Try all flavors cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 Weekly, 25-31 October 2024 compass Weekly, 25-31 October 2024 compass Weekly, 25-31 October 2024 compass Inside story Inmates tell of life inside crumbling overcrowded prison Pages 36-38 Local designer makes impact at Russian fashion summit Page 42 McKeeva Bush announces new run for offi ce Page 5 Cayman to get seat at global money laundering watchdog table Page 6Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $10.00 (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 weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Likely scattered thunderstorms SEA STATE Slight with a wave height of 1 to 3 feet. WINDS East to northeast at 5 to 10 knots. 88°F HIGH 78°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Man gets community service for stalking and harassing ex-wife A man with mental health issues who was convicted of stalking and harassing his ex- wife has been sentenced to 270 hours of community service in Summary Court. In an unrelated charge, the man was also fined $300 for operating a generator that later burned and damaged a property in George Town. The defendant had been found guilty of the stalking and harassment offences following a trial in 2022, and of operating the generator illegally earlier this year. Magistrate Vanessa Allard, while delivering the sentences on 21 Oct. said the victim had suffered “considerable distress” as a result of the various incidents of harassment and stalking. The court had heard that one form of the stalking included washing his ex-wife’s car at night without her knowledge or permission. The woman had told the court that, to make sure she wasn’t imagining things, she would deliberately drive her car through muddy puddles to make it dirty so she could see if someone had washed it overnight. She had also been receiving notes on her doorstep and would resort to peeking out her windows at night to see if anyone was outside, she had told the court during the trial. The Compass has opted not to name the defendant in this story due to his mental health issues. Police warn public over internet blackmail scam Cyber cops have issued an alert advising the community of an internet blackmail scam that is targetting individuals through email. RCIPS cyber crime experts said those targeted got an email telling them malware had been installed from a website they had visited, which allowed a remote access tool to take over their computer. The scammers threaten “disclosure of personal information” and to send information about the victim to their contacts. But a police spokesman said, “These threats are not credible and the RCIPS Cyber Crime Unit requests that if persons have received this type of email, they should report it to rcipsdfh@ rcips.ky.” Police added that scammers used a variety of techniques to intimidate targets into parting with cash. A police spokesman told the public, “Do not respond to this, or any other scam messages and never click on any link you are sent. Always verify by other means any messages received that appear to be out of context.” $2.3M contract for first phase of Scranton Park A month after breaking ground for the Central Scranton Park, the Ministry of Tourism and Ports has signed a $2.3 million contract with McAlpine Limited to construct the first phase of the project. “This marks a significant milestone in the realisation of a project that is set to transform the Central Scranton area into a vibrant green space,” a ministry statement said. The construction of Phase 1 covers the development of key infrastructure for the park, including site grading and earthworks; drainage and stormwater management measures; pond enhancement works, including safety handrails; the construction of pedestrian pathways, park entrances, gazebos and perimeter fencing. It also includes the installation of a calisthenics exercise area, landscaping, and an irrigation system. Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed next summer. The park is being built beside Ms Frances Street, off Shedden Road, on the site of an old community park and adjacent Crown land. Truman Bodden Law School celebrates new location The Truman Bodden Law School formally opened its new home at Artemis House on Fort Street, George Town, with a ribbon- cutting ceremony on 17 Oct. The event, held four months after the law school relocated from Monaco Towers, was attended by Governor Jane Owen, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Deputy Premier André Ebanks, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin, Solicitor General Reshma Sharma, Grand Court Justice Richard N. Williams and David Charles Doyle. Also in attendance were former Leader of Government Business Truman Bodden, whose name the school bears, and the law school’s director, Michell Davies, as well as staff and faculty of the school. “The law school has come a good modern way since the days that I studied here, since the deputy governor studied here, since former premiers have studied here, and I am thrilled for the school and, in particular, I’m thrilled for our Caymanian students,” Deputy Premier Ebanks said as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the law school. The new larger campus provides more lecture and tutorial rooms, along with upgraded connectivity, allowing staff and students greater access to the school’s UK partner institutions, the University of Liverpool and Oxford Brookes University, a media release from the law school stated. