TCI CABINET REPORT: Bahamas Gaming Board in MOU with TCI; Struck companies getting a ‘hail Mary’; Covid-19 health arrival policies in discussion and Mobile Police Station approved

#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2022 – His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 31^st meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 16 November 2022 at the Premier’s Office in Providenciales.

All Members were present, with the exception of the Hon. Deputy Premier and Hon. Attorney General who was represented by the Hon. Deputy Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

• Noted the findings of the Turks and Caicos Islands Film Commission Study.
• Was updated on the Merchant Shipping Bill and accompanying Regulations. The Bill will now proceed to the House of Assembly.
• Approved the appointment of Clara Gardiner as Chairperson of the Tourist Boarduntil 31 March 2023.
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between The Gaming Board for the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission.
• Noted the final report draft from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Organizational and Operation Review. Final recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet.
• Noted an information paper on progress of the Premier’s Delivery Unit.
• Was updated on Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise Projects approved for first half of the financial year 2022-2023, April 2022 – September 2022.
• Approved the acquisition of Parcels 10507/35, K1-7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14, K15 and K16, 10507/62 and 10507/63 subject to final negotiation.
• Approved a land acquisition of Grand Turk parcel 10506/41,47 and 114; North Caicos parcel 50303/1; Providenciales lot 1: parcels 60612/1 and 60605/32, 33, 39, 47, 118 and 179, lot 2: parcel 60605/12, 97 and 98; South Caicos accreted land plus parcel 20307/3 for the Ports Authority of Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Approved an application by the proprietors of Strata Plan no.67 and the Regent Grand (Bianca Sands) for a licence over accreted Crown Land of 0.006 acre which lies seaward of parcel 60905/206.
• Approved the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance to extend the period for the restoration of companies struck and dissolved under the former Companies Ordinance (1981) to the Companies Register.
• Discussed potential amendments to the Covid-19 arriving health clearance guidelines. Cabinet will consider options in due course.
• Approved the re-appointment of members of the Safeguarding Children Board and its Chairman Selvon Bruce-Whatley.
• Approved contract award notifications for the following awards:

o   PN 005667, SSP, Border Force Improvement Project – Installation of three-phase power, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force

o   PN 005697, SSP Police Mobile Station, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force

• Approved a Staff Annual Christmas Advance for 2022 with repayment terms of six months starting in February 2023 for Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority employees.
• Approved the appointment of Dr. Barbara Ambrister as Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Board of Governors effective as of 21 November 2022 until 31 August 2024.
• Discussed recent support and partnership with the UK and the US to disrupt violent crime.