Topic: Civil Service
Public pensions urge government support for funding plan
Cayman’s Public Service Pensions Board said Tuesday that it is “looking forward” to government’s continued cooperation to ensure long-term stability in the three public sector retirement plans it manages.
Possible 2024 ‘depletion’ of gov’t retirement fund
Unless government increases employee contributions to the main civil service retirement fund, financial advisers estimate that the pension fund for most older government workers and current retirees could be depleted by 2024.
Civil servants deny agreement reached to end free healthcare
The Civil Service Association has strongly denied that any agreement has been reached to end the policy of free healthcare for government workers.
EDITORIAL – The civil service should not be a jobs program
An exchange of words between East End Arden McLean and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson about a young man who didn't secure a job with the Prison Service shed light on what is right with the Cayman Islands government, and what is wrong.
Deputy governor says civil service ‘taking beating’ from lawmakers
The verbal “beating” Cayman Islands government workers sometimes receive from elected lawmakers has made some Caymanians reluctant to join the civil service, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said Friday.
Public sector agencies change job application forms
Two Cayman Islands public sector agencies have pledged to change application forms for future recruitment efforts following revelations that a number of government entities were asking questions about applicants’ “nationality at birth.”
EDITORIAL – Manderson on a worthy mission
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, it appears, has thrown down the other gauntlet.
Civil service fires 16 people in 14 months
Sixteen people have been fired from the Cayman Islands civil service since January 2015, mostly due to what was termed “misconduct.”
Civil servants step up to challenge
Auditor Ruel Huet won the civil servants’ pedometer challenge, clocking in excess of 70,000 steps, the equivalent of around 35 miles a day.
Civil service reform: ‘Seeing is believing’
Selected comments from CaymanCompass.com readers
‘Inadequate performance’ continues in civil service
Despite public warnings issued a year ago, Cayman Islands Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said poor performance in government “continues by some staff.”
When misconduct occurs …
The government’s Public Service Management Law sets out in great detail the steps that must be taken before disciplining an employee for either inadequate performance, minor misconduct or gross misconduct.
Miss Cayman helps launch fitness program
Miss Cayman Islands Monyque Brooks joined with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and other civil servants on Monday to launch an eight-week fitness program, “Off the Couch.”
Public agency job applicants asked nationality, birthplace
A number of Cayman Islands government agencies have used employment application forms in 2015 and 2016 that ask job-seekers to distinguish between their nationality “at birth” and their current nationality, or to provide their “place of birth” on the form.
New court administrator appointed
Senior Crown Counsel Suzanne Bothwell will take over as the court administrator, in charge of management and administration of court operations, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson announced this week.
District civil servant gets kudos from government
Savanah’s Evelyn McTaggart was given the Deputy Governor’s Award for her outstanding service in November 2015.
Liquor board: Shaken, stirred, freshened up
The entertainment industry is too vital a part of Cayman’s economy to become a playing field for political football.
Longtime liquor licensing chairman replaced in board shake-up
A new Liquor Licensing Board is ushered in, along with a new regime for local liquor-related businesses.
The shifting sands beneath the government’s feet
With about a year-and-a-half to go until the 2017 elections, the ground is once again trembling beneath Cayman’s elected government.
New labor and pensions director named
A former pensions inspector, police officer and immigration officer has been named to head the Department of Labour and Pensions, succeeding former director Mario Ebanks.
Premier’s New Year’s message 2016
Fellow Caymanians, residents and guests; Happy New Year.
At year’s end: Future paths, old obstacles
As 2015 draws to a close, the Compass Editorial Board looks at some of the obstacles facing Cayman, a number of which can be turned into opportunities for advancement and improvement.
Top stories of 2015: The year of the report
The theme for government in 2015 may well have been “The Year of the
Report.” Ministers and civil servants have been going through a yearlong
review of the EY Report, which calls for numerous government reforms.
Editorial Year in Review Economic prosperity, education
Compass editorials in 2015 on economic prosperity and education.
