His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 14th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 27th April 2016, at the N.J.S. Francis Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment and the Hon. Minister of Border Control, Labour and Employment.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Advised H.E. the Governor to approve the advertisement of a 0.25 acre of parcel 60000/649 and parcels 60811/96 (Providenciales), 20207/62 (South Caicos), and 10407/115 (Grand Turk) over which Andrews Communication Limited has licences to determine whether there are competing bids to acquire leasehold title over the parcels for the purpose of pursuing a commercial development, in keeping with the spirit of good governance and section 35 of the Crown Land Ordinance
· Granted permission for the Turks and Caicos Islands to apply for membership of CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) and for the Director of Agriculture to be liaison person to CABI. The annual membership fee is to be paid from the Department of Agriculture's Budget
· Gave approval to the Turks and Caicos National Museum to relocate the Burrell Steam Road Locomotive from West Caicos to Providenciales and to restore and preserve the Burrell Tractor for public display
· Approved a reduction of the Performance Bond from $500,000 to $100,000 for the initial stages of the dredging for the first 20,000 cubic yards of sand removed (initial phase) in relation to an application from Parrot Cay to dredge the Sandy Point Channel.
· In line with Section 54.2(b) granted Development Permission for the Public Works Department to install a concealed pipe in the beach in the Columbus National Park in order to pump water directly from the sea for wash down use in the Westroad Fish Market
· Approved a renewal of the lease for the TCI Radio Station Sub-Office and Public Works Department at Butterfield Square, Providenciales for the purpose of carrying out governments business
· Approved a lease for additional rental space for the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning and the Ministry of Home Affairs at Butterfield Square, Providenciales
· Approved a lease for rental space for the Environmental Health Department at Ruthann Misick-Lightbourne building in Grand Turk
· Instructed the Attorney General to consider the most appropriate structure of an ordinance for the Ministry, Departments and Divisions considering PWD ordinances from other jurisdictions to regulate the Ministry of Infrastructure, PWD and the Estates Department and a separate Roads Ordinance
· Approved the formation of a Steering Committee that will progress discussions and interventions towards the development and implementation of a single IT System/Revenue Collection Agency. Membership shall include the Director of the Central Information Technology Unit, TCIG Revenue Commissioner, one representative from the Ministry Of Health, Ministry of Border Control and Labour, Attorney Generals Chambers, National Insurance Board and National Health Insurance Board
· Gave approval for the NIB to proceed with its planned information technology implementations on the basis that it will ensure compatibility with the new consolidated system
· Instructed DEMA to consider a request for the CITES quota to be increased in the Turks and Caicos Islands as it relates to the exportation of conch as a result of a noted increase in the production of conch over the years
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.