TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 13th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 6th May 2015 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Border Control and Labour.
At this meeting Cabinet:
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Noted a number of waivers to the Procurement Ordinance made in accordance with Section 21(1) and Section 21(12) of the said Ordinance. These include purchase of vehicles for Vector Control and additional chemicals to assist in stopping the spread of Dengue and Chikungunya and PPE and medical supplies to assist in preventing the threat of Ebola;
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Noted a report from the Premier confirming that a TCI Canada Friendship Working Group has been established. The purpose of the Working Group is to work in partnership with the Canadian Government to develop inter-governmental strategic policies to serve the mutual interests of both Countries. A delegation from TCI headed by Hon. Don-Hue Gardiner, Minister of Border Control and Labour will travel to Ottawa on 26th May 2015 to advance discussions in areas such as, Finance and Taxation, Law Enforcement, Parliamentary Engagement, Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Trade and Commerce and Education;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to make an order under the Telecommunications Tax Ordinance 2009 to vary the rate on such taxes as are associated with voice services over fixed lines from twelve per centum zero per centum;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve amendments to the Business Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 2015 and Business Licensing Order, Section 29. The amendments remove the categories of Financial Brokerage and Financial Services on the basis that these categories are currently regulated by the Financial Services Commission;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve an application by Caribbean Cruisin’ Ltd granting permission for them to operate in a Restricted Business Category in accordance with the Business Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 2014. Caribbean Cruisin’ Ltd is a company that provides Ferry services on the island of Providenciales;
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Expressed concern about the level of non-compliance within the reserved and restricted business license categories and requested that the Revenue Commissioner establish a Task Force to develop a strategy to increase compliance with Business Licensing requirements. The strategy to include regular reporting to Cabinet;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the re-appointment of the following members to the Physical Planning Board for the period 1st May 2015 to 31st March 2016; Burkley Malcolm, Chairman; Rico Smith, Vice Chairman; Marvin Simmons, Member; Russell Garland, Member; Director of Planning; Director, Department of Environment and Marine Affairs and Director, Disaster Management and Emergencies. The appointments are made in accordance with Section 4 (2) of the Physical Planning Ordinance 2009;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the appointment of the following members to the Water and Sewage Board for the period 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016; Permanent Secretary, Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Chairman; Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ex-Officio Member; Chief Engineer/ Director PWD, Ex-Officio Member; Director of Planning, Ex-Officio Member; Director of Environment and Coastal Resources, Ex-Officio Member; Chief Economist, Ex-Officio Member; Energy and Utilities Commissioner, Ex-Officio Member; Alan Dickenson, Member; Emerson Hall, Member. The appointments are made in accordance with Section (3-8) of the Water and Sewerage Ordinance;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the appointment of the following members to the Tourist Board for the period 1st May 2015 to 30th April 2016; Don Gardiner, Chairman; Crystal Greene, Deputy Chairman; Wayne Garland, Member; Brenda Lightbourne, Member; Lloyd Stubbs, Member; Jayne Hutchinson, Member; Lasheko Seymour, Member; Shirmay Pratt, Member; Bianca Harvey Garland, Member; TCHTA Representative.