Politics
Local gambling connected to foreign crime syndicates
(CNS): Premier Wayne Panton, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Attorney General Sam Bulgin have all stressed that law enforcement agencies in the Cayman Islands are increasingly concerned that illegal gambling here is directly connected to international and organised crime syndicates and is generating as much as $50 million each year in illicit earnings.
Complaints about police fall sharply during 2021
(CNS): The number of complaints received about the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service fell significantly in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the newly released annual report from the Office of the Ombudsman. Complaints decreased to 28 last year compared to 57 in 2020. Only four of the complaints were resolved after a […]
MPs debate planned vote on ganja and lottery
(CNS): A government motion to hold a referendum on introducing a national lottery and decriminalising cannabis was debated in parliament on Wednesday, stirring up different views across both sides of the House. However, the motion succeeded and the government now intends to draft a referendum bill in the New Year. But the motion only proposes […]
Dart refunded over $1M in stamp duty and fees
(CNS): The Dart-led consortium currently negotiating the contract with the government to deliver the Cayman Islands’ solid waste management system has received a refund from the public purse of over C$1 million for stamp duty and land registry charges. The refund was noted in the summary of the Cabinet meeting held on 29 November but […]
Revenue rolls in but public spending set to increase
(CNS): The government headed into the final quarter of this year with a healthy and better than expected surplus, but while revenue is still rolling in, expenditure is now rising. As government entities make a final push to meet planned objectives for 2022, the current surplus is likely to be “significantly reduced” over the last […]
Public service faces new rules for election campaigns
(CNS): An administrative circular has been issued to all public servants setting out the rules regarding their work and decision-making during the “Period of Election Sensitivity”. Public sector workers have been given guidance on how issues such as negotiations, consultations and the use of government resources for political purposes should be handled from Nomination Day […]
NAU clients to get $150 Christmas bonus
(CNS): Anyone receiving the government’s permanent financial assistance through the Needs Assessment Unit will get an extra $150 on top of their monthly payment in December for additional support during the holiday period. André Ebanks, the minister responsible for social development, said, “Our government recognises that there are many vulnerable persons in our community who […]
Parliament to debate car imports, tall buildings
(CNS): Two private members’ motions set to be presented in parliament next week will see MPs debate the issue of increasing the current building height limits to 20 or even 30 storeys, and restricting car imports to alleviate traffic congestion. Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has filed a motion calling on the government to “consider as […]
Opposition to question minister on potential recession
(CNS): When legislators meet in parliament next week, among the 21 parliamentary questions that members of the opposition intend to put to the government, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart will be asking Finance Minister Chris Saunders what the chances are that the Cayman Islands will face a recession next year. McTaggart wants to know the “government’s […]
ID register will be optional in face of backlash
(CNS): The minister responsible for innovation, André Ebanks, has said that following feedback and concerns in the community about the new legislation supporting the long-awaited national identification programme, changes are now being made to the bills due to go before parliament next week. The most significant is a decision to make the population register optional. […]
Ebanks-Wilks voted speaker, Seymour as deputy
(CNS): Katherine Ebanks-Wilks (WBC) is the new speaker following a vote by MPs in parliament on Friday. Although she has been an MP for just 19 months, she beat the only other person nominated, opposition member Sir Alden McLaughlin (RED), who has served in the legislature for more than 20 years, by ten votes to […]