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the foyer of the new campus, guests were given a tour of the library, lecture and tutorial rooms, common areas and offices. “The fact is that the law school population is growing, and it is an important institution in our educational framework and so we need to have appropriate settings and accommodations for our students and lectures so they can be more optimal in their delivery,” noted Attorney General Bulgin. Cutting the ribbon at the opening of the new Truman Bodden Law School campus at Artemis House were, from left, Governor Jane Owen, Minister André Ebanks, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin and the law school's namesake, Truman Bodden. - Photo: Supplied cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 20241234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Audibly (5) 4 Pacify (7) 8 Disencumber (3) 9 On the contrary (3,4,2) 10 North American treeless grassland (7) 11 Dog-like scavenging carnivore (5) 13 Tempestuous (6) 15 Cost of maintenance (6) 18 A silken fabric (5) 19 Competent (7) 21 Narrow escape (4,5) 23 Calm area at cyclone’s centre (3) 24 Give sanction to (7) 25 Nude (5) DOWN 1 Relevant (7) 2 Incompatible one in group (3,3,3) 3 Put off to later time (5) 4 Discuss terms with enemy (6) 5 A dirigible (7) 6 Purpose (3) 7 Supernumerary (5) 12 An equal chance (4,5) 14 Extremely large (7) 16 Claim falsely (7) 17 Vigorous (6) 18 Be aware of (5) 20 Irreligious person (5) 22 Help (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17771 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 17771 ACROSS: 1 Aloud, 4 Placate, 8 Rid, 9 Far from it, 10 Prairie, 11 Hyena, 13 Stormy, 15 Upkeep, 18 Satin, 19 Capable, 21 Near thing, 23 Eye, 24 Endorse, 25 Naked. DOWN: 1 Apropos, 2 Odd man out, 3 Defer, 4 Parley, 5 Airship, 6 Aim, 7 Extra, 12 Even break, 14 Monster, 16 Pretend, 17 Active, 18 Sense, 20 Pagan, 22 Aid. What they’re saying Online Minister suggests keeping cruise ship casinos open while vessels are in port Destroy 5,000-year-old coral systems that support your coastline and produce sand, for floating septic casinos in town. What a bold vision. Rory Joe McDonough We have stayed in Cayman many times over the years, and have also cruised many more. Believe me when I say most cruisers do excursions while in port and those that gamble do so while at sea as a means to pass the time. This will have no appreciable effect on people on cruise ships. Coral reefs are a bigger draw than casinos. Gary Bertsch The best thing is that it’s the public (we, the voting people) who gets to make the final say at the polls come election day. You don’t want a cruise pier , vote no. It’s that simple. Donna Bryan You’re quite right in your comments, Mr. Bryan. The cruise industry is in it to make money. They don’t give a damn about the environmental damage to our culture and way of life. George Town is dead because of Camana Bay and the lack of parking available in town. Previous government officials and the Central Planning Authority killed George Town and is still doing so with the crazy waste of money to redevelop the area whilst stifling businesses. Look around, Mr. Bryan. Seven Mile Beach is almost gone due to the same persons mentioned above and we must now trust you that this is a good move for the islands? Hugh J. The minister continues his obsession with cruise ships and now he wants to encourage passengers to stay on board so they can continue gambling! What sort of nonsense is this? Still no word from him on our rapidly disappearing Seven Mile Beach. He is fixated on building cruise ship piers and does not deem it necessary to deal with the loss of our greatest tourism asset. This will not cause a “ripple effect on our economy”, rather a tidal wave! Trusty2man D. So, let me get this straight. The minister is suggesting amending the law to allow non-citizens to be able to gamble in our territory if we vote YES to a cruise berthing facility in George Town? From my perspective, this seems like a very one-sided proposal. (1) In what way does this benefit the Cayman Islands? (2) How will George Town see a revitalisation if we allow gambling in our harbour? (3) What guarantee do the businesses on the waterfront have that they will see a higher level of sales if we say yes to building a cruise berthing pier? jordandrivers MP Isaac Rankine seeks to dredge East End swim hole This is insane. Not only do the East Enders continue to poach conchs and lobsters all year round, now they want to destroy a precious part of their habitat. The turtle grass is a major part of the marine habitat at this location. All kinds of juvenile fish, shrimp, lobster and crabs use it, which in turn provides feeding grounds for bonefish, seabirds and tarpon. This is a stupid idea and probably a political stunt for the MLA to say he did something. Remember the decimation of ol’ Seven Mile Beach started with just one property building too close to the beach. Leave the beach and the turtle grass alone. Brian T. Soon there will be nothing natural left on this beautiful island. Jared Bremner As much as I absolutely love sea swimming, don’t remove the sea grass! Humans can swim somewhere else. It’s so important for the ecosystem! theswimminggp Seagrass is so important to habitats worldwide. They provide a wealth of ecosystem services, such as clean water, feeding grounds for wildlife, maintaining the