Governor focused on civil service reform
(CNS): Addressing accountability around the performance of civil servants will be a priority this year for his office, Governor Martyn Roper said during a speech delivered at the Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting on Monday. The governor told the audience of business owners that further progress is needed for the civil service to go from good to excellent.
Improving public service performance was one of several topics that Roper spoke about in the keynote address for the business body’s meeting.
“A programme is needed to drive behavioural and cultural change in areas such as breaking down silos and improving joined-up, cross-government working and more sharing of information,” the governor said. “More is also needed to address accountability around performance of civil servants. This programme, led by the deputy governor, will be a focus of my office over the next year or so and we will see if UK technical support can assist us in one to two areas.”
He added that he looked to both elected representatives and members of the civil service to uphold the highest standards of propriety and always to act in the best interests of Cayman and her people, as he welcomed “the imminent implementation of a parliamentary code of conduct”.
During the address, Roper, who is now in the last full year of his posting to Cayman, said there was “much to do over the next twelve months” and he would continue to nurture the relationship with the UK, which he described as one of the best between all the overseas territories. But like all “strong and enduring relationships”, it needs continued effort, he said.
“My office will do its level best to ensure the UK delivers on the asks that have been put to us. At the same time, I will fully respect Cayman’s domestic autonomy and its elected representatives’ responsibility for running Cayman.”
The governor said he would continue to support good governance and the oversight offices, such as the auditor general, the ombudsman and the various commissions, which are an important check and balance, as well as upholding the independence of the judiciary.
Roper spoke specifically about environmental issues, stating that he strongly supported the vision of the premier and the government of achieving a greater balance between development and the environment, “a message I believe came through loud and clear in the election campaign”.
He said that this was an area where the UK could help, and while Cayman is “rightly proud” of never having received financial budgetary support from Britain, the environment was a targeted area where UK technical assistance can support prosperity and build capacity.
He said that during a recent visit by the new overseas territories minister, Amanda Milling, some requests were made of her for that help, including support for a “sustainable public transport system”.
Without offering details about what that might mean, the governor said this and other ideas were under discussion. He added that the UK Foreign Office is already funding a climate change risk assessment for Cayman, a key piece of technical work to help shape future policy.
Since 2019, Britain has spent over £4.5 million, not including vaccines, in Cayman across a number of areas, which Roper said was “tangible evidence of the strength of the relationship”.
During the Chamber meeting, members voted a new executive council and Shomari Scott took over the reins of president of the organisation. Nelson Dilbert is president-elect and Joanna Lawson is vice president.
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Category: Government Administration, Politics
Mr Roper, please can you separate church and state before you go? Or ask your successor to attend this, soonest?
Start with the leadership and teach them some actual leadership skills.
All a talk, nothing will be done, nothing at all.
How many good Caymanians on CIG or GOCs over the past decade have been dismissed, stressed to death or left in frustration?!!
Areas from DOE to Computer services.
Paul. Rex. Timmy. Astley. Carson. Debbie. Leonard. Angela. Etc
Yet Mary, Jennifer and the Exorcist Red Bay Principal are still in the payroll.
Oh, Eric remains too, and the private security contracts throughout CIG instead of hiring local men at decent pay.
With pay and benefits severely impacting all except those who hold the purse strings, PLEASE tell these bright sparks to set up a proper Minimum Wage Wage Committee ASAP.
Thank you.
Make the hotels/ restaurants pay the minimum wages of 6 d per hour tips are not from their employers it from the guests.
FATF publishes its next lists on March 4th. What have we done to crack down on governmental corruption, drug trafficking, and money laundering? Any arrests?
Now also who does business with Russian oligarchs?
This statement by The Governor speaks volumes.
With respect Governor, you only have to look at a previous article re: Concrete dumping to see the incompetence that we face from the CS and the displeasure of the wider public at the DOE’s lacklustre approach to our environment. With enforcement management and staff woefully undertrained, inexperienced, or just plain incompetent, the destruction of our islands will continue.
