First sitting of the 2023/24 Session ~ Commencing September 19, 2023
Private Member’s Motions
Motion on: Supporting Caymanians into Full-Time Employment
WHEREAS the National Community Enhancement Project (NICE) has operated for several years, providing short periods of paid employment for Caymanians and spouses of Caymanians.
AND WHEREAS the Fall 2022 Labour Force Survey found that nearly half (48.8%) of unemployed Caymanians had been out of work for over a year.
AND WHEREAS the Fall 2022 Labour Force Survey found 5.1% underemployment of Caymanians in work.
AND WHEREAS the Fall 2022 Labour Force Survey found labour force participation rates lowest among those with no educational attainment (38.9%) and those with only primary and below levels of attainment (54.3%).
AND WHEREAS the Cayman Islands Beautification Task Force has made little progress in its mission to keep the Cayman Islands ‘Clean and Green’.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Government consider creating a full-time National Community Enhancement Project to give meaningful employment and work experience to Caymanians experiencing long-term unemployment or finding it difficult to access the labour market.
Moved By: MP Joey Hew (Deputy Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town North
Seconded By: Sir Alden McLaughlin
Elected Member for Red Bay
Motion on: The Sale of “Pepper Spray” for Self-defence and Personal Protection.
WHEREAS the incidence of robberies and, in particular, armed robberies in Grand Cayman has increased significantly in recent times;
AND WHEREAS many people are concerned about their safety and the need to defend themselves;
AND WHEREAS a similar motion had been passed unanimously by Parliament on October 12, 2011, but was not taken forward by the then Government.
NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Penal Code, the Firearms Law and any other relevant or consequential legislation be amended to permit the importation and sale by duly licensed pharmacies and drug stores and the use of, subject to appropriate restrictions relating to age and other relevant criteria, chemical sprays such as pepper spray (also known as OC Spray, OC Gas, or Capsicum Spray), and Mace for self-defence and personal protection.
Moved By: MP David Wight
Elected Member for George Town West
Seconded By: Sir Alden McLaughlin
Elected Member for Red Bay
Motion on: CIG to Reintroduce the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage Programme.
WHEREAS, there is a lack of affordable homes in all three Cayman Islands;
AND WHEREAS, this has resulted in great pent-up demand for affordable housing.
AND WHEREAS, there are currently some 700 persons on the waiting list for affordable homes from the National Housing Development Trust (NHDT). In 2021, the waiting list was reported as being 400 persons.
AND WHEREAS, despite its best efforts, the NHDT cannot build homes fast enough to meet this growing demand.
AND WHEREAS, there are Caymanians in the workforce able to repay a mortgage but who struggle to find the required down payment for a mortgage.
AND WHEREAS, Governments in the past had implemented a successful Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage (GGHAM) programme along with local banks.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Government consider re-launching, along with local banks, the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage Programme.
Moved By: MP Joey Hew (Deputy Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town North
Seconded By: Hon Roy McTaggart (Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town East
Motion on: Sister Islands Inflation Relief Initiatives
WHEREAS the population of the Sister Islands equates to 3.2% of the Cayman Islands Population.
AND WHEREAS the 2021 population of the Sister Islands declined by 1.7% since the 2010 Census and has consistently dwindled compared to the overall population since 1970.
AND WHEREAS the recent Consumer Price Index as of March 2023 showed a further increase of 6.6% in inflation compared to March 2022, with this trend expected to continue.
AND WHEREAS taken as a whole, since 2021, the cost of essentials like groceries, utilities and gasoline increased in the USA by over 20% and in the Cayman Islands by about 25%,
AND WHEREAS, due to this increased inflation, the Cayman Islands Government has benefitted from a windfall in additional import duty only because of the significantly increased cost of goods and freight.
AND WHEREAS the cost-of-living crisis has dramatically increased the living cost for families and the cost of doing business, including the costs of bank financing, property and health insurance.
AND WHEREAS most businesses in the Sister Islands, predominantly micro or small businesses, have been especially hit hard by cost increases given their limited customer base.
AND WHEREAS ensuring these businesses survive and thrive is essential to help the Sister Islands’ economy grow and provide jobs.
AND WHEREAS despite Micro Businesses, as defined by the Trade & Business License Act, having license fees completely waived till the end of 2023, there is no guarantee that this will be renewed in future years.
