Government
CPL Arrears to be WRITTEN OFF as the program is PHASED OUT
Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, December 14, 2022 – The Crown Land review, jointly conducted by the TCIG and the UK Government has exposed that over 1,100 parcels of Crown Land are subject to long standing disputes about ownership and titles in the Conditional Purchase Lease program. Now, the expensive and contentious CPL pathway to land ownership is heading to the scrap pile, with some last ditch measures agreed in order to give people in this precarious position a chance to finally secure properties in question.
The Review proposes to write-off arrears on Conditional Purchase Lease agreements to give land owners a fresh start and final opportunity to honour their commitments.
“If this policy is to be pursued, it will be necessary to have a finite period of time within which applicants must come forward to apply for the freehold and gain the benefit of the write-off,” explains the review, adding, “A finite time period, such as three years, would ensure that titles are quickly regularised and would also save the applicant from further delays requiring a fresh revaluation which would cause the freehold price to go even higher.”
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is likely now to agree not to reintroduce Conditional Purchase Leases in the country as per recommendations included in the newly published crown land review. For those who currently have a CPL the recommendations set out specific guidelines on how to proceed.
CPLs in the Turks and Caicos provide residents with a three year lease on residential land after which they can either extend or terminate the lease. The review, in the fact-finding process, found that six CPLs were surrendered or terminated; that 383 were cancelled for non-payment of rent and 301 bought the free hold title. It left hundreds of CPLs incomplete and unresolved.
The report, released on December 8, 2022 said: “But it was made clear that a large number of people still claim land under expired CPLs and have not done anything about selecting their terminal option. There are 1,101 parcels of Crown land in this position. This is despite the fact that the Crown Land Ordinance envisaged that all CPLs, and all their two-year extensions, should have disappeared by 2017 at the absolute latest.”
A plan to bring some finality to those with unsettled CPLs has been laid out extensively in the review which also
reveals that the CPL program is a monster-sized mess with both government and leaseholders at fault.
“It is clear that leaseholders have not complied with their obligations or sought renewal of their lease, and it is also clear that Government has allowed people to assume that this is acceptable by not taking active enforcement steps in the past. Together, these factors have contributed to a culture in which CPLs have not been adhered to for decades and this explains how there comes to be such a disparity between the original CPL freehold prices and the revaluations.”
The joint Crown Land Review has anticipated that a significant problem will emerge when the parcels of land in question are valuated. Land prices in the Turks and Caicos Islands have risen sharply in the 10, 20 or 30 years since the CPLs were agreed and the appraisals to determine fair market value today will dramatically alter the costs in the original agreements.
The review offered a striking example: “To take one documented example, the freeholds in a pair of undeveloped residential plots in Providenciales were offered in the original CPL at $6,750 and $8,900 in 1999, and upon revaluation were priced at $30,800 and $73,500 respectively in 2007; they have undoubtedly gone up much more since then. Other unconfirmed examples were given to us by members of the public who spoke of more recent valuations, such as from $20,000 to $200,000, showing a tenfold increase in the freehold price upon revaluation. The effect of such re-valuations is that any person who has budgeted in reliance on the original CPL freehold price, despite the CPL having expired, will not be able to afford the increase.”
It could mean, homes and other constructions on parcels in an incomplete CPL, where no freehold title is obtained by the leaseholder, would be lost. The Review frankly points out that Government is not obligated to stick to the original price and that Government has been less than proficient in managing the CPL program, but if the CPL holder is able to pay off its rent arrears, then a new agreement could be drawn up with the help of a lending institution.
“Our conclusion is therefore that all arrears should be written off for anyone who buys the freehold. This will reduce the financial burden for people who choose that option, and it will also increase the likelihood of mortgage finance being available for the freehold purchase.”
A public awareness campaign is recommended to ensure no one in this category “misses out”.
The review also outlines who qualifies for the write-off; how and whom CPL parcels can be passed on to; recommends actions to distinct categories of CPLs; addresses government mismanagement and leaseholders who have lost documentation and after attempts to regularize CPLs the review suggests it is best to phase out the process entirely.
Recommendation 17: that CPLs should not be reintroduced. Turnkey housing (starter homes and rentals) should be the priority for those people still unable to afford undeveloped land even with the benefit of the Islander discount.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 10th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Odessa Forbes as the Director of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mrs. Forbes holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the American Intercontinental University, FL, a certificate in Business from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a certificate in Project Management through the University of the West Indies.
