Of the six private member’s motions the Opposition plans to present to Parliament at its upcoming sitting, four address issues related to Cayman’s high cost of living.
The Progressives are looking for support from their fellow MPs to drive discussion on additional affordable homes, mortgage assistance, inflation-relief initiatives and stipend increases.
The first motion, moved by Joey Hew, MP for George Town North, is asking the government to develop and incentivise private-sector-built affordable home ownership and rental schemes.
The homes should employ energy-saving measures, such as solar panels, the motion adds.
It says there are about 700 people on the waiting list for affordable homes from the National Housing Development Trust, increasing from 400 people in 2021.
The trust has about 69 homes to be built as part of its affordable homes scheme and another 87 are being considered but not yet approved.
Despite its best efforts, the motion says, the trust cannot build homes fast enough to meet the growing demand.
“The country needs to utilise private sector builders to fill the gap that government schemes cannot meet,” Hew writes.
He adds that the demand for affordable rental housing for Caymanians far exceeds the available supply and there are no government initiatives focused on this issue.
A second motion, also moved by Hew, asks the government and local banks to consider relaunching the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage programme.
This has been successful in the past, the motion said, and will help working Caymanians who can repay a mortgage but struggle to find the required down payment.
Sister Islands support
A third motion, moved by Moses Kirkconnell, MP for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, asks the government to cut import duty by 25% for residents and businesses of the Sister Islands.
It also asks that business licences and other fees for retailers, liquor sellers and restaurants be reduced in the next budget cycle.
The motion says most businesses in the Sister Islands, particularly micro or small businesses, have been hit especially hard by the cost-of-living crisis.
A fourth motion, moved by Sir Alden McLaughlin, MP for Red Bay, asks for an increase to the monthly ex-gratia stipend for the disabled, retired seafarers and veterans to $1,500.
This should be effective from 1 Jan. 2024, the motion says.
It also asks for an adjustment to the Public Service Pension (Ex-Gratia Uplift Payments) Regulations so that the minimum paid to civil service pensioners is also $1,500.
“The Opposition has consistently argued that a priority for government needs to be support for Caymanians facing the cost of living crisis,” McLaughlin writes in his motion.
Clean and green
A fifth motion, again moved by Hew, asks the government to consider creating a full-time National Community Enhancement Project, known as NiCE.
This would give meaningful employment and work experience to Caymanians in long-term unemployment or finding it difficult to access the labour market, it says.
The project, which has operated for several years, has offered short periods of paid employment, the motion adds.
Hew writes that the Cayman Islands Beautification Task Force has made little progress in its mission to keep the Cayman Islands ‘clean and green’.
The Opposition’s final motion that was stamped on Monday, 11 Sept. for presentation in Parliament asks the government to consider legalising pepper spray and mace for self-defence.
Parliament will gather on 19 Sept. for the first meeting of the 2023-2024 session.
One government motion will be presented along with nine private member’s motions, including the six above from the Opposition.
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