TCI Cabinet Meeting, Revises Police Record Process & Ends Vaccine Mandate to Visitors

#TurksandCaicos, March 31, 2023 – His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 7^th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 22 March 2023 at the Governor’s Residence on Grand Turk.

All Members were present with the exeption of the Hon Minister of Health, away from TCI on Government business.

At this meeting Cabinet:

• Approved the lifting of the COVID-19 Vaccination requirement for visitors entering the Turks and Caicos Islands with effect from 1 April 2023 and agreed next steps to ensure the nation can respond to any uptick in Covid-19 cases.
• Was updated on an arbitration case between the TCI Government and InterHealth Canada. Members also agreed next steps.
• Approved the development of new national criteria, including public consultation, to revise the application and issuance of a Police Record certificates by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, seeking to eventually reducing employment categories where records will be required. Members also discussed the inclusion of criteria to allow the TCI Public Service to employ low risk offenders as an example to private sector employers.
• Approved amendments to, and the implementation of, the Turks and Caicos Islands Official Credit Card Policy, and encouraged its adoption throughout TCIG and its Statutory Bodies.
• Approved a roadmap for the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) accruals basis of accounting, enhancing accountability, transparency and financial management. Members also approved resources required for this to be implemented.
• Approved for the Complaints Commission to be relocated to a more central location on Grand Turk. Members also approved next steps including where funding should come from to support the work of the Commission and for new office space to be identified.
• Approved for the Government to enter into negotiations to purchase Parcels 10304/33, 130 & 131 on Grand Turk to relocate both the Department of Disaster Management and Emergency Services, and the Central Purchasing Unit.
• Approved for the Government to enter into negotiations to purchase Parcels 10306/68, 69, 10 & 11 on Grand Turk for use by TCI Government Departments.
• Approved the payment of a claim for rent due to K&T Auto Ltd for vehicles used by Customs Department officials in 2016 for official purposes.
• Approved the re-appointment of Sharon Simons(Chair), Donovan Francis, Madeline Mills and William Cole Fulford as Members, and Director of Immigration or her representative, Commissioner of Labour or his representative and Permanent Secretary of Finance or her representative as Ex-officio Members of the Work Permit Board – Zone 1 and Sharlene Smith as Secretary of the Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025.
• Approved the re-appointment of Nikimo Williams(Chair), Alpheus Pinder, Jennifer Glinton and appointment of Charmaine Clarke as Members, and Director of Immigration or her representative, Commissioner of Labour or his representative and Permanent Secretary of Finance or her representative as Ex-officio Members of the Work Permit Board – Zone 2 and Desireka Glinton as Secretary of the Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025.
• Approved the re-appointment of Rayan Williams(Chair), Lofton Morley Jr.,Kitchandra Penn, Deondra Delancy and Lorniqua Gardiner as Members of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal and appointment of Jenika Laporte as Secretary of the Tribunal for a period of one year with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.
• Approved the appointment of Vernon Alco Williams (Chair), Samuel Williams, Dorn Fulford, Carlis Williams, Arnelle Taylor, Kenya Forbes-Jagger, Kerchell Been Lawers, Yolander Forbes, Wandy Delancy and Edward Hall as Members of the Labour Tribunal for a period of one year with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.
• Approved the appointment of Peter Forbes (Chair), Bennet Gardiner (Deputy-Chair), Antoine Missick and Darrak Williams as Members of the Air Transport Licensing Authority Board for an period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025.
• Approved the upgraded appointment of Algernon Dean (Chair), re-appointment of Kenro Gardiner (Deputy-Chair), Brandon Gardiner and appointment of Tony Clarke as Members and Permanent Secretary responsible for TCICAA and Managing Director of the TCICAA as ex-Officio Member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Aviation Authority (TCICAA) Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025.
• Approved the appointment of Paul Brie (Chair), Benjamin Durham, Anton Faessler and Kaylea Malcolm as Members of the TCI National Wealth Fund Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025.
• Approved the re-appointment of Sonia Williams (Chair), Reverend Julia Williams (Deputy Chair), Gretle B. Dean, Deserika Lightbourne and appointment of Avi Adams as Members and Permanent Secretary for Education or Delegate and the Director of Education as Ex-officio Member of the Education Advisory Board / Scholarship Committee and Sharine Lightbourne as Secretary to the Committee for a period of two years effective 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.
• Approved the re-appointment of Dr Barbara Ambrister (Chair), Dr Marcella Malcolm (Deputy Chair), Richard Gibbs Jnr and appointment of Julianna Musgrove, Selvyn Hawkins and Velma Smith as Members and President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Permanent Secretary or Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance and Permanent Secretary or Deputy Permanent Secretary Education as Ex-officio Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Board of Governors and Velma Smith as Secretary to the Board for a period of two years effective 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.
• Approved the extension of the appointment of Clara Gardiner (Chair), Alexandria Missick (Deputy Chair), Owenta Coleby, John Hilton and Shavonda Lewis as Members of the TCI Tourist Board until 30 June 2023.
• Approved further amendments to the Hurricane Fiona Relief Policy increasing the qualifying threshold of household income, independent valuations and capped benefit to $25,000 per property regardless of value of the assessments.
• Approved the awarding of the following contracts:

1. a)       TR 22/19, Consultancy Services for Turks and Caicos Islands Domestic Submarine Cable Strategic Outline Business case,
2. b)      TCIAA 02/2002, TR 22/09, Furniture and Equipment for TCIAA – LOT A: Office Furniture and Equipment,
3. c)       TCIAA 03/2002, TR 22/09, Furniture and Equipment for TCIAA – LOT B: Office Furniture and Equipment,
4. d)      TCIAA 04/2002, TR 22/09, Furniture and Equipment for TCIAA – LOT C: Office Furniture and Equipment,
5. e)      TCIAA 05/2022, TR 22/39, Grand Turk Perimeter Fencing, and
6. f)        TR 22/25, Consultancy for the Operationalization of a Credit Union.

• Members were also updated on issues relating to the Ministry of Immigration.
• In closing, Members expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Governor for the work he had led on and supported throughout his tenue.