cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 24-30 June 2022 Dart buys Sister Islands electricity company Page 5 In photos: Power of the Purse Page 10 Extra Long Philly Cheeseburger © 2022 Burger King Corporation. Philly Cheese Cayman's pet problem Overpopulation fuelling animal abuse and neglect Pages 22-24 PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER LIVING EDITOR VICKI WHEATON HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers. SEA STATE Slight with a wave height of 1 to 3 feet. WINDS East to southeast at 5 to 10 knots. 88°F HIGH 76°F LOW Couple pleads guilty to quarantine breach A man and a woman accused of breaching Cayman’s COVID-19 quarantine regulations, by eating lunch too closely together while the man was quarantining at his home, have both entered guilty pleas before the Summary Court. Appearing before Magistrate Phillipa McFarlane on 21 June, Craig Wilson Author and Leslie Esmera Bodden Lucas pleaded guilty to failing to comply with COVID-19 regulations. The charges alleged that Author allowed Bodden Lucas to visit his Red Bay home during a time when it was designated as a quarantine address, and that Bodden Lucas, knowing this fact, still visited the location. According to court documents, Author and Bodden Lucas were a couple, and she brought him lunch on 27 Aug. 2021 while he was in mandatory quarantine after having recently returned to Cayman. “She then returned to her vehicle to retrieve hers and proceeded to sit on the other side of the porch to have her lunch,” reads a police report attached to the court documents. The documents state the Bodden Lucas was approximately 20 feet away from Author and spent 15 minutes at the location. When Public Health officials visited the location, they observed that Lucas Bodden was not wearing a mask. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 11 July. Both defendants were released on bail. Snorkellor dies in East End Police on Tuesday morning, 21 June, recovered the body of 54-year-old Jason Douglas Brant, a visitor from Colorado who was reported missing while snorkelling off the Wyndham Reef Resort in East End the day before. The body was found on the shore, off Queen’s Highway, shortly before 8am. A search for Brant had been launched on Monday afternoon. Cayman Islands Coast Guard vessels and the RCIPS helicopter conducted searches of the water, while police officers and members of the public searched on land and along the shoreline. Visiting members of the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who are in Cayman to take part in maritime search and rescue training with the Coast Guard, assisted with the searches at sea and the overall coordination of search efforts, the RCIPS said. The searches continued until just before 7pm Monday and resumed at 5am Tuesday. According to police, the man was found unresponsive on the shore about three hours after the morning’s search began. Emergency services attended the scene and he was subsequently pronounced dead. Police said the matter is under investigation. Police investigate firearm report Police are investigating a firearm incident in East End, in which a weapon was brandished during an altercation. In a statement released by the RCIPS, officers responded to a report of a disturbance at an address on Eastland Drive on Saturday, 18 June, shortly after 12:30am. It was reported that several people at the address were involved in an altercation, where at least one person had a firearm, while another brandished a machete. Police said when officers arrived, multiple vehicles were seen leaving the location. Two of the vehicles were stopped by officers and searches were conducted; however, no firearms or other weapons were found. “It is known that a number of persons were present at this event and police are keen for any of these witnesses to come forward with information,” police said. Navy ice patrol ship bound for Caribbean in hurricane season The Royal Navy ship HMS Protector will be deployed to the region from 1 Aug. to provide hurricane and disaster relief capabilities, Governor Martyn Roper announced on 22 June. The warm waters of the Caribbean Ocean will be a change for the vessel, which is the Royal Navy’s only Ice Patrol Ship. According to the Royal Navy website, the HMS Protector “calls the freezing waters of Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere home”. If storm predictions prove to be accurate, the crew on board may find that their assistance will be needed. This year’s hurricane season is predicted to be another above-average season, for the seventh consecutive year. The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, is forecasting between 14 to 21 named storms, of which up to 10 could develop into hurricanes, and between three to six could become major hurricanes of category 3, 4 or 5. HMS Protector is capable of producing fresh water supplies and has pre-loaded emergency relief stores on board, including emergency generators and building materials. It also has a small medical facility and medical stores on board and its crew includes engineers, logistics personnel and a relief team. The Navy describes the ship as its “Swiss army knife – red, versatile, and always there when you need her”. As well as the HMS Protector being