structural integrity of the seabed, and mitigating the impact of severe weather on Cayman’s coasts (maybe we should be planting seagrass off Seven Mile Beach). chiller_guy_matt Please make it stop! Why mess with the raw beauty of our islands? Soon it will be ruined and almost entirely by our own people! It’s so concerning that people in power think this way. sophprior Cayman records 156 crashes in 15 days Can we please have signs on the dual carriageways reminding people to pass on the right only? This is in the highway code but it’s rarely followed. People driving in both lanes leads to others driving erratically, and passing on the left is dangerous for pedestrians. tfrawley88 It is truly troubling how dreadful the driving standards are here in Cayman. People have no idea how to tackle a dual carriageway. Simple. Slow cars stay on left. Right lane should only be used for overtaking. I think people simply don’t know. Just like when I told a taxi driver that her lights were on full beam. She told me the other lights weren’t working. Two wrongs don’t make a right! jbd Sky gazers have been treated to a rare and brilliant sight in the western evening skies above Cayman in recent days as a comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS passes by. The comet won’t be seen again for 80,000 years. Photographer Brian Phelps, who captured this stunning image in South Sound shortly after sunset, noted that the last time the comet was visible from Earth, Neanderthals were walking the planet. Though the comet is now becoming fainter, it can be still be seen through binoculars after the sun sets. Comet of the century pic of the week cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky As he prepares to contest his West Bay West seat one last time, former Premier McKeeva Bush has launched a new political organisation that aims to run a slate of candidates at the next general election. The 40-year political veteran, speaking at a media conference at the Parliament committee room 1 on Tuesday morning, 22 Oct., described the current coalition as “a mess” and said, “I don’t believe independents can manage this country.” He said there has to be organisation in government to get things done, and the current administration has shown the need for this through its inability to take action to address critical issues. “There’s no agreement on a lot of things,” he said, especially when it comes to the way forward on immigration policies and development projects. Government, he said, needed clear leadership, structure and organisation to get things done, and he hopes his non-profit, One Better Cayman, can help provide that. Bush’s launch and the recent Progressives’ appointment of Joey Hew as the new party leader have signaled that politicians are gearing up for the general election, expected in April. Platform in the making Though Bush said he had no formal agreements with any candidates, the West Bay West MP highlighted several current MPs as individuals he would support for re- election. He issued an invite for those individuals, including Chris Saunders, Jay Ebanks, André Ebanks, Kenneth Bryan, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and any other like- minded individuals to be part of his new group. He said he could not currently support Health Minister Sabrina Turner, acknowledging the two recently clashed over the delayed Poinciana mental health facility. He said he objected to her recent statement about her approach to the situation with the long-delayed facility and casting blame on the Public Works Department. “You cannot be hands off to that extent with an institution that is badly needed,” he said, adding that the country has a serious mental health situation. Bush, dressed in a bright blue shirt which he said was his new organisation’s colour, commenced his media briefing by blasting what was described as the organisation’s theme song – Delroy Wilson’s reggae classic ‘Better Must Come’. Also attending the meeting were Kenny Rankin and Ellio Solomon, both of whom said they were not running but had turned up to hear what Bush had to say. Saying that Cayman needs policy direction, Bush said a change must come and it has to include ending the “British bureaucracy” that has crippled the civil service from executing plans. Though he was the only speaker at the briefing, Bush said he will not lead the organisation into the election and insisted it would be different from his now defunct United Democratic Party. “My sole objective now is to help to ensure that the Cayman Islands is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, and that we have policies in place that will allow our people to live the best life that they can imagine for themselves and their loved ones,” he said. The leadership role, he said, will be determined by the board that will create the formal structure of the organisation. He did not share the names of the board members, but said he had the backing of a number of individuals who will screen potential candidates before they make it to the One Better Cayman platform. He said they will collaborate on a manifesto, which all candidates must sign on to so there will be no repeat of the turmoil that ensued after the 2021 general elections. He said he would be prepared to consider working with the Progressives in a coalition if the organisation cannot secure a majority. Policy plans Bush said the mission of the organisation is “empowering communities through