Until real accountability is forthcoming and real sanctions are in place, this clown show will continue.
Most of my contact with the civil service is in respect of the Court staff. Nobody there ever answers the phone. Ever. Emails are almost always ignored. There are maybe one or two people in the whole building who could hold down a job in my law firm for more than a week.
Same at the companies registry – for decades
Governor Roper, you must know that corruption is rife in the private sector and civil service. Until it is rooted out and pinnacle perpetrators made examples of positive change from your perceived good to excellent is light years away. How can you talk of a balance between development and environment when you have fostered a regime that wanted to lay waste to our fragile marine environment now matter the public discourse? And again, against all sanity the same scorched earth policy is on the verge of reality today.
Please take the fluff out of your mouth, your head out of the clouds and open your eyes. You know the only way UK can help is with direct rule. But that would only work if we had a governor and UK heads who are honest, fair, grounded and truly vested in straightening out Cayman, fostering efficiency not bureaucracy and demonstrating real transparency throughout the entire process. Lastly, in my book you ruined your credibility when you blatantly showed favour to the last regime and even enabled its potential reign for another four years.
You seem to run with the hare and the hounds and so have positioned yourself in a precarious spot. My advice is to run back to your hole lest you get caught.
Excellent observation and comment
This island is a first world country based only in Development and Finance. Civil service, police, Gt hospital, etc. makes us look like a third world country. 40 years ago people cared about their performance and attitude not anymore. Especially when dealing with foreigners from first world countries. They are abusive, sarcastic, demeaning, etc. We have lost this generation. Just because they believe they have arrived.
I thought that the governor was leaving soon. Was his term extended?
thats why he is known as the roper-joker……but no-one is laughing….
Mr. Governor, you are talking about the independence of the judiciary but not its accountability. Since 2016 there are no rules governing complaints against judges. You talk about supporting the commissions, which are often toothless institutions that specialize in protecting the bigwigs while trashing the small man, especially Caymanians.
Let’s not forget that poor Chantelle Day, Vickie Bodden Bush and their child, have been waiting over a year for family recognition and protection at Privy Council, set in motion by Cayman’s “justice system”, even with open bias, and active collusion of sitting MPs using public funds against their own constituents, and with full governor complicity. It’s appalling.
So having had the AG’s report for 3 months and 3 weeks now, did the Governor not even mention it when he gave this speech?
We all agree that “More is also needed to address accountability around performance of civil servants”.
Unfortunately, the Governor has provided a very poor example to the civil service. Considering he is likely on his way out in a year or so, he is wasting the opportunity to demonstrate what accountability should mean when those at the top have been called out by someone as astute as the Auditor General. It is long past time for him to publicly acknowledge that the actions of his Cabinet and top civil servants have been called into question and, most importantly, that someone independent will critique the situation and recommend consequences. This is not the remit of him, the DG or the Attorney General.
Show us what accountability means at the top; the rest of the civil service will see and know what it should mean for them.
How many times have the Anti Corruption boys been called on to expose illegal activities? How many times have wrong-doers been prosecuted?
Yeah. That’s about what I thought.
More hot air. Substance is absent. Nothing will get done, unless a miracle happens.
It’s funny how HE has decided there’s room for improvement on his way out… looked the other way for years because it was easier than dealing with the incompetent heads sitting across the table from him. Now he wants to try one or two things during his last year… total joke. Fish stinks from head which is true of HE and civil service executives
Reform should be easy.
Just get rid of Justin Competence. That guy seems to be involved with everything.
Get rid of the DG too
Your Excellency
You want to fix the civil service? It desperately needs dramatic change and accountability. Much of what is transpiring is quite possibly criminal. There is no indication of improvement. In fact it has been deteriorating for many years. There are many stars in the civil service. Cayman is blessed to have them, but their task is thankless and the burden they bear is much too much. Their efforts are drowned out by the overwhelming cacophony of incompetence and nepotism that plague too many aspects of our governance.