able to offer disaster- relief assistance in the region if the need arises, the governor said there are other “extensive capabilities held at readiness in the UK, should they be required”. Outside experts to work on radar International experts are set to meet with the National Weather Service on Friday to assess and commence repairs on the Doppler radar, Director General John Tibbetts said. Speaking on the Cayman Compass talkshow ‘The Resh Hour’ on 22 June, Tibbetts said the team will be reviewing the damage and any necessary repairs to the dome. “Locally we do not have the expertise,” he said, as he addressed the timing of a fix for the damaged weather radar. The Kearney Gomez Doppler Radar, which is located in High Rock, East End, is used to detect and track precipitation. The radar went offline on 21 Oct. last year and has been out of service since. However, the back-up generator which failed last year has been repaired, Tibbetts said. HMS Protector will arrive in the Caribbean region on 1 Aug. - Photo: Royal Navy news in brief cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022The Concierge team is standing by, the pools are lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charged, the boats are wet and the oceanfront lagoon awaits. All that is missing is you! Either for a quick break or a longer jaunt, the FIN Rental Program o ers both short and long term options. Beautifully appointed single level homes or multi-level penthouses with private rooftop garden and plunge pool, are ready to purchase and/or rent. Book a viewing or call today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. The Concierge team is standing by, the pools are lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charged, the boats are wet and the oceanfront lagoon awaits. All that is missing is you! Either for a quick break or a longer jaunt, the FIN Rental Program o ers both short and long term options. Beautifully appointed single level homes or multi-level penthouses with private rooftop garden and plunge pool, are ready to purchase and/or rent. Book a viewing or call today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. The Concierge team is standing by, the pools are lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charged, the boats are wet and the oceanfront lagoon awaits. All that is missing is you! Either for a quick break or a longer jaunt, the FIN Rental Program o ers both short and long term options. Beautifully appointed single level homes or multi-level penthouses with private rooftop garden and plunge pool, are ready to purchase and/or rent. Book a viewing or call today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022Cayman looks to partner with Barbados on creation of local public bus system I used to “catch bus” from Oistins to Speightstown [in Barbados] to go to school each day. Cayman would do well to emulate this public transport and finally offer reliable and affordable green solutions for its people. – William Inniss In London, UK, well over 90% of journeys are by public transport. This is irrespective of levels of wealth and car ownership, as it is simply quicker and easier than sitting in traffic. Buses need bus lanes that are ONLY used by buses, and where CCTV and rear-facing cameras on buses, etc., create instant fines that deter cars from entering those lanes. This works, e.g. in Edinburgh where airport buses go fast into the city centre as they have such lanes, often in less than half the time of rush hour traffic in cars and trucks. I welcome this move, and at the same time recognise that we must have the bravery to move past the idea that we will always be dominated by cars. – Tom McCallum Caymanians and visitors die in collisions on local roads and at Grand Cayman roundabouts. The too-narrow roads can’t handle the monstrous growth of car traffic. Building wider roads in Grand Cayman isn’t the solution to this problem. Wider roads will only lead to more cars. The Cayman Islands in partnership with Barbados to create a national bus route system will make traffic on the Big Island far more bearable. This idea of partnering with Barbados in buses and bus routes is an idea whose time has come. – Nan Socolow This is a great start! Very much overdue. Now let’s make sure they stick to a schedule and routes. – Paul Wammer I don’t know if this will work without also putting some limitations on vehicle importation and ownership. Also, while not affecting Kenneth Bryan in GTC, those limitations will be What they’re saying Online 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Left side of an account (5) 4 Apprehensive (7) 8 Offend (3) 9 Approximately (1,6,2) 10 Huge (7) 11 Cautious (5) 13 Smart (6) 15 Angry (6) 18 Hemmed in (5) 19 Infinite (7) 21 At an inappropriate moment (3,2,4) 23 Scarcely (3) 24 Variegated (7) 25 An abrasive powder (5) DOWN 1 Cease to consider (7) 2 Not at all (2,2,5) 3 Prepare for sporting contest (5) 4 Defective (6) 5 Member of embassy staff (7) 6 A long way (3) 7 Impressively high (5) 12 In those days (2,3,4) 14 Contemptible (7) 16 Exhibition (7) 17 Pay back (6) 18 Ponder gloomily (5) 20 Crowded together (5) 22 Casual piece of advice (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17039 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17039 