sustainable development, social justice, and holistic well-being.” He said policy plans will include addressing immigration and the division that he says seems to be taking root in the island. Though he said he was not “anti-growth or anti-development”, he said there is a time and place for everything. “The time now is to limit the grant of Caymanian status to descent or marriage. Any grants outside of that needs to be looked at very carefully,” he said. What this looks like, he said, will be determined by the organisation board. However, he said he had a message for anyone whose behaviour could lead to the “social disharmony” other countries have experienced. “To those people who do not want to integrate and be a part of this community, that behaviour is un-Caymanian, and I ask you to stop it. We don’t want our small islands to go down that route. Simply put, integrate or evacuate,” he said. Caymanians who also add to the divide, he said, should recognise that the island could not have become the success it is without foreign workers or foreign investment. “Embrace wealth or reap poverty,” he said as he urged a change in thinking. Bush, who has openly backed the need for a cruise pier, said he did not believe in the cruise referendum and said, should his team get into government, the cruise industry will have its pier. The referendum, he said, is not going to reflect the full feelings of the people, and he knows “this country needs the cruise industry”. West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush speaks at the launch of his non-profit organisation, One Better Cayman, which he launched at a media conference in the committee room of Parliament. - Photo: Reshma Ragoonath Bush kicks off re-election bid with new political organisation Bush’s launch and the recent Progressives’ appointment of Joey Hew as the new party leader have signaled that politicians are gearing up for the general election, expected in April . Journalists and onlookers Kenny Rankin and Ellio Solomon at McKeeva Bush's media conference. - Photo: Reshma Ragoonath cayman compass 5 news N news WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The next time world leaders sit down to discuss anti-money laundering black lists, Cayman will have a seat at the table. In a sign of softening diplomatic relations between the island and global financial watchdogs, the territory has been invited to be a guest member of the Financial Action Task Force for the next year. Cayman was only removed from the intergovernmental body’s ‘grey list’ of countries subject to close scrutiny over money laundering and terror financing last year. That decision came after lawmakers tightened up reporting standards on the ownership of companies and introduced a new police unit to tackle international financial crime. Financial Services Minister André Ebanks, currently in Paris for the latest plenary sessions of the task force, said the invite was a “profound moment” for Cayman and a sign of the tide turning in terms of its global reputation. “For the Cayman Islands to have its own seat at the FATF table, and be recognised as a country capable of having a presence alongside the likes of G20 countries, speaks volumes of our current international standing,” he said. The announcement was hailed as a “positive development” by industry leaders in Cayman. Steve McIntosh, CEO of Cayman Finance, said, “When rules are being set that directly affect you, it is much better to be in the room than to be outside it looking in.” Cayman, along with Senegal, will be a guest member for the next year – part of a new initiative to expand the diversity of the organization beyond its 40 core members. In practical terms, Cayman’s representatives will be able to participate in meetings and working groups of the organisation, which sets the global standards on what countries must do to prevent money laundering, terror financing and sanctions-busting arms trading. Local financial services advocates say Cayman has long struggled against misconceptions among policymakers about the nature and type of business that takes place on these shores. And the improved relationship with the Financial Action Task Force is seen as vindication of diplomatic efforts to change Cayman’s reputation as a risky place to do business. FATF made the announcement on its social media pages Wednesday, saying Cayman now has a “seat and a voice” at the table. “The Cayman Islands and Senegal will participate for one year, sharing valuable lessons and acting as lighthouses in their regions to promote the importance of fighting financial crime,” the organisation said in a statement on Facebook. The task force’s new president, Elisa de Anda Madrazo, introduced the new “regional bodies guest initiative” to “increase then voice of countries from regions that are underrepresented at the FATF membership level”, according to a press release from the Cayman Islands government. McIntosh, responding to questions from the Compass Wednesday, said, “I think the fact that we have been invited to be the very first guest member is testament to the extraordinary professionalism of the Cayman delegation and the relationship of mutual respect they have established with the FATF community.” Minister Ebanks is in Paris for the plenary with a Cayman delegation including Attorney General Samuel Bulgin and Cayman Islands Monetary Authority president Cindy Scotland. SARAH BRIDGE AND RESHMA RAGOONATH Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has