Twenty fourth TCI Cabinet meeting update
Governor Peter Beckingham, chaired the TCI Cabinet session on Wednesday 13th November 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.
The Turks and Caicos Cabinet meeting took place yesterday in the NJS Francis Building
All Ministers were present.The following actions and agreements were made:
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Cabinet considered the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Taxation and agreed that public consultation will commence to gather the views of citizens on the implications of the revenue measures included in the report. The Ministry of Finance will publish further details of the report and the timetable for consultation shortly;
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Approved arrangements for the operation of the Carnival Infrastructure Improvement Account in Grand Turk. The Ministers of Finance and Government Support Services will work with the community to identify qualifying projects for endorsement by Cabinet and subsequent approval by the Carnival Corporation;
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Advised the Governor to approve the recommendations of the Money Laundering Reporting Authority to authorise the following expenditure from the Fund: $35,000 for the Annual Subscription to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, $12,656 for the upgrade of IT systems for the Financial Crime/Intelligence Unit, $69,913 for the replacement of Sea Protector Engines in the RTCIPF, and $4,556 for the annual contribution to the Egmont Group;
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Advised the Governor that the Abolishment of Bearer Shares Bill be enacted to abolish bearer shares in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and to provide a transitional period of six months to enable the holders of bearer shares to convert and register the shares as ordinary shares;
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Advised the Governor to agree an amendment to the 2011 Development Agreement for the Shore Club Development on South-East Providenciales;
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Approved the reorganisation of Public Holidays in the Turks and Caicos Islands as follows: Columbus Day (14th October) will be renamed National Heritage Day and October will become National Heritage month; Human Rights Day (currently 18th October) will continue to be observed but will no longer be a Public Holiday and will move to the 10th December; there will be a new day of observance on the second Monday in November named Remembrance Day that will not be a Public Holiday; a new Public Holiday National Day of Thanksgiving will be introduced and will be celebrated on the last Friday of the month, or the fourth Friday when there are five in the month. As is customary the Governor will publish a full list of Public Holidays in due course;
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Approved the award of a contract for repairs to the clinic on Salt Cay. The award follows a detailed procurement process carried out in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance.
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Approved the award of a contract for design, supply and installation of an integrated digital audio video recording and public address system for the Supreme Court on Leeward Highway, Providenciales. The award follows a detailed procurement process carried out in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance.
The following Ministers will be out of the country on official business:
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Premier 23rd – 29th November – Hon. Washington Missick (Acting)
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Deputy Premier 23rd – 30th November – Hon. Stubbs-Smith (Acting)
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Finance Minister 30th November – 7th December – Hon. Premier (Acting)
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.