ACROSS: 1 Debit, 4 Fearful, 8 Sin, 9 A matter of, 10 Immense, 11 Chary, 13 Snappy, 15 Heated, 18 Beset, 19 Endless, 21 Out of turn, 23 Ill, 24 Dappled, 25 Emery. DOWN: 1 Dismiss, 2 By no means, 3 Train, 4 Flawed, 5 Attache, 6 Far, 7 Lofty, 12 At the time, 14 Pitiful, 16 Display, 17 Refund, 18 Brood, 20 Dense, 22 Tip. the end of any government that implements them. – Bruce Smith If this is the solution, then might I suggest [adding] safe bus stops where they can load and unload safely – OFF the road! Not stopping every 5 feet in the middle of the road. Test the drivers on speed and safety. – Debbie Ebanks Good idea... however, most folks in Cayman are too spoiled to take a public bus. – George Nowak This would only work if we get a dedicated bus lane as well. One lane that changes direction, based on traffic flow. A real timetable with signs that update would also be nice... – Djurre Woudstra Thieves steal $30,000 worth of gear from kiteboard school Tell customs to check all outgoing cargo. This is BS! People are so sick. – Blair Webb Ebanks I have no words to describe this sad news! Please share and spread the word and hopefully the equipment can be returned back! – Jhon Mora Chopping the very hand that’s helping you, sad! – Renoir Cota Mandatory swimming classes added to government school curriculum This was mandatory when I went to primary and middle school, albeit, that was a while ago. I’m glad it’s being brought back. – Risa Cooper-Ebanks Job well done, Bernie [Bush], you got this! Time to put our kids first. We live in the middle of the ocean. – Alliecia Rhone That’s great news. Yes, it is a life skill everyone should learn. – Tracey Pilkey The best time to teach a child to swim is shortly after birth and thereafter. When I was growing up, I was able to swim well from age 6 years old. Babies develop swimming reflexes in the womb before birth, so it’s best not to wait too long after birth to teach them how to swim. I made the time to start my children from they were 6 months old and when they were at school age, they attended swimming classes at the Lions Pool. – Renrick Christian It is good, but what about other children beside year 2 that still don’t know how to swim? Is the free programme available for them? – Ailec Lant Amazing. Can we add mindfulness and anti-bullying programmes too? – Skipper Whitney Painting through the pain: Grieving mum beautifies Cayman Brac Beautiful and inspiring story. Sorry for your loss. – Brianna Morales-Smith Sending love. – Sandra Tibbetts Opposition calls for reduced duty on gas, higher stipends The only reason we are continuing stipends is because Travel Cayman is limiting tourism. The only reason government are keeping Travel Cayman going is because they have no idea what to do with the employees that are currently working there. It’s comical. – Lewis Wilson More stipends?! Seriously?! – Corona Ecclefield A cap on the amount that customers can be charged would be a better solution for the public. – Anna Peccarino That would help with the electric bill too... duty is like half the bill. – Phaide Maxim-Hatch What services will government cut or go into debt to fund with the reduced duty revenue? – Jackie Myles Wonderful! Should do the same for fuel to generate electricity. That would help everyone. – Vangie Hunter Why didn't PPM recommend this when they were in power or cared to lower our burden. What services would we lose in return for this magnanimous offer as something will have to go, or will they expect the financial services to raise their fees again to cover the shortfall? This will also affect your annual company and business licences too, which many of you find expensive now. – Natasha-Gillian Bunting Readers are having their say over plans to improve Cayman's public transport system to tackle the ongoing traffic congestion issue. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022Cayman Brac Power and Light Company director Moses Kirkconnell, centre, and Ben Cullen, CFO of Dart, to his right, sign the agreement on 22 June, as, from left, David Dinner and Brian Patterson of Dentons, and Matthew Bishop of Dart look on. - Photo: Supplied JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The Dart group has announced an agreement to purchase Cayman Brac Power and Light Company in a deal which will make it the sole power provider on the Sister Islands. Subject to approval from regulators, Dart will acquire the assets and electricity generation, transmission and distribution licences of the power company, located at Stake Bay. The price of the sale has not been revealed. Dart said in a statement, issued on 22 June, that it would keep the existing management and staff in place and provide training as part of a transition to renewable energy. The two parties hailed the agreement as a ‘new chapter’ for power generation in the Sister Islands, saying it would facilitate investment in new technology and equipment. Negotiations have been ongoing between Dart and the utility company for at least six months. The pending sale has been an open secret in the Sister Islands. Shareholders voted to accept Dart’s offer at a meeting Tuesday and the agreement was signed Wednesday morning. Mark VanDevelde, CEO of Dart Enterprises, said the company would be investing heavily