Architect Andrew Gibb has resigned as chair of the National Trust Council following public concerns over his involvement in a project to build a five-star resort in Beach Bay.
The St. James Point resort, a 125-room hotel and condo development in the Bodden Town area, drew criticism from some neighbours. Aspects of the project, which includes some building on the beach, are opposed by the Department of Environment and the National Trust.
Some opponents of the project highlighted the fact that Gibb, an architect who presented the plans on behalf of the developer at a meeting of the Central Planning Authority last month, was also the chairman of the Trust as a potential conflict of interest.
At the time, the Trust defended its chairman, saying he had provided “incalculable value” to the organisation over the years. Nadia Hardie, the Trust’s executive director, said its official positions were agreed by a council of 17 members, and any member recused themselves from debates that conflicted with their outside business interests.
She said she did not believe that Gibb’s professional role as an architect should be a concern and that it had not stopped her from publicly advocating against aspects of the development in a National Conservation Council meeting.
Nonetheless, the Trust confirmed this week that Gibb had resigned during its annual general meeting last week.
“At the meeting, Trust Chairman Andrew Gibb tendered his resignation from the Council due to the public controversy surrounding his involvement with the proposed Beach Bay resort development,” the Trust said in a statement.
Hardie said she had nothing further to add to that statement. Gibb was not available for comment Tuesday.
Nine new members were elected to the council from a field of 15 candidates at the Trust’s annual general meeting last Wednesday.
Hardie said, “I wish we could have elected all of the nominees, as each had outstanding credentials and showed a real passion for protecting the Cayman Islands.”
The new council is scheduled to meet for the first time in early October, when the chairman’s resignation will be discussed.
The incoming Trust Council are: Peter Davey and Neil Sherlock, who will return for a period of two years as vice chair and treasurer, respectively; general members Olson Anderson, Joannah Bodden Small, Patricia Bradley, Melanie Carmichael, Darvin Ebanks, Catherine Frazier, Lisa-Ann Hurlston-McKenzie, Hannah Reid and Debra Vascik; and elected District Committee chairs Betty Bua (Little Cayman), Alice Mae Coe (West Bay), Suzan Merren (George Town), Chris Randall (Cayman Brac) and Robert Wood (Bodden Town).
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