Chief immigration officer's fate unresolved
Cayman’s chief immigration officer will be spending her second holiday season on paid suspension, with an administrative matter pending against her remaining unresolved.
Default settings: Banks offer clarity on troubled loans
Amendments to banking codes don't normally appear on anyone's Christmas list. But recent changes made by local bankers are cause for cheer.
'Tax-onomy': Our potholes and pitfalls
Cayman's image as a "low-tax" or even "tax-free" jurisdiction has been most useful as a marketing tool. Unfortunately, it's not entirely true.
50 Years ago: Civil service exodus prediction justified
In the Dec. 15, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote:
From the National Conservation Council
National Conservation Council responds to Compass editorial.
The Council: Conservation consternation
It's difficult (but not impossible) to give the protection of the environment a bad name, but the National Conservation Council is making some headway.
50 years ago: 'Stitch in time' could help Civil Service
Bodden Town notes from 1965
UK fire service veteran named new chief
For the first time since the Cayman Islands Fire Service was created, a non-Caymanian has been appointed to lead the department.
Review: From Island Girl to National Hero
The biography of Miss Sybil McLaughlin offers a compelling look at the life of the Cayman Islands' only living National Hero.
When limited infrastructure limits growth
Cayman's Internet issues comprise one facet of an overarching quandary that calls into question the very economic future of our islands.
Changes coming for government spending
The Cayman Islands government spent more than $95 million last year buying various goods and services from vendors.
Port politics: 'The Council' comes to life
Flexing its muscles against its creator, the National Conservation Council is attempting to impede the Progressives government’s pursuit of the cruise berthing project downtown.
Still no sanctions for breaking finance law
For about a decade, the Cayman Islands Government failed to file consolidated financial statements on time, or in any sort of auditable form, as required by the territory’s Public Management and Finance Law.
Bad loans continue to plague development bank
Almost a third of active loans with the Cayman Islands Development Bank were past due as of the end of the 2013-2014 fiscal year, according to financial statements tabled at the Legislative Assembly this week.
Whistleblower oversight added to understaffed watchdog office
A government watchdog office which has no permanent leadership and whose future has been uncertain for more than a year will be given responsibility for monitoring whistleblower cases, Cayman Islands Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has confirmed.
50 years ago in Bodden Town: Rededicating the church
In the Nov. 17, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote:
Civil servant grads
Twenty-seven civil servants graduated from the Civil Service College, with 20 completing associate degrees in public administration and seven more receiving certificates in public administration.
Retiring airport staff received lucrative 'severance packages'
Some employees at the Cayman Islands Airports Authority received “severance packages” upon their retirement during the government’s 2012/13 budget year, and possibly in prior years, the Cayman Compass has learned.
Bad debts a problem for public health
Over the past decade, the Cayman Islands public healthcare system has failed to collect some $120 million in debts owed for services rendered. (That's a lot of jetways!)
Police raise pay, hold 30 vacancies
Uniformed police officers will get an annual raise of $3,000 to $5,000 under the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s adjusted budget, Police Commissioner David Baines told his officers at their all-staff meeting Tuesday.
When is a 'loan' not a loan?
Following the Progressives' announcement that civil servants' jobs would be safe through the 2017 election, the government has resurrected the Cayman Islands Development bank to provide "loans" to those same public employees.
Government and the EY Report: Why even bother?
The verdict is in: "Project Future" has no future.
EY Report update: Few job cuts, less outsourcing in gov’t plan
Although proposals will initially lead to few job losses and no outsourcing of functions to the private sector, the Cayman Islands government announced Monday that it would seek to move forward with a total of 51 recommendations derived from a 2014 consultant report.
Public liabilities: Health, pensions, Election Day
The first step to addressing a problem is admitting the problem exists. According to that standard, the Cayman Islands government has a serious problem.
Cayman government liable for $1.4B in pensions, healthcare
The Cayman Islands government did not recognize an estimated $1.39 billion in pension and healthcare payments it will owe retirees over the next 20-25 years in its 2013/14 consolidated financial statements.