in renewable technology for the Sister Islands. “We are committed to Cayman and its sustainable future and by working together we can make an impact to mitigate climate change; we currently produce around 3% of the country’s power through our solar capabilities and this new venture offers a significant opportunity for us to increase that output and decrease the islands’ dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions,” he said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to building on the success of Brac Power and Light over time and exploring the opportunity to develop renewable energy capabilities in the Sister Islands in the future.” Moses Kirkconnell, director of the Cayman Brac Power and Light Company, said the company had been seeking investment. “The shareholders of Brac Power and Light have shared the ambition for some time to grow the plant’s capabilities,” he said, “and keep pace with the energy revolution, which ultimately will benefit our customers. “Dart’s acquisition of the assets of Brac Power and Light will provide much needed investment in the current infrastructure and, we hope, lead to a more sustainable future for the Sister Islands.” The utility company approached Dart as part of an ongoing strategy to find a successor to innovate and invest in the existing infrastructure and sustainable future of the Sister Islands, a joint press release stated. According to the release, existing day-to-day operations of the power plants on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will continue under the leadership of general manager Jonathan Tibbetts, and all employees are expected to transition to the new company, receiving training opportunities in new technologies as they are adopted. Dart buys Sister Islands power company “Dart’s acquisition of the assets of Brac Power and Light will provide much needed investment in the current infrastructure and, we hope, lead to a more sustainable future for the Sister Islands.” Moses Kirkconnell, director, Cayman Power and Light Company JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A new scheme will offer bank financing for rooftop solar installations in an effort to accelerate Cayman’s renewable energy drive. GreenTech Energy has partnered with Cayman National Bank for the ‘Solar For All’ initiative, which it says will democratise access to solar energy. Customers can get a $0 down- payment, 100% loan to fund up to a 10 kilowatt home solar system, which costs around $25,000. GreenTech CEO James Whittaker said such systems typically save consumers around $300 a-month on energy bills. Even with the monthly loan repayments, he said those who invest would be in profit on a monthly basis. Whittaker, who has been pushing for such a partnership for some time, sees the initiative as key to spreading rooftop solar throughout the Cayman Islands. Currently, only 7MW of electricity is powered by solar panels on residential properties - equivalent to around 700 of the 31,000 homes in Grand Cayman. The National Energy Policy has set a target of increasing that by a factor of 10 to put 70MW of rooftop solar on the grid. That’s one element of a wider strategy, also involving substantial investment in solar farms, to increase the proportion of Cayman’s total energy requirements derived from renewable sources to 70% by 2037. The only way that is going to happen, says Whittaker, is if banks help to fund the transition. “I have been hearing for years that solar is only for the rich. I have always said that is because financing is not available to consumers and regulation has always constrained capacity,” he said. “I always found it frustrating that banks would allow you to borrow for a car, which is a depreciating asset, but not solar, which is an appreciating and income-producing asset.” He said the new partnership with CNB, which offers loans over 20 years with interest rates fixed at 4.5% for the first seven years, changes that dynamic. For the first time, a family with their own home and limited disposable income can go green. “This is about solar for all,” he said. “The lower cost solar repayments replace your CUC bill savings, giving you a net financial benefit monthly. “If we don’t do something like this, the majority of people adopting solar will be those at the top of the economic pyramid. Most locals simply don’t have $25,000 available up front.” For GreenTech, the policy has the obvious beneficial side-effect of creating more potential customers. Whittaker sees this as a win-win- win for the company, the consumers and the country, which has set ambitious renewable energy targets. Capacity for new solar on the national grid could be a potential stumbling block. But the long impasse between regulators, CUC and the rooftop solar industry appears to be close to being resolved. Typically, utilities regulator OfReg and CUC have released new tranches of capacity for solar in 1MW tranches - equivalent to around 100 homes - amid concerns that adding too much solar, too quickly would destabilise the grid. But once new battery storage comes online next year, another 12MW will be available. In the interim, OfReg and CUC are working to make more capacity available to new solar customers. Both OfReg and CUC confirmed that the new battery will mean