praised the Commonwealth for its ability to bring nations together during a discussion on reducing trade barriers at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa. Describing herself as “a product of the Commonwealth,” O’Connor-Connolly said that there was “an audacity of optimism for the Commonwealth” which was currently “an under-utilised product”. She added, “Our economies can, and have, and should and must, make us partners, and with our economies there is no excuse now for the Commonwealth not to be that foremost conduit to bring us together. “We ought to encourage ourselves that we can be one Commonwealth, one voice, through treaties, through MOUs, through agreements, but that foundation has to be based on trust.” O’Connor-Connolly was speaking at a session on Wednesday, 23 Oct., chaired by Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Participants included Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo Addo, president of the Republic of Ghana, and David Lammy, secretary of state for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office. The session was part of a five-day meeting that bought premiers, presidents and prime ministers from across the Commonwealth together in the Pacific island nation of Samoa. King Charles and Queen Camilla also attended the event. O’Connor-Connolly spent her first day of the meeting in talks with Samoa’s prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, and other government officials. In an audio update on Tuesday about the international gathering, O’Connor-Connolly said it was “both humbling and rewarding to engage in dialogue with fellow island leaders who understand the unique challenges we face as small nations”. She added, “We share a commitment to environmental sustainability, and the rich conversations on education, agriculture and public enterprise have strengthened our bonds. I look forward to deepening our relationship with Samoa as we continue to collaborate on key initiatives for the benefit of our people.” The premier, accompanied by Chief Officer Eric Bush, discussed cultural exchange, key economic priorities and mutual challenges faced by both island nations with the host prime minister. A government statement on the meeting said, “The Premier and Prime Minister Mata’afa, both the first female leaders of their countries, spoke about shared experiences in their leadership journeys, including the significance of women in politics and public service. Discussions touched on the importance of balancing tourism and environmental conservation, as well as ensuring food security through traditional agricultural practices.” Climate resilience featured in talks O’Connor-Connolly and Bush also met with Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster, Samoa’s minister of natural resources and environment, to discuss climate resilience and sustainable environmental practices. “Our discussions today reinforced the importance of building resilient frameworks across our economies, particularly in sectors like housing and education,” Bush said in an audio message update on the day’s meetings. “It was an honour to share perspectives and learn from Samoa’s experience, especially their innovative housing solutions. I am excited about the opportunities these exchanges present for the Cayman Islands and look forward to bringing these insights home to further strengthen our approach.” O’Connor-Connolly, the statement said, extended open invitations for future collaboration between the two island nations, focusing on climate resilience, education, and sustainable development. She also met with Seuula Ioane, Samoa’s minister of education and culture, and discussed integrating technology into education systems and the need for ongoing teacher training, particularly in remote island communities. “Minister Ioane highlighted similar initiatives in Samoa, including the distribution of laptops to students and the challenges of equipping teachers to embrace new technology,” the statement said. Leatinu’u Faumuina Wayne So’oialo, Samoa’s minister of public enterprise, also met with the premier and shared the details on the Samoa Housing Corporation, which provides low-income housing support through government- backed loans while paying dividends back to the government. “Both delegations explored the possibility of adopting similar housing models in the Cayman Islands,” the statement added. Premier attends Commonwealth leaders meeting in Samoa From left, head of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit in the Attorney General's Chambers, Francis Arana; director of the Regulatory Affairs Unit in the Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce, Andrea Proctor; Deputy Premier André Ebanks; FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo; Attorney General Samuel Bulgin; FATF Executive Secretary Violaine Clerc; Cayman Islands Monetary Authority Managing Director Cindy Scotland; head of CIMA's Anti-Money Laundering Division Judiann Myles; and FATF Vice President Jeremy Weil. - Photo: Supplied Cayman gets ‘seat and voice’ at money laundering watchdog table Deputy Premier André Ebanks at an FATF plenary session in Paris. - Photo: Herve Cortinat, FATF/OECD cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024Customised credit card controls, by . cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Almost 900 Caymanian families were able to get their foot on the first