Bringing over 20 years of diverse leadership experience to her new role, Mrs. Forbes most recently served as Training Manager for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, where she led organisation-wide professional development and compliance training for over 400 officers and recruits. Her extensive experience also includes culture development through the leading initiatives that promote local heritage and community engagement, ensuring that cultural values are integrated into organisational practices and community programs within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Before assuming the Training Manager position, Mrs. Forbes served in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for over a decade,
rising through the ranks to become a Police Sergeant. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector, working as a restaurant manager, where she developed strong operational, people management and customer engagement skills.
Speaking on her new role, Mrs Forbes said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to serve as the Director of Culture. This role offers a powerful opportunity to preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural identity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both at home and with the world. As our society continues to grow and diversify, it is more important than ever that our national values, traditions and stories remain visible, accessible and deeply rooted in our collective identity. I look forward to working with communities across the islands to ensure our culture continues to inspire pride, unity and innovation for future generations. I remain grateful for the encouragement of my family and mentors and I embrace this role with humility, vision and purpose.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Odessa Forbes on her appointment as our new Director of Culture.
The promotion and preservation of culture is extremely important to our islands, as it not only honours our rich heritage but also shapes the identity and values of our future generations.
We wish Mrs. Forbes well on her appointment as she works to chart a new path in advancing cultural development, fostering creative expression and in ensuring that the diverse traditions of our people continue to thrive and inspire.
Congratulations on your new appointment, Mrs. Forbes!”
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Alexandria Missick as the Permanent Secretary of the National Lands Secretariat.
Ms. Missick holds a Certificate in Regulation: Theory, Strategy, and Practice from the London School of Economics in London, England, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Diploma from Imperial College London. She also possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Law in London and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Nottingham Trent University.
With her extensive experience, Ms. Missick has served as the Director of Legal Services, Compliance, and Assistant Company Secretary at FortisTCI. In this capacity, she managed the organisation’s legal, corporate governance, insurance, and compliance functions. She provided strategic legal counsel, skillfully addressing complex legal issues. Her responsibilities included managing and negotiating complex commercial agreements, evaluating legislative developments and their potential impact on the organisation, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, she played a vital role in corporate governance, developing and enforcing governance policies, securing insurance for the company’s assets, effectively managing insurance claims, and supporting the regulatory team.
During her tenure at Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited, Ms. Missick served in dual capacities as both the Manager of Human Resources and the Manager of Compliance and Legal Services. As Manager of Human Resources, she provided comprehensive guidance and support to ensure alignment with the bank’s strategic objectives. In her role as Manager of Compliance and Legal Services, she oversaw a robust compliance program that promoted good governance and adherence to the bank’s policies and procedures. This involved conducting thorough compliance assessments, designing tailored training programs, and evaluating legislative updates to understand their impact on operations.
Before her time at Scotiabank, she worked at TCI Bank Limited as the Company Secretary and Legal Officer. During her tenure, she
established an internal corporate secretariat office, developed relevant policies and procedures, and ensured compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, during the bank’s provisional liquidation, she supported the Provisional Liquidators by assisting with operational matters, including human resources.
Speaking on her appointment, Ms. Missick said, “I am deeply honoured to commence this important journey in public service as the Permanent Secretary of the National Land Secretariat. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community by implementing innovative solutions and providing exemplary service. I look forward to collaborating with the talented professionals on our team and my esteemed colleagues throughout the public service, supporting their efforts and advancing our shared goals”.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Ms. Alexandria Missick on her appointment as the Permanent Secretary of the newly established National Lands Secretariat and to warmly welcome her to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.
The Crown Land Division, which previously operated as a division under the Attorney General’s Chambers, now stands as a separate ministry with direct reporting responsibilities to Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier. This important restructuring reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the delivery and efficiency of services within the Crown Lands Division.
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Missick to this critical role and are confident that her legal qualifications, extensive experience and strong leadership will be invaluable assets as she undertakes this responsibility.
As Permanent Secretary, Ms. Missick will have direct oversight of the following divisions:
Crown Land
Survey and Mapping
Valuation
Land Registry
We look forward to working closely with her as we continue to strengthen and modernise the land administration framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Congratulations once again, Ms. Missick, on your new appointment and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service”.
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