significant new capacity for ‘distributed generation’ – the industry term for small-scale solar projects. GreenTech Energy will be holding a financing launch event at its sales centre at A. L. Thompson’s on Saturday from 11am until 2pm to promote the new ‘solar for all’ initiative. Those who attend the launch event will also receive the added benefit of saving $1,000 off their solar system. James Whittaker, CEO of GreenTech, and James Whittaker, the writer of this article, are not related. Bank financing agreement targets ‘solar for all’ The number of megawatts of energy solar panels on local homes is currently producing. cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittake@compassmedia.ky Cayman Islands residents are being warned to prepare for a long hot summer of rising electricity bills. As temperatures soar and fuel prices continue to rise coinciding with peak usage, the impact is likely to be seen in even higher CUC bills. “The worse is yet to come,” Sacha Tibbetts, vice president of the company, warned in an interview with the Cayman Compass. He said CUC was being hammered with signifi cant fuel price hikes as the war in Ukraine plays havoc with world oil markets. Those costs are likely to be passed on to customers at the worst possible time – the height of summer when power usage increases in most homes. CUC sent out a message on its social media platforms this week warning, “We ask that you prepare as much as possible as unprecedented increases in fuel costs that are being experienced by CUC today will fl ow through to customer bills later. Combined with the increased consumption associated with summer, there could be signifi cant bill increases.” ‘Worse to come’ Tibbetts said there is a time lag before rises in oil prices are refl ected in customer bills, so the most recent global increases have yet to impact householders in Cayman. Since January, the fuel surcharge – passed straight through to the customer – has gone up by just over 4 cents per kilowatt hour. That equates to around $44 a month extra on top of the average monthly bill, based on CUC fi gures. But that is just the increases that are already in the pipeline. Oil prices have continued to rise and higher bills are locked-in as those increases are kicked on to customers. That will likely coincide with a rise in usage. Tibbetts says the typical CUC customer uses up to 30% more electricity in the hot summer months. The utility has embarked on a public information campaign urging people to moderate their usage and be aware of how appliances, particularly air conditioners, can impact bills. CUC profi ts are ‘modest’ but essential He acknowledged CUC received a lot of complaints about rising power bills but said the increases were tied directly to fuel prices. Cayman gets its fuel largely from the Gulf coast of the US and is subject to global economic pressures which have seen prices soar across the globe. Tibbetts said spikes like this will be inevitable until Cayman makes the transition to renewable energy. He said CUC had done everything it could to make the plant run as cost- effectively as possible. “We operate pretty close to the theoretical limit of fuel effi ciency,” he said. He accepted that some customers may argue for the company to take less profi t, but he insisted this would make a negligible difference to electricity bills. The fuel cost represents around $65 for every $100 on the average household bill. And CUC invests more than it earns each year in infrastructure upgrades, he said. The company is only able to do that by offering “modest returns” to its shareholders. If CUC operated without any profi t, he said, they would not be able to raise capital and keep the grid and other critical infrastructure in shape. “You might see a very short term benefi t to customers but there would be a rapid deterioration in service,” he said, warning Cayman would face power outages and disruptions in service that would impact its core industries. “The percentage of dollars that go to profi t is very small,” he said. He added that stable and secure returns for investors guaranteed CUC the access to cash it needs to provide a fi rst world electricity grid to support Cayman’s key industries. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has called for a complete suspension of the import duty on fuel, at least until the end of the year, to help drive consumer costs down at the pump. McTaggart, speaking at a media briefi ng on 21 June via Zoom, urged the PACT government to take the “bold step” and suspend the 75 cents per gallon import duty on motor gasoline fuel to reduce rising fuel prices. “We are hoping that the government will take time to consider government fi nances are still in good shape,” he said. “With the increased cost of living, government is making even more revenue as more import duty is collected on those increased prices of imports. Government should not benefi t from rising prices to the detriment of our people.” Though he knows lifting import duties will impact the government coffers, the former fi nance minister said, without access to the current data, he could not say how much of an impact that would be. As the Caribbean Utilities Company advised consumers to brace for increased bills this summer in a tweet