Billboards posted in at least three constituencies depicting messages and the images of two ministers and the House Speaker have been called into question after confirmation that the signs require planning permission.
Following queries from the Cayman Compass about the PSA billboards, the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, in a brief statement, said, “The Central Planning Authority (CPA) resolved that these signs will require grant of planning permission. In light of the foregoing, the Department of Planning is drafting guidance notes for persons seeking permission to erect signs of this nature for CPA’s consideration, and will publish said guidance once approved.”
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, who is one of the three officials with billboards, said it has been an effective communication tool to reach his constituents.
“[It is] direct to the people. Not all of our people are on social media (seniors) like our grassroots people or those who cannot afford social media infrastructure (internet/smart phones),” he told the Cayman Compass as he responded to concerns raised.
Signs of the times?
Questions about the signs, which appear political in nature by virtue of the images of the government officials being depicted, as well as the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms, were raised in a recent letter to the editor sent in by attorney Richard Barton.
In his letter entitled ‘Remove the billboards’, Barton wrote “the failure to speak up when our shared sense of values are offended, such as with the case of political billboards masked as altruistic PSAs, only seems to embolden further inappropriate acts by our political leaders”.
He pointed out that the messages “‘GET BOOSTED’, ‘BE PREPARED’, ‘HAPPY EASTER’ are but a few of the phrases commonly used, in a poor attempt, to cloak images of political figures well outside the election period.”
None of the signs under scrutiny, based on communication with the Ministry of Planning and two of the three MPs, appear to have planning permission and there’s a grey area on whether they require permission. At least, from the MPs’ perspective.
Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan, whose signs are predominantly located in the George Town Central constituency told the Compass he was aware of the issues being raised.
He said he was currently awaiting the planning director to advise whether permission is needed for PSA billboards.
“I have been advised that CPA will be discussing the matter at the next meeting on Aug 3rd to give clarity around permissions for PSAs,” he added.
His billboards have been up since last year and the messages on them have been changed over time.
It is the same case with the billboards posted by House Speaker Bush and the minister with responsibility for planning, Jay Ebanks.
Bush, when contacted on the issue, questioned why permission was even required.
“When since these 4×8 public service exhortations or notices assisting/reminding my constituents of a deadly virus….when does that need planning permission? I’m not commercially advertising anything for sale. What happen with these kinds of billboards all these years? During election campaigns and so often in other times? My 2 I count as notices and reminders to the public as a public service billboard! And not unreasonable ones. [I] Never had to get planning permission in 10 general elections,” he told the Compass Monday following queries about his billboards in the West Bay West constituency.
On the issue of who paid for the signs, Bush stated, “You come here demanding who paid for them? It’s like amongst other expenditure that we do as an MP …. Give and give and give from our own salary to public causes for the good of individuals and for the wider public good!” he said.
Bryan confirmed he has been paying out-of-pocket for his signs, which he has consistently posted in the constituency since first taking office.
Ebanks is yet to respond to Compass questions.
Initially, the structures were used during the election season last year to host the MPs’ campaign banners.
According to the Planning Department’s Grand Cayman signs guidelines (2014 revision), during election season, such signs are allowed and do not require planning permission.
However, the messaging has changed from that of campaign messaging to promoting vaccinations or hurricane safety.
Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell, when asked for comment on the political nature of the signs and, if they infringe on election rules outside of an election season, said the signs that are up now would be be a matter for the Planning Department.
“The signs for the voting were removed prior to Election Day, some by removing the vinyl prints. In some cases the wood structures remained, and those may now be in use for other “non-election” messages and would fall within the domain of Planning,” Howell said.
The uniformity of the signs, for example the colour themes and the phrasing ‘Together We Can,’ have also raised questions about whether this constitutes a political alliance or entity.
However, Bryan, whose campaign slogan was ‘Together we can,’ said, “We are in the same government remember. That’s why they look the same.”
He did add, however, that “a proper [Party] formation may be necessary, who it should be is another thing.”
55 signs removed
Just recently, Planning and the National Roads Authority conducted an island-wide sweep of signs within the roadway shoulders, sidewalks and medians, removing approximately 55 signs collected between West Bay and East End on the 28 June.
The MPs’ signs, however, were untouched.
The NRA and Department of Planning, in a statement on the sign removals, reminded property owners and residents of the hazards of obstructing pedestrian areas, and business owners of the dangers of placing private signs on sidewalks.
“These signs pose great risk to our pedestrians as they may have to step-out into the road to avoid the sign,” said NRA Managing Director Edward Howard.
National Roads Authority and Planning, the statement said, will be conducting similar sweeps two-to-three times annually, in order to manage the number of encroachment violations.
The public is also reminded that, under the Roads Act, road encroachments carry fines of up to $5,000. These signs require planning permission and, if not done, may be removed by planning officials at the owners’ expense.
All collected signs are being stored by the NRA at the Poindexter Rd stockpile and owners who wish to retrieve their sign(s) should call 946-7780 or email [email protected] to arrange pick-up.
To report an encroachment or obtain more information, call the NRA on 946-7780 or email [email protected].
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