Policy
PACT preparing new policy on duty waivers
(CNS) The Cayman Islands Government is working on a new policy that is likely to upend the traditional approach to duty waivers and other concessions. Premier Wayne Panton told CNS that past administrations had given up revenue in exchange for jobs or to boost economic activity. But Cayman’s priorities have changed, he said, and PACT […]
QC argues hospital case has no business in court
(CNS): Doctors Hospital has brought an academic question to the court challenging the government’s deals with two medical tourism facilities but it has no standing to bring any legal case, Tom Hickman QC argued on Wednesday. The British lawyer has been hired by the Attorney General’s Chambers to respond to the judicial review brought by […]
Hospital argues that deals can’t fetter tax collection
(CNS): A lawyer representing Doctors Hospital made a comprehensive argument in court on Wednesday that the contracts signed by the UDP government with Health City Cayman Islands in 2010 and by the Unity government with Aster Cayman Medcity weeks before the 2021 election, both of which waived fees, cannot legally bind other administrations’ collection of […]
Four more years before WTE facility opens
(CNS): Cabinet has approved a new negotiation deadline to finalise its deal with Dart for the proposed waste-to-energy facility and a new system to manage the Cayman Islands’ rubbish, including recycling. Government and the islands’ wealthiest investor now have six more months to iron out the details of the ReGen project.
Board chair says bosses are abusing WP process
(CNS): Richard Barton, chair of the Business Staffing Plan Board (BSPB), said in a letter to the labour minister that he had seen clear evidence of employers abusing Cayman’s work permit process and dodging their legal responsibility to recruit and retain Caymanian workers or those with a Residency and Employment Rights Certificate (RERC) before seeking […]
PACT to spend $21M to rescue beaches
(CNS): The PACT Government has committed to investing a significant amount of money in sustainability and climate resiliency. Premier Wayne Panton said the Cayman Islands no longer has the time to ignore what is happening and not do something to build more resiliency and mitigate for what is coming.
André promises radical change for those in need
(CNS): Social Development Minister André Ebanks has promised “transformative change” across the social services landscape of the Cayman Islands, which includes repealing and replacing the “horribly titled” Poor People’s Relief Act in the first quarter of next year and a significant increase in investment in what will become the Financial Assistance Department. According to the […]
Panton heading to climate summit in Glasgow
(CNS): Officials have confirmed that Premier Wayne Panton, the Cayman Islands’ first ever minister for climate resiliency, will be travelling to Scotland this weekend to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)Â in Glasgow. Panton will join the UK delegation and have access to the Blue Zone, the United Nations-managed space that […]
PACT goal remains to reopen without retreat
(CNS): The PACT government’s goal remains to reopen the borders to tourists in the coming weeks without having to close them again or see the country go back into any kind of lockdown. Premier Wayne Panton has said that government will give the country a month’s notice when it sets a date for lifting isolation […]
DG: No vaccine mandate for local civil servants
(CNS): Deputy Governor Franz Manderson told Parliament on Tuesday that he is extremely concerned about the safety of civil servants on the front line who will not take the vaccine. During the debate on changes to immigration laws to mandate vaccinations for work permit holders, he said that, given the position of the elected government […]
Health ministry needs more staff to manage workload
(CNS): The failure of the Ministry of Health to implement long standing recommendations by the Office of the Auditor General relating to healthcare provision is due to a lack of senior staff, Acting Chief Officer Nellie Pouchie told the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday.