on Twitter that has drawn criticism in the community, McTaggart urged local utilities companies to hold off on any price increases. With economists predicting a recession is on the way, deputy leader of the opposition Joey Hew said at the press briefi ng that now is the time to act. He acknowledged that the current government is facing a very different set of circumstances than those the Progressives had while they were in power, especially as the world is now dealing with supply-chain challenges and fuel issues linked to the war in Ukraine. “We’re not blaming anyone and if you want to put the blame on us, then fi ne, but we were not faced with this situation,” Hew said. “What we are doing now is trying to assist the government and we are saying is, ‘Please, act,’ and here’s how we think… here’s some of the suggestions that we have and, like I said, they may come up with better ones but these are the ones that we’re making.” McTaggart said the opposition is willing to meet with local utility companies and plead on behalf of the community for leniency as the infl ation pressure continues. CUC's diesel plant in George Town. - Photo: File Roy McTaggart Opposition calls for suspension of fuel import duty CUC: ‘Worse yet to come’ on power bills The amount of extra electricity an average CUC customers uses during summer months as temperatures increase Fuel Costs June 2020 Sep 2020 Dec 2020 Mar 2021 Jun 2021 Sep 2021 Dec 2021 Mar 2022 Jun 2022 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Fuel Duty Fuel Cost Renewables Cost Charge Pric e ($) cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022British Caymanian Insurance Company Limited BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, P.O. Box 74, George Town Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands tel. 345.949.8699 | fax. 345.949.0658 cgcoralisle.com | @cgcoralisle We’re like a new puppy that doesn’t chew on your phone charger. In other words, we’ll keep you powered with 24-hour support through our online portal. To learn more, visit hellocgi.com. Development projects declining RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Government is looking to revisit the granting of concessions to stimulate construction projects after a $350 million drop in development- generated revenue and a decline in the number of planning applications. Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan, speaking on the Cayman Compass Facebook talkshow The Resh Hour last week, made the point, as he said the slowdown in the third pillar of the economy – construction and development – is concerning. According to statistics released to the Cayman Compass, between 1 Jan. and 31 May this year, 311 projects, valued collectively at $241,404,905, were approved by the Planning Department. Over the same period last year, 345 projects were approved by Planning, with a collective value of $628,947,685. Up to 31 May this year, 21 apartment complex projects were approved, compared to 52 in the same period in 2021. Dip in applications fuels need for concessions policy Bryan said the decline was troubling, as it shows a slowdown in momentum for construction projects. He added that, while it is a sensitive topic, concessions are something that will have to be looked at. “When things are good, you should never have to use concessions... you want to develop, you want to build... but when things start to recede, concessions [are] supposed to be a tool that you use to spark movement, to give incentives for the businesses and developers to develop and keep the economy going,” he said. He said he and Deputy Premier Chris Saunders, who is also minister for finance and economic development, have discussed the issue. He added that the government has to "make sure some of these major projects are going and keep the confidence of the business community”. “I know it’s going to level back out, but if we go into a recession, we could potentially be in some hot water for about a year, year- and-a-half. Now I don’t want scare the public, but we have to plan for that eventuality... The government is already aware of it, and we’re making our strategies and discussions about it,” he said. Bryan said that work on a concession policy is a matter of top priority. “We definitely need to get it resolved, so we can take the necessary action to help the business community… to keep that work going, like the construction and the development, the importation of goods and so forth, because we need that revenue,” he said. Environment group concerned by plan Local environment group Amplify Cayman, in a statement to the Compass following the minister’s comments, challenged government’s approach as an “unsustainable method of economic revitalisation”. It suggested that during this period of slowdown in planning applications, an alternative solution, which would be more sustainable in the long term, would be to focus on diversifying the economy through investing in green-blue industries, to transition Cayman to a carbon- neutral economy. “Local community advocates and natural capital economists have voiced their support for the government relying on these sustainable methods to generate economic revenue, which we also support, as it’s evident we need to move away from a heavy dependence on