News from Grand Cayman

UK approves new constitution

dave — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:09:57 +0000

Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council has approved the new Cayman Islands Constitution.

Governor Stuart Jack issued the following statement:

Following the successful outcome of the constitutional referendum on 20 May, the 2009 draft constitution was considered and approved by Her Majesty in Privy Council yesterday (Wednesday, 10 June 2009). This means that the draft constitution is now the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009. Although Her Majesty has approved the new Constitution, this does not mean that it comes into force immediately.

The Order will need to be laid before the UK Parliament. This is scheduled to happen on 17 June.

As Governor of the Cayman Islands I will then be required to decide and proclaim the “Appointed Day,” the legal term for the start date. On that day the new Constitution will come into effect and the present Constitution will be repealed in its entirety.

Whilst we are all anxious for this transition to take place as quickly as possible, as Governor I must ensure that good governance is maintained. In selecting the “Appointed Day” I must ensure that all essential tasks that are necessary for the smooth introduction of the new Constitution have been completed. Failure to ensure this may leave us with damaging constitutional voids, which could become messy, complex or legally deficient. While I am not yet in a position to set the Appointed Day, I can say that it will not be for several months.

The many priority tasks that will need to be completed before the start date include the creation and reorganisation of a number of government posts and offices; the amendment of a slate of existing laws; and the preparation of a number of new constitutional bodies that currently do not exist, such as the National Security Council, the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. After the Appointed Day a great deal of additional work will still have to take place to fully implement other parts of the Constitution.

None of us should underestimate the magnitude of the task before us, particularly in the lead-up to the start date. The completion of all this work will require the full cooperation and coordination of government agencies, the Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.

In addition to receiving technical advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, I have appointed a small team of civil servants under the Deputy Chief Secretary to identify the tasks that are absolutely essential before the new Constitution can be brought into effect, and to draft an implementation plan that will encompass everything that has to be done both before and after the Appointed Day. That work is already well advanced.

Before deciding the date on which the new Constitution will come into effect I must seek views on the implementation plan from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Cabinet, which will need to agree certain actions. I will then make a public announcement.

I am convinced that the focus and energy demanded by this entire exercise will pay off in a smooth transition that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of the new Constitution without the administrative and legal gaps that would otherwise undermine its effective working. Regular reports on the progress towards implementation will be provided to Cabinet, and the public will be kept abreast of ongoing developments.

UDP wins General Election

dave — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:59:48 +0000

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has won the Cayman Islands General Election, 4 years after losing to the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM). The UDP captured the 9 of 15 elected seats in the Legislative Assembly.

Islanders also voted to accept a new constitution. Over 11,000 voters cast referendum ballots, with just under 63 percent voting for change.

The new constitution will introduce a bill of rights, three new elected positions in government, and give Cayman more control over its affairs.

2009 General Election

dave — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:05:55 +0000

Voting got underway this morning for 2009 General Election.

Polling stations across the Cayman Islands opened at 7 am and will close at 6 pm.

The country’s 15,361 registered voters are also voting in a referendum on constitutional reform, the first referendum ever held in the Cayman Islands.

The first returns will be announced at 9 pm, with updates every 2 hours after.

Coe Wood Public Beach reopens

dave — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:53:58 +0000

The Coe Wood Public Beach in Bodden Town was officially reopened yesterday by Charles Clifford, the Minister of Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce.

Mr Clifford announced further plans to enhance the beach under the government’s Go East initiative. These include a new fishing dock, public toilets, and several kiosks for small businesses.

The development work is expected to be finished by summer 2009.

Cayman avoids tax haven blacklist

dave — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:36:38 +0000

The Cayman Islands has been placed on a ‘grey list’ of countries that need to substantially implement an internationally agreed tax standard.

The list was published at the end of the G20 meeting in London by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The ‘grey list’ comprised countries that had not signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) with at least 12 other countries.

It did, however, avoid being blacklisted and not committed to an internationally agreed tax standard.

The blacklisted countries were Malaysia, Costa Rica, Philippines, and Uruguay.

The other countries on the ‘grey list’ were Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gibraltar, Grenada, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, Antilles, Niue, Panama, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Vanuatu.

Major construction work at airport

dave — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:40:50 +0000

Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford has announced that construction work on the redevelopment of Owen Roberts International Airport is scheduled to commence in September and will be complete by 2012.

The project was first announced at the start of 2007 and should have been completed next year. Delays have meant that only a new staff parking lot and a reconfiguration of the long and short-term passenger parking areas have so far been finished.

The next stage will see the floor space at the main terminal grow from 80,000 to 220,000 square feet, an expanded ticketing and check-in hall, a new arrivals hall, a domestic arrivals and departures hall, a new international departures hall, a three additional aircraft parking slots.

Election Day alcohol restrictions

dave — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:35:15 +0000

The sale of alcohol on Election Day (May 20 2009) has been restricted by the Liquor Licensing Board of Grand Cayman.

Under the rules the sale of alcohol will be banned until 7 pm, one hour after the polls close.

Orchid Show and Sale

dave — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:02:04 +0000

The Cayman Islands Orchid Society will hold its annual Orchid Show and Sale at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on March 7 and 8 2009.

The event will run from 8.30 am until 4.30 pm on both days. Admission is CI$8 (free for kids under 12).

Date for referendum set

dave — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:54:14 +0000

Members of Cayman’s Legislative Assembly have voted unanimously to hold a referendum that would see a draft constitution become law.

The referendum will take place on May 20 2009 and requires the approval of more than 50 percent of voters taking part.

The proposed referendum question stated in the bill, requiring a simple yes or no vote, reads, ‘Do you approve the Draft Constitution, which was agreed by the Cayman Islands Constitution Delegation and the Government of the United Kingdom on 5 February 2009, and tabled in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands on 11 February 2009?’

The proposed constitution gives the people of the Cayman Islands a greater say in international relations, government finances, the police, and the judiciary. It also includes a Bill of Rights.

Air Jamaica axes Cayman route

dave — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:52:06 +0000

Air Jamaica is to cease flights to Grand Cayman next month.

The company yesterday released its 2009 Business Plan, designed to stem its losses and face the current global economic crisis.

Under the plan the airline will halt flights from Jamaica to Grand Cayman on February 26 2009. Flights to other destination such as Los Angeles and Miami will also cease.

The company is also reducing its fleet from 15 to 9 aircraft.