 35 acres of land reclaimed, creating, for the first time, a realistic platform for planned redevelopment rather than ad-hoc clearance.
Redevelopment, Not Replacement
What distinguishes this phase of the ISU’s work is not simply the scale of removal, but the clarity of what comes next.
Officials confirmed that 27 redevelopment concepts are now in progress, supported by land already under government control. These are
housing-led but not housing-only designs, incorporating infrastructure layouts, access routes, drainage, and green space — a deliberate break from the sprawl and density that defined informal settlements.
One example shared, illustrated the potential of vertical, modular development: a 2.5-acre site, previously crowded with informal structures, re-imagined to accommodate 105 formal housing units, alongside communal space and planned utilities. The intent, ISU officials said, is to replace disorder with density done right — preserving land while increasing livability.
The Survey Behind the Strategy
Central to the ISU’s evolving approach is a comprehensive Social Needs Assessment Survey, designed not merely to count structures, but to understand the people who lived within them.
The survey spanned multiple islands and dozens of informal settlement sites, collecting data on household size, age distribution, employment status, length of residence, access to utilities, sanitation conditions, flood exposure, and vulnerability factors. It captured information across genders and age groups, with particular attention to working-age adults, children, and households headed by single earners.
Officials described the survey as essential to avoiding a blunt enforcement model. Instead, the data is being used to inform redevelopment planning, guide social interventions, and identify patterns — including how long informal settlements persist, how residents integrate into the labour force, and where the greatest risks to health and safety lie.
The findings reinforced what authorities had long suspected: informal settlements are not transient. Many households had occupied land for years, often without basic services, and in conditions that posed escalating risks during heavy rains or storms. The survey now forms a baseline against which future redevelopment and resettlement outcomes will be measured.
Targeting the Next Generation
Recognising that enforcement alone cannot dismantle a culture of informal construction, the ISU launched youth-focused initiatives over the past year, aimed squarely at prevention.
Through school engagement, creative challenges, and public education campaigns, the Unit has begun addressing the mindset that normalises shanty-style building. Officials described the youth programmes as an investment in long-term cultural change, encouraging young people to see planning, legality, and design as non-negotiable elements of national development.
The initiatives also seek to foster pride in place — reframing orderly development not as exclusionary, but as essential to safety, dignity, and opportunity.
A National Turning Point
The ISU’s presentation makes clear that Turks and Caicos has entered a new phase in confronting informal settlements — one grounded in data, planning, and land control, rather than reaction.
Whether the country can sustain the political will, funding discipline, and cross-agency coordination required to move concepts into construction remains to be seen. But for the first time, the national conversation has shifted.
This is no longer only about what must be removed.
It is about what can — and should — be built in its place.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Firm Also Secures 8 Individual Rankings and Strengthens Its Regional Leadership
[Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands – Stanbrook Prudhoe, a leading Caribbean law firm, is 1 of 2 firm’s ranked in Tier 1 for cross-Caribbean work and is described as having “built a strong reputation across the Caribbean for handling complex matters, multi-jurisdictional work spanning both transactional and disputes”. Sophie Stanbrook, Tim Prudhoe, Khamaal Collymore and Nadia Chiesa attract plaudits in this category.
Specific to Guyana, Sophie Stanbrook, Tim Prudhoe and Anna-Kay Brown are listed.
In addition, Stanbrook Prudhoe is again given Tier 1 status in the TCI firm rankings. Lawyers Sophie Stanbrook, Tim Prudhoe, Sam Kelly
and Nadia Chiesa achieved individual rankings and Laura Miller named as a key lawyer for the firm’s Cross-Caribbean work.
Since its launch in 2022, Stanbrook Prudhoe has established itself as a formidable presence in the Caribbean legal sphere, specialising in Corporate and Fiduciary, Disputes, and Restructuring & Insolvency. This strong reputation is reflected in this latest round of Legal 500 rankings.
The firm’s co-founders, Sophie Stanbrook and Tim Prudhoe, are ranked as ‘Leading Partners’, Tim being 1 of 2 lawyers also listed as such across and the Caribbean as a whole.
The firm has offices in the Cayman Islands, Guyana and the Turks and Caicos Islands. With a growing presence in the federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
Commenting on the recognition, StanbrookPrudhoe co-founder Sophie Stanbrook said, “In just three years, we’ve gone from a bold idea to a Tier 1-ranked firm leading the Caribbean legal market. This recognition proves that ambition, talent, and teamwork can redefine what’s possible in our region, and we’re only just getting started. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to drive the standards for legal excellence across the Caribbean.”
The Legal 500 is one of the UK’s most respected legal directories, benchmarking law firms through rigorous independent research and ranking both lawyers and their areas of expertise. For nearly 40 years, it has provided a trusted assessment of law firm capabilities worldwide, evaluating more than 150 jurisdictions through comprehensive research, client feedback, and interviews with leading practitioners.
TCI News
TCI Hosts Strategic Defence Summit as Overseas Territories Regiments Strengthen Security Partnerships
Turks and Caicos, December 4, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands this week became the centre of regional security cooperation as
senior defence leaders from across the British Overseas Territories gathered in Providenciales for the 4th Annual Overseas Territories Commanding Officers Conference — a three-day summit focused on strengthening capability, maritime readiness, and inter-territorial partnerships.
Acting Governor Anya Williams and Premier Charles Washington Misick, OBE, on December 1, welcomed Lord Lancaster, a key figure in the establishment of the TCI Regiment and the current Honorary Colonel of the Cayman Islands Regiment, for a courtesy call and high-level briefing session. Lord Lancaster joined Permanent Secretary for National Security Tito Lightbourne, TCI Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel Ennis Grant, and Commanding Officers from Bermuda, Cayman, Montserrat, the Falkland Islands, and UK defence representatives.
The visit, along with the wider conference agenda, signals a meaningful step forward for the rapidly evolving TCI Regiment, which has grown into a crucial national asset for disaster response, coastal security, joint operations, and resilience planning. Lord Lancaster’s presence carries additional significance: he was instrumental in shaping the Regiment’s formation in 2020 and remains a vocal advocate for expanding the capabilities of small-territory defence units within the UK network.
At the conference’s opening ceremony, Acting Governor Williams emphasised the importance of “collaboration and strategic leadership
across the Overseas Territories,” noting that shared challenges — from climate shocks to transnational crime — demand a unified approach. The Permanent Secretary echoed this, highlighting increased maritime coordination and training pathways as areas where the TCI is seeking deeper integration with its regional counterparts.
Throughout the week, Commanding Officers participated in strategic discussions, intelligence and security briefings, resilience planning sessions, and on-site engagements showcasing the TCI’s developing operational infrastructure. The agenda also focused on improving interoperability — ensuring that Overseas Territories regiments can operate seamlessly together during disaster deployments, search and rescue missions, and joint maritime operations.
For the TCI Regiment, hosting the conference marks a milestone: it positions the young force as an active contributor in shaping the region’s security future rather than merely a participant. Leaders left no doubt that the momentum is intentional — and that the Turks and Caicos Islands are strengthening their role within a broader, coordinated defence framework designed to safeguard shared interests.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
