Tag: Featured
Minister says ignoring DoE advice has led to devastation
(CNS): In a post on her social media pages, Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks recognised that developers’ failure to heed science-based advice from the Department of Environment and the National Conservation Council has had a devastating impact on the Cayman Islands’ environment and economy.
Lawyer argues review of CPA action in blues case is critical
(CNS): The lawyer representing the National Conservation Council, Chris Buttler KC, argued that the court needs to review the actions of the Central Planning Authority in the wake of unlawful land clearing of pristine habitat in blue iguana territory in East End. Buttler said the case is far more than an academic legal exercise. Until […]
Failure to prosecute officials in clinic raid to be reviewed
(CNS): Director of Public Prosecutions Simon Davis has indicated he will review the decision not to prosecute any of the government officials involved in the unlawful raid of the Doctors Express medical facility in 2019. Lawyers representing the clinic filed for a judicial review relating to that decision and the failure of the authorities to […]
NCC and CPA in court over unlawful road in blues territory
(CNS): Questions over whether or not the Central Planning Authority legally cancelled unlawful after-the-fact planning permission granted for a road in East End that cut through critical blue iguana habitat were argued in court Wednesday. The National Conservation Council continues to battle with planning officials and the repeated failure to follow the law and consult […]
UPM drops plans for future trends report
(CNS): Efforts by former premier Wayne Panton to address the chronic information gap in the Cayman Islands and find out more about the demographic, economic, environmental and social trends shaping the country and what direction it should go over the coming decades have been scrapped by the UPM.
Young Caymanian activists protest for managed retreat
(CNS): A group of young Caymanian activists held the first of what is expected to be a series of protests on Sunday, launching a campaign calling for a managed retreat along Seven Mile Beach to save the rapidly disappearing famous stretch of coastline. Ahead of a meeting with government officials and stakeholders, including property owners, […]
Housing policy in works but CIG keeps report secret
(CNS): According to a written answer given by Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks in response to a parliamentary question last week, the government is still trying to complete a “comprehensive Public and Affordable Housing Policy” to tackle the “wicked problem” of the housing crisis in the Cayman Islands. CNS is still waiting for the Cabinet Office […]
Parliament rubber stamps UPM’s $51.8M extra spending
(CNS): Parliament has given the OK for the government to add $51.8 million in extra spending to this year’s budget. On Friday, Finance Committee went through the long list of new expenditures, including $35.4 million in operating expenses and $16.4 million in capital expenditures.
Poinciana price tag rises to almost $23M and counting
(CNS): Health Minister Sabrina Turner, under pressure to answer questions in parliament on Thursday about the new residential mental health facility in East End, said the cost so far had surpassed the original price tag by well over $6 million. Turner denied that she or her ministry team were responsible for the problems and delays […]
CIG to discuss worsening erosion crisis on 7MB
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has finally released a statement on the erosion of Seven Mile Beach, which Climate Resiliency Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks called “an urgent national matter” but which many people are calling a national crisis. In a press release issued Thursday evening, she said the CIG was keen to find a sustainable solution. […]
5% COLA for civil servants plus review of lower salaries
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has announced the approval of a 5% increase in the cost of living allowance for civil servants, which will start on 1 January. She said the pay raise is to address the widening gap between salaries and the rate of inflation, and there is a need to bolster overall compensation packages […]
