Al Thompson New head of the CPA

By Tad Stoner
tad@caymannetnews.com

Government appointed a new Central Planning Authority (CPA) on Thursday, 11 June, putting Board veteran and high-profile businessman Al Thompson in charge, and naming a number of political supporters and construction industry figures as members.

At the same time, whispers gained momentum that Planning Department Director Kenneth Ebanks would move to the Ministry of Works, while his replacement would come from within department ranks.

Former CPA Chairman Dalkeith Bothwell said he had been asked last week not to schedule board meetings, pending new appointments, and that he was not surprised to learn the news.

“It’s customary once the government changes,” he said, “and the Board’s appointments were due to expire on 31 July, but the incoming government decided otherwise.”

The CPA, which normally meets every two weeks, adjudges all applications for construction and development in the Cayman Islands, ensuring adherence to legal requirements and promoting government policies.

Architects, contractors and others in the industry have long complained, however of delays, red tape and frustrations within the Planning Department, blaming it for a range of woes.

New CPA Chairman Al Thompson -- owner of A L Thompson’s Home Depot, 15-year veteran of the board and one-time chairman -- said he hoped to see improvements in the panel’s operation.

“I am hoping to make some changes, and would like to see the board prepared to work with the public. I want to see a kinder, gentler board that will welcome foreign investors and local developers and builders,” he said, describing inclusive policies.

“Every board is a little different than the one before. The previous board was not bad. It’s a political appointment, but you also have to carry out the legislation,” Mr Thompson said.

He acknowledged the complaints about the Planning Department, but declined to lay blame:

“It was very cumbersome and bureaucratic,” he told Cayman Net News, “and things were bottlenecked.”

Retaining their seats on the board were Ray Hydes, Rex Miller and Eldon Rankin.

New members comprise Mr Thompson as chairman, Peterkin Berry, Helbert Rodrigues, Steve McLaughlin, Gillard McLaughlin, Antonio Smith, Philip Hydes, Allan Myles and Peter Campbell.

Retiring members are Arden Parsons, Attlee Bodden, Robert Watler, Arek Joseph, Trent McCoy, Fred Whittaker, Darrell Ebanks, Owen Rankine and Ernie Hurlston.

Mr Thompson, who was uncertain when the CPA would meet next, rejected any suggestion that, as owner of the Cayman Islands largest building supplier, he might have a conflict of interest.

“I have sat for more than 15 years on the Planning Authority -- I was first appointed in the late ‘70s -- and I spent three years as chairman. Never have I used this in any way,” he said.

“To be quite honest, I don’t need it. I don’t know how I could do something. All CPA decisions become public. In fact, I’d love to see the CPA open up to the public, just as, for example, the Liquor Licencing Board is open. Why shouldn’t all boards be public?”