Up Front
Budget Short $7.8m
Leader of Government Business, Hon. KurtTibbetts and Senior Government Information Officer, Pat Ebanksassure the media of an improved relationship at a press conferenceon Monday, 27th November.
Leader of Government Business, Hon. KurtTibbetts says that this year's budgetary shortfall is projectedat $7.8 million.
He made the announcement at a press conference on Monday, 27thNovember, at which he also confirmed that there will be a meetingof the Finance Committee of the Legislative Assembly on Monday,4th December. This session will be open to the media, the Ministersaid.
As the Minister for Planning, Communications and Works, Mr. Tibbettsgave the assurance that there will be no curtailment of capitalprojects which were started by the previous adminstration, butthat "there will be swift, corrective measures to be putin place.
"These will be allowed to run for the first year," hesaid, with a view of not attempting to start any more major projectsduring this period. "Cash flow will be kept under close scrutiny,"he promised.
He said that the controlling officers and the Permanent Secretariesin each portfolio have already been briefed "to look forsavings ... while not lessening services" provided by Government.
He said that one of the strains government is still facing isthe advance of some $17m for overseas medical services, some ofwhich "may be unrecoverable."
While pledging to implement another form of accounting, otherthan the present "cash-based" system which does notprovide the reporting required to better manage its finances,he said that the amounts owed by many could be treated in government'saccounts as receivables.
He cited one area of concern as the cost of hiring, training andwork to be carried out by the significant increase in staff requiredto meet the obligations of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.This is expected to be doubled, or even tripled, Mr. Tibbettssaid.
He said that Government will be looking to the Financial Industryfor its input in helping to identify areas in which the CaymanIslands can attract additional revenue.
"We need a wider revenue base, and we will be looking tothe private financial sector to bring us its recommendations.We will not simply be adding more taxes," he said.
"Better untilization of Government's existing resources andits people" is how he addressed an idea whereby the $10-millionPedro's Castle development could have included a 10-room hoteland restaurant. "Through efficiency we will be able to savea lot in delivering the tourism product and other areas,"he said.
Pointing to Cayman Airways, the Minister revealed that he hada meeting planned with the management of the airline on Wednesday,29th November and that he requested a true picture of the NationalFlag Carrier's position, "not one that was glossed over."
He noted that his Government will be focusing on the vocationaltraining of Caymanians prior to and after high school, to enablethem to find well paying jobs in the workplace.
The Minister's presentation followed an informal session withthe press, which addressed the media's relationship with the newGovernment, its elected members and the role of Government InformationServices (GIS).
Addressing the Government's ability to respond to press inquiries,Mr. Tibbetts was supported by Chief Information Officer, Pat Ebanks,who confirmed that the staff of GIS is now working on maintaininga schedule whereby information requried by the media must be deliveredwith a 24-hour period.
Mr. Tibbetts confirmed that a Freedom of Information Act was passedin the Legislative Assembly in 1998, but was not enforced underthe "climate of the previous Government." He said thatthis will not be the case with this administration.