revenue from duty,” it said. Amplify Cayman said it welcomed news of a forthcoming concessions framework, since the lack of one resulted in millions essentially being given away at the expense of the community’s needs and the public coffers. “We hope that the concessions framework development process is subject to public input and look forward to offering our advice to government on how to ensure it equitably helps build our nation. One suggestion to this point would be to appoint an independent committee tasked with recommending concessions through a performance- based points system – one which demonstrates that the development provides significant benefit to the community,” it added. Amplify Cayman said, in light of the current affordable housing crisis, it was insensitive to continue approving concessions for luxury developments “when thousands in our community struggle to get onto the property ladder in their native country”. “Government must act with reciprocity in its decision-making when approving concessions, which should be given to strategic objectives, such as affordable housing. This is a prime opportunity to use the slowdown in planning applications to work on a development plan, which we see as a relief to the housing and cost of living crises we’re currently facing,” the group said. Gov’t considers construction concessions The rate of development in the Cayman Islands appears to be slowing down this year. - Photo: File cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022CAYMAN Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, the Head of Stowe School, a leading independent British school, warmly invites prospective parents and other interested parties to a presentation of Stowe, its mission to create the world’s future Change Makers, and its ambitions for the development of an exceptional new international school in Cayman. Wednesday 6th July at 6:00pm, at the Camana Bay Cinema, followed by cocktails at Abacus. Spaces are limited and we urge you to reserve a space early by contacting Sarah Smith at sarah.smith@stowe.co.uk The best of both worlds A Vision for Educational Excellence in Cayman RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky After more than two years, the government’s monthly stipend for displaced tourism workers has come to an end, with the fi nal payment issued on 23 June, the Ministry of Border Control and Labour has confi rmed. The stipend programme has been winding down in recent months, with smaller payments being made available to some of those on the scheme, as Cayman’s borders reopened and tourists started returning to the islands. In a comment to the Cayman Compass on the next steps for those on the programme, which has cost the government about $60 million a year, a ministry spokesperson said, “Those who indicated in the mandatory survey that they still required assistance after June, would then transition over to the Ministry in charge of Social Development.” As of last month, 3,202 tourism workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic were still receiving a monthly government subsidy. However, after increased efforts to fi nd jobs for those unemployed individuals, the numbers fell to 2,242 people receiving the full $1,500 each month, and 960 workers receiving $750 a month. Recipients last month were required to complete a survey that indicated their employment situation and whether they would need to get fi nancial assistance from the Needs Assessment Unit once the stipend payments ended. Lawmakers earlier this month were asked to approve another $1.5 million to see the programme through until the end of June. Coupled with the $10.3 million included in the budget, the programme has now been granted $26.8 million in the first half of the year. It is unclear how many of the workers will be getting assistance through the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development, as the Ministry of Border Control and Labour stated it will be taking over the programme. “We don’t have details as to their plans. A list of those persons who completed the survey who indicated they still need assistance will be given to that Ministry for them to move forward with,” the Ministry of Border Control and Labour told the Compass. Social Development Minister André Ebanks, speaking in Finance Committee last week, said some work had already been done between the ministry of social development and the ministry of labour to identify those who are able and ready to work, who may just need a minimum level of assistance from his ministry, and those that may face underlying social issues, who will receive assistance from the Needs Assessment Unit. Fraud cases Meanwhile, though the programme has come to an end, Wesley Howell, chief offi cer for the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, said the ministry is using a forensic auditor to determine if further fraud incidents relating to the stipend have been committed. In April, it was revealed that several people, including prisoners and individuals with full-time jobs, had been fraudulently receiving the monthly tourism stipend. Those cases, which are being investigated by police, were discovered after the ministry inadvertently released an email that revealed the email addresses, many of which