I sincerely hope reform is indeed a priority. We have been promised much by persons in government, but too often our experience is that promises for change are designed and intended to placate. Cayman cannot afford, literally and figuratively, for the status quo to continue. No-one should be spared the light that must be shone in all corners.
One of the issues appears to be that the civil service is exempt from the immigration law. Why is that? The private sector has to prove it is making every effort to employ Caymanians. It has to provide ongoing efforts to train and mentor Caymanians, and advance them as far and as quickly as their talent, effort and ability can take them. Businesses have to recruit from a diverse range of foreign nationalities to maintain a demographic balance in businesses and in the community. The children of private sector expatriates have to attend private school. Private sector employees have to apply for PR or face rollover. Private sector employees and their families have to contribute to their pensions, and have private health insurance.
The failure to have the public sector abide by the same rules that the private sector has to follow has opened the systems to opacity and abuse. If the civil service had to jump the same hurdles that the private sector, who are paying for it all, must face, then do we really believe the lack of responsiveness and lack of accountability could continue? Of course not.
Apply the immigration law to all but a few key civil service positions, and many of the problems we face would disappear. Let them have 5 year work permits, but make them experience what it is like to be a “user” of their own services. That would force much improvement, overnight. It also makes sense, and is fair.
5:13 you have to be kidding.
Our DG and his team have been doing an outstanding job in improving the performance of the Civil Service. I should know since I have been a civil servant for 15 years.
Over the past 5 years we have witnessed the following.
More training for civil servants than in the past 20 years. Including online training such as LinkedIn learning.
Introduction of an employee orientation program.
Improved pay for civil servants whose pay was in the gutter.
All civil service entities that have been audited by the auditor General had received an unqualified opinion.
Introduced staff engagement survey and achieved an engagement score of 72%. With over 80% of service taking the survey. I challenge the private sector to run the same survey.
Introduced Happy or Not Terminals in all major customer facing departments with a happy rating of 90%.
Introduced a 2nd Chance Program to give our Caymanians with a conviction a chance for employment. I understand over 9 Caymanians have benefited.
Secondment opportunities for civil servants so that they can gain experience in other areas of the service
Zero tolerance for corruption and poor performance.
I could go on all day.
Don’t be jealous and hateful.
As for applying the roll over policy to the civil service. What?
Yes let’s rollover hundreds of teachers and police officers and see what happens.
Your suggestion that there is zero tolerance for corruption and poor performance is laughable. You are living on another planet.
Teachers and Police Officers will only get rolled over if they fail to apply for PR. CIS, Prep, Catholic, and EVERY private sector entity is able to function with rollover. Why not the Public Sector? What is good for the goose…
The fact that you look up to the DG, think he is someone great, and that he is doing a good job says all we need to know about you.
This is nonsense. Rose are superficial plastic achievements. The efficiency and performance of the cayman civil service isn’t close to first world standards and merely 30 per cent as satisfactory of the private sector.
6:14, you obviously have not dealt with my bank and my insurance company recently!
What an ungrateful set of people. Who created the paradise we live in? The Government civil service and private sector all working together.
If you cant see that improvement in the Civil service in the last few years who are either blind or refuse to see.
Give credit where it is due. I am happy to see the Governor acknowledge that the civil service is good and working together with Mr Manderson the civil service will be world class.
Who created the paradise we live in?
Some incredible seafarers who came home with money, experience and tenacity.
Some incredible women who ran it while the seafarers were away.
Michael Manley and Lyndon Pindling who destroyed their own countries and caused capital and intellect to flee here.
Persons like Tom Russell, John Maples, Bill Walker, working closely with incredible Caymanians like Vassell Johnson, Charles Kirkconnell, and Benson Ebanks.
