Cabinet Meeting of June 7 tackles TOLCO Loans, Natl Housing Policy, Bahamas Diaspora Office Lease & E-Govt gets a Steering Committee nod

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 15th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 7 June 2023 at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.

All Members were present with the exception of the Hon Ministers for Tourism and Immigration, absent from TCI on official government business.

At this meeting Cabinet:

• Approved for the Government of TCI to re-enter into negotiations of a Development Agreement with BELB East Development Ltd. for the expansion of an existing development including beach houses and resort facilities in Long Bay Hills, Providenciales. Related to developments more widely, Members also agreed actions for TCinvest.
• Discussed the re-basing of the TCInvest/TOLCO Loan Portfolio reducing the total outstanding value of the portfolio, ensuring the stability of the portfolio. Members also discussed the handling of debt collection and agreed next steps.
• Was updated on progress and challenges with projects being delivered by the National Delivery Unit and agreed the re-establishment of an e-Governance Steering Committee under the Premier’s Office and project steering committees within ministries. Members also agreed next steps.
• Was given a presentation on government mechanical services and agreed to the investment in a new Mechanical Services Division to be established on Providenciales and a series of gender and youth facing initiatives.
• Was updated on the implementation strategy of the three short term programs under the National Housing Policy, coving concessions for residential developers, home improvements programs for existing homeowners and, community renewal and infilling.
• Approved the appointment of Tamika Handfield (Chair), Carla P. Blake, Melanie Smith, Kerchelle Bain, Pastor George Fulford as Members, Director Education, Permanent Secretary Education and President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College as (Ex-Officio) Members, and Wendy Saunders as Secretary of the Higher Education Advisory Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.
• Approved planning application PR 16021 for the subdivision of Parcel 60002/391 to create four residential lots, one space lot and one road parcel at Millennium Heights, Providenciales.
• Approved the awarding of the following contracts:

1. a) PN 005663, TR 22/11, Boats for Police, and
2. b) PN 005698, TR 22/15, Purchase of vehicles for NSS

• Approved an engineering study for a water masterplan for Grand Turk, particularly consideration for additional water storage, and for this to be taken forwards by Provo Water Company.
• Was updated on the lease agreement for a Turks and Caicos Islands Diaspora Office in Nassau, Bahamas. Members approved a lease for three years.
• Approved an official funeral for the burial of the late James Fulford, former WWII Veteran and Member of the Ex-Servicemen’s Legion in accordance with the Protocol Policy.
• Approved amendments to the TCI Airports Authority (TCIAA) Ordinance, categorizing all employees of TCIAA as “Essential Services Workers” and for this to be advanced to the House of Assembly.
• Discussed the purpose of White Sands, Grand Turk, intended at the time of purchase as buildings designated as communal facilities for the development of cruise tourism vending and ancillary services.
• Confirmed the approval of amendments to the Fisheries Protection Regulations to make provision for the introduction of a Class B Processing License and for this to be published.
• Confirmed the approval of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board (Dissolution) Bill 2023 and for this to be laid in the House of Assembly.
• Confirmed the approval of Appropriation Bill No.1 2023/2024 and for this to be submitted to the House of Assembly.
• Confirmed the approval of amendments to the Justice of the Peace Regulations 2023, introducing further regulatory matters for greater efficiency in the administration of Justices of the Peace, and bringing greater clarity to the functions of the office of Justice of the Peace.
• Confirmed the approval of the re-appointment of the Permanent Secretary – Ministry responsible for utilities (Chair), Akeem Missick, Aubrey Capron and Larry Swann as Members, and Chief Engineer or delegate, Chief Environmental Health Officer or delegate, Director of Planning or delegate, Director of Environment & Coastal Resources or delegate, Government Economist or delegate as (Ex-officio) Members, and Michelle Grant as Secretary of the Water and Sewage Board for two years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.
• Confirmed the approval of the re- appointments of John Ariza (Chair), Menelik Astwood, James Fulford and appointment of Richard Harvey as Members, the Director of Planning, Energy and Utilities Commissioner, Permanent Secretary (MOHA) as (Ex-Officio) and Thea Lam-Calder as Secretary of the Electricity Board for a period of one year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
• Confirmed the approval of the appointment of Chalmers A. Missick (chair) and Marciano Williams (Deputy Chair) to the Physical Planning Board for a period of two years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.
• Members were also updated on security issues and the provision of static security for government properties.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.