contained full names, of the 3,329 people receiving the stipends at the time, which led to people who recognised names on the email reporting the suspected fraudulent incidents. Tourism stipend payments end The number of people receiving the tourism stipend as of May 2022 Tourism stipend programme costs 2022 MAY $4,093,500 APR $4,499,500 MAR $4,459,750 FEB $4,270,000 $5,459,000 JAN 3,202 Lawmakers earlier this month were asked to approve another $1.5 million to see the programme through until the end of June. cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022Nichelle Scott Director Customer Services & External Communications Nichelle, a CPA, joined CUC as Manager Financial Services in 2008, a position she held until 2015. In 2012, while still the Manager Financial Services, Nichelle was appointed CFO of DataLink and implemented a subsidiary accounting system for the new subsidiary. In 2015, Nichelle left the role of Manager Financial Services to take on the challenge of Manager Customer Services while retaining the role of CFO of DataLink. Under her leadership, several new initiatives were brought on stream including the launch of the PrePay electricity service, the transition to a paperless billing process, customer text notifications and the implementation of Customer Information Software. Nichelle is a graduate of the University of Miami and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance with a minor in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Management Information Systems. Nichelle has also completed the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) 5 certificate programme. Robert Whorms Director Energy Delivery Robert joined CUC in 1996 as an Electrician Apprentice in the Electrical Maintenance Department. In 1998, he was awarded a scholarship to attend Florida International University where he attained a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering focussing on Power Systems. In 2003, Robert returned to the Company as a Production Engineer performing system studies, developing and implementing engineering standards, leading system upgrades and providing training on procedures and processes. In 2006, he was promoted to Manager Systems Operations. In 2010, Robert transitioned back to the Electrical Maintenance Department as Manager. In 2016, he transferred to Manager Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Operations and was responsible for ensuring the T&D systems effective planning, design, construction and maintenance in accordance with the Company’s engineering standards. Robert completed the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) 5 certificate programme. Jason Burke Director Energy Supply New Appointments Joni Kirkconnell Director Human Resources & Corporate Services Nichelle Scott Director Customer Services & External Communications Robert Whorms Director Energy Delivery CUC recently completed a restructuring exercise to best position the Company to achieve its long-term strategic goals. This process resulted in the introduction of new Director roles to the Senior Management Team. The Company’s robust internal training and development programme aims to provide CUC’s employees with the skills needed to attain leadership roles, which has led to the internal promotions of four Caymanians to director-level positions. Jason Burke Director Energy Supply Jason began his CUC career in 1995 as a Unit Operator Trainee in the Systems Operations Department. He was awarded a two-year technician scholarship in 2000 and graduated with an Associate’s degrees in Industrial Maintenance Technology and Facilities Management & Engineering with High Honours from Texas State Technical College in April 2002. In 2013, Jason was awarded a second CUC scholarship to attend the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. He graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours. In 2020, Jason was promoted to Manager Systems Operations and was responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of CUC’s power generation facility and electrical grid. He has successfully completed the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 5 certificate programme. Joni Kirkconnell Director Human Resources & Corporate Services Joni joined the Company in 2011 as a Training, Safety & Environment (EHS) Specialist and in 2015, was promoted to Manager Training, Safety & Environment. She has successfully led external audits to renew the Company’s ISO 14001 certification and established and implemented plans to address areas for improvement. Under her leadership, the department has successfully launched a Company-wide review of its health and safety procedures and established action plans to improve CUC’s health and safety culture. Over the years, Joni has worked closely with several departments to identify and implement ‘green’ strategies within the Company. Joni is a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Resource Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology with Honours and a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology with Honours. She has also completed the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) 5 certificate programme. cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022Next >