They are the people who created the paradise we live in.
The civil service, not so much. Indeed, more recently, they are acting like a vampire feeding off the lifeblood. The frightening thing is that they do not even recognize it. For the most part we thrive in spite of our government. Not because of it.
Oh yeah? This is the same Manderson who gave a job to a contract employee who did not even have a university degree, denying 2 Caymanians who had Master’s Degrees? Remember? Ministry of Education?
True.
He also went on Rooster to boast that he had ‘got it right’.
With Manderson??? Boy, you are a real fool.
I wish I could dislike this comment more than once!
Exactly. Why can Maples and CIMA and CIS manage it, while the Attorney General’s Chambrs, Prison Service, and John Gray cannot? One standard for all, equally applied, is the only way to go. Government should also have to take the same medicine it prescribes for others. That alone may force it to moderate its attitudes to the public it is supposed to be serving.
BINGO. Hold them to the same standards they hold the private sector to. If it is good enough for us, it is good enough for them.
Only in Cayman does a Governor and one of own get criticized for acknowledges that things can be done better. Get a life people.
I forgot that all of you are work and operate perfect organizations. That by the way would not be able to operate without the civil service.
#freeanwar
“Good to Excellent”
Ok Pinocchio.
I see it is beat on the civil service DG and Governor day.
But the fact of the matter is that we have the best run civil service in all of the Caribbean and Bermuda.
If you are truthful with yourself you will agree.
However it is much easier to tear down Caymanians and blame blame blame.
Meanwhile the transformation of the Civil Service under the DG has been outstanding.
Improved financial accountability
Improved customer service.
Dramatically improved staff engagement
More e services.
Outstanding leadership during covid-19
Improved performance management. Ask the civil servants who went to prison.
Improved training opportunities for civil servants.
And the list goes on. Wake up and taste the honey.
Honey? More like tea. Laced with cyanide. Stop drinking it. It is destroying your country.
“Best run civil service in all the Caribbean and Bermuda”??? I thought it was world class, Franz. Where’s the bar being set?
Jm No wonder the Civil Service is a disaster if they all suffer from delusions like you. I can only assume you are a troll and taking the Mickey out of our world –ass CivilService.
All true but you are forgetting two things that are eating us all, except you. SIZE and COST.
Both due to inefficiency.
You are delusional.
Strange times when “doing your job” is equated with reform. How are those books coming along?
Rather well actually, 12:08. You obviously haven’t been keeping up to date.
At least they eating good, most of them are fat, but they can’t find their phones to answerthem.
Hopefully Roper and Franzie can help eliminate some of the waste and abuse.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hopefully Roper and Franzie can help eliminate some of the waste and abuse.
Now it is not anonymous.
Franz is the biggest waste and abuse, Roper coming in hard second
Cayman is a banana republic without bananas led by pirates in suits that pray before every meeting hoping the people continue to tolerate the lies and corruption. All involved in the corruption and abuse of position should be criminally investigated especially civil servants starting at the very top.
How about starting the reform by treating civil servants equally by ensuring the staff receive the same 15 percent increase top management received last year (grades a thru d). Also, address the illegal spending identified by AG report on overseas offices! No accountability and pure discrimination is what currently exists in the civil service and the public cannot expect anything to improve until these issues are addressed.
Fairness at 11.44am. 15% increase for top management, who authorised this outrageous waste of taxpayer’s money?.
OMG! His Excellency has finally woken up to the atrocious Civil Service lackings!!??
Gov, please start by ditching Franz & Gloria, then as COs, start with Stran Bodden! I’m sure there are other “waste-of-space” seniors who the public would happily name!
But Your Ex, CS does not need to get from “good to excellent” yet. Let’s crawl before we walk, try getting from “crap to good” first!!
11:44 am those 3 would be an excellent start of whom to get rid of.
