The Government in the LA

• Parliamentary question # 1 asked by the Elected Member for the constituency of Newlands to the Honourable Minister responsible for Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands

Question:

Can the Hon. Minister provide an update on the George Town Revitalisation Project?

Answer:

Madam Speaker, we are happy to report that the revitalisation is well in hand with a number of pocket projects currently underway.

First, we took the COVID-19 opportunity to undertake an extensive as-built survey of downtown, recording boundaries, sidewalks and curbing details, utility lines and other physical features. This was something that was never on record but will prove invaluable to the redevelopment project in the long run.

Mister Speaker, with the hiring of local Transport Engineers and Architects, the Manager has focused on pedestrianizing, lighting and enhancing downtown through proper design and technical expertise. Some of this work has begun with the redevelopment of phase one of Hero’s Park and the Port Authority Taxi Depot last year, to the current redevelopment and enhancement of Cardinal Ave, Elgin Ave and Main Street. The team has been meeting with stakeholders of the area, and we anticipate construction to commence in the final quarter and run throughout the early quarter of next year.

My Ministry has coordinated the amendments to the Development & Planning Law that is now before this Honorable House. These changes will provide more flexibility for sustainable, mixed-use development and parking arrangements.

We are also now in the final stages of launching a pilot park and ride shuttle service for the urban district, that will benefit our environment and help reduce congestion.

Mister speaker, we are excited about these capital investment in our town center, and we anticipate that they would help bring back that pride and vibrancy that we all desire to have for our capital George Town.

Lastly Madam Speaker, we have begun planning the annual Christmas decorations and relaunching of the Saturday Night live event.

Question:

Can the Hon. Minister say if a flood management assessment was undertaken on the possibility of flooding of the adjacent roads as a result of the extension of the Owen Roberts Int. Airport runway?

Answer:

Madam Speaker, the CIAA liaised with the NRA on the expansion works and the flood impact of filling the existing ponds near the fence line. CIAA provided an engineering assessment that included a storm-water plan prepared by its Consultants that illustrated a new drain field and interconnecting catch basins and wells surrounding the new stop-way.

For redundancy the NRA also added 14 new drain-wells along both sides of the section of Crewe Road that runs adjacent to the stop-way.

Question:

Can the Hon. Minister say how does the NRA decide whether to use “Chip and Spray” as opposed to tarmac to cover a road?

Answer:

Madam Speaker the NRA elects to install hot mix asphalt (that is, tarmac) on public roads based largely on the following criteria:

1. Road Classification (i.e. Primary Arterials, Secondary Arterials and Collector Roads).
2. Traffic Volumes (i.e. Roads that carry over 3,000 vehicles/day)
3. Traffic Type (i.e. Heavy Equipment vs cars and/or typ. vehicles, etc)

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister say whether an Executor of a Will is allowed to take a loan or charge against a property for which they are responsible for; and if so, what are the restrictions or limitations for doing so?

Answer:

The execution and administration of wills in the Cayman Islands is governed by the Wills Law (2020 Revision); the Succession Law (2006 Revision); and the Probate and Administration Rules (2008 Revision). 

THANK YOU

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister say when will all Government School Teachers receive the increase to their salaries to meet the promised minimum wage of $5,000 in accordance with Government announcements?

Answer:

As of September 1^st 2020 all Government teachers have received the promised CI $5,000.

Question:

Can the Hon. Minister say if the Government intends to restart the NICE Programme?

Answer:

Madam Speaker, yes the Government is committed to continuing the NICE programme this year.

However, Madam Speaker with the COVID-19 restriction, the team had to rethink the approach on how to move forward but we remain committed to the programme. Ministry, in collaboration with the other government agencies, anticipate to run the programme in November- December.

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister say whether Health City Hospital has been allowed to practice in additional areas of medical practice beyond that which was agreed upon when it was awarded its licence and concessions?

Answer:

Mister Speaker, the Health City Cayman Islands hospital has not been allowed to practice in additional areas of medical practice beyond what was agreed in 2010.