Whistleblower bill can nullify contracts
Any attempt to prevent workers from reporting wrongdoing against employers by inserting language into their contracts prohibiting such reports would make those contracts illegal and unenforceable, according to proposed whistleblower protection legislation made public last week.
Half-marathon can be done at a stroll
Walking in road races is becoming increasingly popular and provides a great way to stay active, say the organizers of the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, who are encouraging all walkers to participate in the half-marathon.
Opposition Leader Bush sues former governor, police chief
Cayman Islands Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush has filed a lawsuit against Police Commissioner David Baines and former Governor Duncan Taylor alleging they conspired to depose him as Premier of the Cayman Islands.
In a writ of summons, filed with the Grand Court on Wednesday, attorneys acting for Mr. Bush claim the criminal investigation and charges laid against him were politically motivated.
Design mishaps boost school work cost
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work at additional classrooms at North Side district’s Edna Moyle Primary School went nearly 30 percent over budget largely due to design flaws, the Legislative Assembly heard last week.
Collecting our thoughts on government fees
Our government’s most serious and well-documented flaw is how it spends money. Coming in at a close second is how it collects money.
Government delays pensions review release
The Cayman Islands government will not release a financial evaluation originally conducted in 2014 of its three public sector retirement savings plans, which include the plans that provide pensions for thousands of civil servants, until March 2016.
Auditor general report: Government revenue collection ‘open to abuse’
Poor record keeping and a lack of specific criteria for waiving government fees leaves the “revenue collection operations open to abuse,” according to the acting auditor general.
Deputy governor will no longer 'run' Legislative Assembly
The management of day-to-day operations within the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly is expected to be transferred away from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson’s office later this month.
Legal aid reform bill approved
Changes to Cayman’s legal aid system, which have been debated for more than a decade, were approved by a majority of Legislative Assembly members Wednesday amid concerns that the government was blurring lines of separation between elected politicians and the judiciary.
Permanent residence grants: The number is still zero
More than 500 people have applied for permanent residence status under the new Cayman Islands Immigration Law in the past two years. This is how many people have been granted PR status under the new law: Zero.
Stock is helping ambulance drive
The Cayman Heart Fund is raising money for a new ambulance on Grand Cayman, as there are only three in full service at the moment.
Customs staffer is government's employee of the year
A Customs officer who nearly 30 years ago applied nine times for a job in the department before being accepted has been awarded the Cayman Islands government’s Employee of the Year.
Head of the class: Chief Officer Christen Suckoo
Mr. Suckoo, it’s your turn to present.
Key government posts in limbo
The senior ranks of Cayman's civil service are filled with "acting," but not the Hollywood kind.
Civil service develops 'five-year plan'
Cayman Islands Deputy Governor Franz Manderson is commissioning the development of a new five-year strategic plan for the government service.
Education chief appointed on permanent basis
Christen Suckoo has been appointed chief officer in the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs.
Premier: EY report 'review' almost complete
The Cayman Islands government has nearly completed its year-long review of a consulting report that sought to both downsize and improve efficiency of the public sector.
Scientist's death ruled an accident
The death of retired Cayman Islands civil servant Astley McLaughlin has been ruled an accident following a post-mortem examination and subsequent tests, members of Mr. McLaughlin’s family told the Cayman Compass on Friday.
Civil servant takes on new job as minister of religion
A veteran civil servant has resigned her post in Judicial Administration to pursue work of another kind – as a full-time minster of religion.
Top spots remain empty in watchdog posts
When Cayman Islands Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick leaves the jurisdiction next week, all three independent government “watchdog” offices created under Cayman legislation will have no permanent leaders.
Culture shift necessary for e-government system to succeed
A renewed push by government to move more of its business online will require an internal shift in the civil service, as well as with the private sector and the public.
'Brilliant' civil servant, 60, found dead at home
Astley McLaughlin, a retired Cayman Islands government worker, was found dead in his Beach Bay home over the weekend by a family member.
Planning board reappointed after critical report
All members of the Cayman Islands Central Planning Authority have been reappointed in the wake of an audit report.