Read the recent report from the Office of the AG. The Chief Officer that is the subject of the report should be suspended and put on notice for termination. The Auditor General has already done the investigation – if crimes where committed then turn it over to RCIP and Anti-Corruption Unit. The history of this officer is full of such activities and the public should demand accountability. Honestly this is enough of his bravado and contempt for public funds totally is unacceptable. The list of unethical activities on his record is enough to warrant finally some action and immediate termination for cause.
Not just him. Almost everyone reporting to him is implicated. They all went along. It is a freaking outrage!
Need to clean house.
Does the Governor and Deputy Governor mean that that all staff will be held accountable for performance or lack thereof issues including CS senior management and Chief Officer Eric Bush given the recent Auditor General’s report where it states laws were broken?
The report is more evidence which highlights how the civil service has lost its way. Chief Officers and select senior staff now operate like politicians and their affiliation is to elected politicians or parties not what is objective and best for the civil service.
Eric Bush signed the contracts and allegedly broke several laws. He may have been instructed or allowed to do so but the accused and his accessory are CO Bush and DG Manderson. The buck stops at the top right?
The key question is what did the Governor know and when did he sign off on the course of action that contributed to CO Bush to breaching the laws as stated in the Auditor General’s report?
That rabbit hole gets deeper by the minute.
https://cnslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/OAG-report-Dubai-Expo-and-CI-Overseas-Offices-Examination-of-Potential-Breaches-of-Legislation-Nov-2021.pdf
Well said.
“MI-6 in Paradise”? Clandestine operative hiding in plain sight? 007?
Good comments, with substance, all the same.
24 @ 4:41pm – Don’t be surprised about “MI6 in Paradise” or MI5 presence here. Ever heard of Larry Covington?
In any case, please know that RCIPS has an “analyst” team to keep tabs on ALL electronic communication locally, and they do – whether authorised by Court order or not!
WHO watches the Watchers??
Good question. Wish I knew, but don’t.
Wonder what clandestine operatives are here now? MI-6, MI-5, CIA?
All of the above and DEA
Start by calling it what it really is a “Well Fare System”
Walfare* but yes
Welfare perhaps?
Or..Farewell to the old Cayman .
Hmnnnnn…. civil service and reform.. now that makes absolutely no sense
just like ‘military intelligence’….Two words combined that can’t make sense
The singular and most fundamental principle contained in the Public Service Management Law prohibits civil servants from getting politically involved. This is essential for good governance. Unfortunately both the Governor and Deputy governor have undermined this with various precedent setting appointments and failing to hold persons accountable. Therefore, the principle is no longer worth the paper it is written on. Laws have been broken so there must be consequences for those responsible.
“This progamme, led by the deputy governor…
Now there is the simple non-starter
The joker in pack
Nothing good will come of this “reform”
Ministers cannot hire civil servants or sign contracts. Chief Officers are bound to uphold law and general convention. While I certainly believe Sir Alden has the hubris to have believed the Progressives would have been returned to government, ultimately Eric Bush made these calls signed contracts, broke laws and should be held accountable for that.
Bullshit. The civil service have not followed the laws of the Cayman Islands for a decade. Bound by what? Accountability simply does not exist!
LOL If Franz is leading the program it is all smoke and mirrors it will be another long project that leads to nothing. Wouldn’t be surprised if he appointed EB to project leader and investigate his own actions. Make it make sense lord
“good to excellent”…. are you joking. It takes literally weeks to get shipments through customs when it used to only be a day or two. Do the civil servants give a rats ass that as business you could be out of business waiting on parts and supplies. Not one bit. Who ever is in charge of customs should be held civilly liable for incurred losses that this shit show of a department continues to cause.
Can’t even get parts for the Weather Radar…
Good luck with that one.
pure and utter drivel and waffle.
just read iller shaw or and e7y report….how many recommendations have been implemented?
Didn’t this get the last guy run out of town?
Definitely needed but can’t see it happening…