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister provide an update on the investigation into the vote of no confidence in the Director, prepared by the staff of the Mosquito Research & Control Unit?

Answer:

Mister Speaker, as Minister I have no involvement in personnel matters and is therefore unable to speak further to the query posed by the Member.

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister state how many cases of unfair or constructive dismissal are currently being investigated by the Department of Labour and Pensions?

Answer:

Unfair Dismissal

As of 30^th September 2020, there were 40 investigations active with the Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP) concerning Unfair Dismissal. These cases are at various stages of the investigative process and may include cases that have been mediated and pending resolution, as well as matters pending referral to the Labour Tribunal.

Separate from those 40 active case, the investigative process was completed for seven (7) other cases which are now being referred to the Labour Tribunal for resolution.

Constructive Dismissal

The DLP does not have authority under the Labour Law (2011 Revision) to investigate matters of constructive dismissal.

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister state why there continues to be lengthy delays in the clearing and processing of imported items through Customs and Border Control after their arrival in the Cayman Islands, particularly those items shipped via a courier service?

Answer:

Mr. Speaker since our borders were closed in March, Caymanians and residents who would normally travel to shop are now shopping online. The additional demand for import services, therefore, has directly impacted the operations of both CBC and courier companies as well as the customer experience.

In an effort to create efficiencies within CBC, the Director has redeployed officers and support staff to help manage the increase demand for services related to processing, inspecting, and clearing goods.  

Additionally, CBC is continuing to advance its online e-services platform in the interest of facilitating an efficient, transparent, and positive customer and stakeholder experience. The most recent improvements to the system include functionality to notify the importer when their declaration has been processed and when payment is due from them or their Agent.  The purpose of this is to improve communication lines that keep the importer updated on the status of their shipments. 

CBC will continue collaborating with all stakeholders, including courier companies, to process, inspect, and release imports expeditiously without compromising border control and revenue collection responsibilities.  To this end, Mister Speaker, it is important to recognize that there are indeed security and public safety risks at play as evident by the successes of CBC to intercept drugs, firearms and other contraband in some imports, including imports arriving via courier companies.

Mister Speaker, as part of CBC’s strategic transition from the traditional gatekeepers approach to an intelligence-led risk management approach, it remains that the physical inspection of some imports will be a key component of that strategy as will improved business processes, technology, and customer service.

Thank you.

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister say whether non-profit organisations are subject to the provisions of the Labour Law (2011 Revision) and if not, why not?

Answer:

Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) are subject to the Labour Law if they have not applied for, and been approved as a Charitable Organization by the Director of Labour & Pensions.

Non-profit organizations approved by the Director as Charitable organizations, are not subject to the provisions of the Labour Law (2011). This is due to the fact that it is expressly provided for in Section (3) of the Law (excerpted below) which deals with the application of the Law and exemptions to it.

Application

Section 3. This Law does not apply to-

(a) the public service:

Provided that the Personnel Regulations, 2006 from time to time applying to the public service shall not prescribe or permit conditions of service which are less favourable to the employee than those required by this Law;

(b) charitable organisations; or

(c) churches.

Pursuant to Section (2) of the Labour Law (2011 Revision), a “charitable organisation” means one accepted and registered as such by the Director. Therefore, a certificate of registration signed by the Director of Labour & Pensions, is required before an organization can be considered charitable for the purposes of the Labour Law, and therefore exempted from the Law in accordance with Section (3).

Question:

Can the Honourable Minister say:

a.    if WORC can determine whether there has been an increase or decrease in employment amongst Caymanians; and

b.    if there has been a decrease, can WORC determine whether the job losses are COVID-19 related?

Answer:

Mister Speaker, as provided for under the Statistics Law 2016 Revision, it is actually the Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) that is the government entity authorised to collect statistics in relation to national employment and unemployment.

In essence, WORC would leverage such statistical information to inform its strategic plans and services. 

We all know that with the closure of our borders and the loss of tourism, COVID-19 has caused job losses.

The ESO has projected that by the end of this year unemployment is projected to increase to 6.9 per cent from 3.5 per cent at the end of last year, because of COVID.