AND WHEREAS the cost of business fees generally in the Sister Islands are not proportionate to the level of business done in the Sister Islands compared to Grand Cayman.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Government consider in the next budget cycle reducing the business licensing and other fees, including for all retail businesses, liquor licensing establishments, restaurants and other types of businesses covered under the Trade & Business Licensing Act or the Liquor Licensing Act, or any other relevant Act as follows:
a) All Micro businesses, as defined by the Trade & Business Licensing Act, in the Sister Islands should be permanently reduced by 100% of the published fee.
b) All other businesses in the Sister Islands would pay 10% of the published fee on an ongoing basis.
AND BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the Government consider in the next budget cycle reducing import duty to residents and businesses of Sister Islands by 25% to provide needed relief with reducing the cost of living on families in the Sister Islands.
Moved By: MP Moses Kirkconnell
Elected Member for Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman
Seconded By: MP Joey Hew (Deputy Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town North
Motion on: Cost of Living Adjustment For Those Receiving
The Ex-Gratia Financial Assistance & The Civil Service Pensions Uplift
WHEREAS between 2017 and 2021, the Recipients of Long-Term Financial Assistance (formerly known as Permanent Financial Assistance) and the Seafarers and Veterans Ex-Gratia Benefit received a 90% increase in benefits, from $500 per month to $950 per month, in recognition of the public duty to ensure that the service to the nation of these beneficiaries is adequately recognised.
AND WHEREAS between 2017 and 2021, qualifying civil service pensioners on meagre pensions were guaranteed an uplift in their pension, such that they would not receive less in total pension than what is provided to those receiving financial assistance from the Government.
AND WHEREAS the value of the assistance provided to those on Long-Term Financial Assistance, the Seafarers & Veteran’s Grants, and the Civil Servants receiving a pension uplift has been severely eroded by inflation over the last three years, the Opposition has been calling for the Government to increase the payment to $1,500 monthly.
AND WHEREAS the Opposition has consistently argued that a priority for Government spending needs to be support for Caymanians facing the cost-of-living crisis.
AND WHEREAS the Government, in August 2023, agreed to increase the stipend payment from $950 to $1,250 in recognition of the need for an increase given the high cost of living. However, Civil Service Pensioners on low pensions did not receive a comparable uplift as done in previous years.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Government consider further increasing the monthly ex-gratia stipend paid to older persons and adults living with permanent disabilities who receive financial assistance, retired seafarers and veterans and their surviving spouses to at least $1,500 effective January 1, 2024.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government consider amending the The Public Service Pensions (Ex-Gratia Uplift Payments) Regulations so that the “Minimum Cumulative Pension” is increased to $1,250 effective August 1, 2023, and to at least $1,500 effective January 1, 2024, to ensure that all civil service pensioners receive a pension of at least that paid to older persons receiving permanent financial assistance from the Government.
Moved By: Sir Alden McLaughlin
Elected Member for Red Bay
Seconded By: Hon Roy McTaggart (Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town East
Motion on: CIG Programme To Encourage Private Sector Schemes For Affordable Homes
WHEREAS, there are currently some 700 persons on the waiting list for affordable homes from the National Housing Development Trust (NHDT). In 2021 the waiting list was reported as being 400 persons.
AND WHEREAS, in addition to the homes already under construction, the NHDT currently has about 69 homes approved to be built as a part of its Affordable Homes scheme – 19 in West Bay, 5 in East End and 45 in Bodden Town.
AND WHEREAS, there are only another 87 homes currently being considered, and not yet approved, to be built in East End and West Bay, with none yet fully confirmed to be built in George Town.
AND WHEREAS the demand for affordable rental housing for Caymanians far exceeds the available supply.
AND WHEREAS there are no Government initiatives focused on improving access to rented housing for Caymanians.
AND WHEREAS, the demand for affordable housing will undoubtedly increase further in the coming years.
AND WHEREAS, despite its best efforts, the NHDT will not be able to produce homes fast enough to meet the demand.
AND WHEREAS, the country needs to utilise private sector builders to fill the gap that government schemes cannot meet.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Government consider developing and incentivising more private sector-built affordable home ownership schemes and home rental schemes with such homes employing reasonable energy savings measures, including solar panels.
Moved By: MP Joey Hew (Deputy Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town North
Seconded By: Hon Roy McTaggart (Leader Of The Opposition)
Elected Member for George Town East
