GovernmentMinisters share plans with Civil Servants
Hon. McKeeevaBush, Hon. Linford Pierson , Hon. Roy Bodden, Hon. Gilbert McLean,Hon. Dr. Frank McField
In what could be considered a pro-activemove by Ministers of Executive Council of the Government, planswere shared and there was a call for closer partnerships in ameeting attended by a record turnout of the civil service's topechelon at a meeting earlier this month at the Grand PavilionCommercial Centre.
The first of what are expected to be quarterlycommunication forums with managers across the civil service wasan "inspiring evening," summed up Leader of GovernmentBusiness McKeeva Bush at the end of the three-hour exchange. "Asministers, we would like to repeat this as often as is practicable,"he said. The ministers plan to host a retreat with permanent secretariesin order to assess and develop policies, incorporating suggestionsby managers attending the meeting.
The forum took the form of presentationsby the five ministers on key developments and issues in theirrespective ministries. A question and answer period followed.Topics touched included adequate resources to cope with growingcrime, long-term responses to social issues, external initiativesimpacting the financial industry, parity of benefits between growingnumbers of "authorities" and the regular civil service,human rights and immigration issues, and transparency and freedomof information.
In their presentations, ministers stressed the need for unityamong all sectors of the civil service and the importance of modernisation.They underlined that an essential ingredient was the civil service'sability to "adapt rather than grow."
"Given the number of initiatives impactingthe civil service and indeed the Cayman Islands, it is imperativethat the government and its most trusted senior advisors uniteto embrace change and to equip ourselves for the daunting challengeswhich lie ahead," said Minister Bush. "The civil servicemust be sufficiently flexible to meet societal needs without simplyexpanding to accommodate these needs. In short, as new challengesarise, the service must adapt rather than simply grow."
Other ministers stressed the complementarynature of roles among ministers and the civil service, as wellas between both groups. "There is no rivalry between ministers,"Education Minister Roy Bodden said in outlining his key initiatives."It is important that we do well -- and the survival anddevelopment of the country depends on our setting the proper tonefor the relationship between policymakers and implementers."He said that high on his agenda was the re-structuring of theEducation Department and of the Government's offering in secondaryeducation, initiatives that included a new high school and a newmodern education law. He would be striving for innovative programmesfor improving and developing people, he said, while ensuring thatlegislative frameworks were responsive to needs.
Similarly calling for closer working relationships,Health and District Administration Minister Gilbert McLean reassuredattendees of his faith in their expertise.
Outlining his key initiatives, he mentionedefforts to convert the Health Services to an authority by 1 Julyand said that a select committee was working on changing the currenthealth insurance law, with a new law expected by June. He touchedon arrangements for introducing a self-funding health insurancescheme for civil servants. He was also concerned to replace thecurrent exclusive arrangements for tertiary care with the Miami-basedBaptist Hospital with "centres of excellence" basedon "best place, best price." An improved health practitionerslaw was anticipated.
Community Services Minister Frank McFieldalso called for greater cohesion among all sectors of the publicservice. "The job we have to do demands we have a relationshipwith each other," Dr. McField said. "If we all worktogether we will know what each other's needs are andwill knowthe people's needs." Within this framework, a multi-disciplinaryapproach was important, he said.
Communications Minister Linford Piersonspoke about the liberalisation of telecommunications as a catalystfor economic development and reported good progress in talks withCable and Wireless, September being the projected date for introductionof competition. He said a joint private/public sector marketinginitiative would bolster the resulting anticipated growth of theebusiness sector.
Reporting on other spheres of his wide-rangingministry, Mr. Pierson said that an audit of CUC's licence wasbeing undertaken by the Auditor General's Office. He promisedcivil servants that the project to expand Government facilitieswould move ahead and he spoke with pride of MRCU's eradicationprogramme that has ensured that Cayman remains free of denguefever, an achievement exceptional for the region.
In other key announcements Mr. Bush revealedthe services of the newly announced Investment Bureau would beprovided through the Marketing and Promotions Unit of the Portfolioof Finance. (The Investment Bureau is aimed at providing a one-stopshop for investors and at maximising the return on Government'sinvestments in tourism and financial services.) This flexibilityin incorporating new services within existing resources was citedas an example of "innovation, cooperation and efficiencies"necessary to take the public service culture forward. "Thesimple truth is, despite significant attempts to raise revenue,it is no longer economically feasible to support all aspects ofgovernment services at their present levels," Minister Bushsaid.
The Investment Bureau was an important initiativein tackling the economic slowdown, which was a continuing priority."We aim to stimulate economic activity by means of aggressivelypursuing appropriate investment and fostering an environment whichis conducive to responsible development. In a nutshell, our objectiveis 'to roll up the red tape and roll out the red carpet.'"
In conjunction with the establishment of the Investment Bureau,investment offices would be established in London and New Yorktoward the end of the year.
The economic stimulus package included newsof a twice weekly, non-stop service by American Airlines fromJFK, to commence 15 June. Talks were also in progress with anothermajor airline for further services from Cayman's fastest growingmarket, the Northeast US. The Tourism Department would be convertedto an authority to facilitate a joint public/private approach,while enhancing land-based attractions and encouraging the developmentof new sites.
It was imperative, Mr. Bush said, to balancedevelopment against environmental and social impacts, and a newvehicle for managing the competing interests of growth and preservationwas a proposed Growth Management Board. "The board will considerpotential development projects and provide comprehensive adviceto Executive Council," he explained.
"I believe that striking a balancebetween development and the environment is an integral part ofachieving economic sustainability and preserving our Caymanianway of life," Mr. Bush said, announcing new legislative initiativesto bolster environmental protection.
Specific outcomes from the meeting includeda decision to engage in regular and direct communication withExecutive Council on policing matters; a reaffirmation of theimportance of responding to immediate needs while tackling socialproblems from a long-term perspective; and a reaffirmation ofthe need to respond to the many international requirements fromperspective of impact of growing globalisation. There was alsoa plea for civil servants to equip themselves to engage in positivedialogue on the operations of the financial sector when they travelabroad, and an agreement for establishment of a policy forum forsenior managers.