rung of the housing ladder through government’s stamp-duty waiver for first-time home buyers. The policy cost around $15.35 million in lost revenue over the past three years and eight months. That’s out of a total of $27.25 million worth of duty concessions over the time period. Between 2021 and August 2024, the government granted a total of 891 applications for concessions to Caymanian property buyers in Grand Cayman. The policy allows qualifying Caymanian home buyers to avoid the 7.5% tax payment – which makes buying a first home prohibitively expensive. As of this year, Caymanians buying their second home have also been able to take advantage of a 3.75% stamp duty, provided the value of their property is below the $600,000 threshold. This is according to figures released to the Cayman Compass through a recent freedom of information request. From January to August this year, government recorded $4.6 million in foregone revenue through the stamp-duty waivers, the highest figure based on the information that was released. The total amounts from 2021 to August this year accrued under three separate finance ministers – Chris Saunders (April 2021-March 2023) and Wayne Panton (March 2023-November 2023), both under the PACT administration; and Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly (Nov 2023 – present) under the current UPM administration. ‘No blanket policy’ Granting of concessions is not a new issue and has previously ignited debate, especially with the challenges of population growth and the demand for housing both issues of concern for the community. While stamp- duty waivers for large expensive developments have ignited some controversy there is relatively broad support for the rebates for Caymanian buyers. The Ministry of Finance, in its response to the Compass request for formal guidelines on concessions, stated that there is “no blanket policy for granting waivers or refunds”. “Applications for the waiver or refund of stamp duty, import duty, or planning fees are considered by the Minister for Finance and Economic Development and/or the Cabinet on a case by case basis,” it said. These applications, it explained, are processed by the ministry’s corporate unit, “but the decisions regarding the grant or refusal of any waiver or refund are made by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development or the Cabinet”. Since 2015, the Office of the Auditor General had been recommending that government develop “a formal, comprehensive concessions policy”, but so far, none has been developed. There have been attempts to create a concession policy in the past, but those only made it to draft stages and there has been no further movement on any document to structure the process. By the numbers According to the data, in addition to the 891 stamp-duty concessions granted to first- time homeowners, a total of 242 applications for Cayman Brac stamp-duty concessions were granted between 2021 and August 2024 amounting to about $2.19 million in foregone revenue, with the highest amount recorded in 2021 at $1.13 million. Based on the figures released, the Minister for Finance granted a total of 391 discretionary concessions between 2021 and August 2024, amounting to a total of $6.5 million. While in 2021, the highest number of applications granted was 181, amounting to $1.6 million, the highest amount of foregone revenue under the discretionary concessions category was recorded in 2022 at $3 million. The unaudited quarterly report on core government finances for the six-month period ending 30 June explained that “many revenues foregone are statute- based (e.g. Stamp Duty Waivers for First Time Caymanian Property Buyers) and are granted once certain specified criteria in statutes are satisfied, whilst others are based on judgement and discretion”. Roughly 1,107 import duty waivers were granted between 2021 and August 2024 amounting to $3.15 million. What the law says The ministry stated that there are Cabinet-approved policies which provide stamp-duty concessions for Caymanians purchasing their first or second properties and as well as on the purchase of undeveloped property on Cayman Brac which make up the foregone revenues. These applications are processed in accordance with the relevant sections of the Customs and Border Control Act and the Stamp Duty Act. As for other types of concessions, the ministry said that provisions are made in the law for discretionary stamp- duty concessions by the Minister for Finance and Economic Development under the Stamp Duty Act and the Development and Planning Act concerning the waiver/refund of planning fees. The waiver on stamp duty mean Caymanian first-time home buyers did not have to pay the 7.5% tax on house payments. - Photo: File Hundreds of families used tax rebate to buy first home “[There is] no blanket policy for granting waivers or refunds.” Minstry of Finance The number of stamp-duty concessions granted by government to Caymanian property buyers in Grand Cayman between 2021 and August 2024 891 cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024Congratulate CIG High Schools on their commendable performance in the 2024 sitting of the CSEC, GCSE and CAPE examinations. Here are some of the highlights of the June 2024 results. John Gray High School Clifton Hunter High School 33 out of 35 students passed English A (CSEC) Overall public-school passes exceed regional average in 18 Subjects Layman E. Scott High School students passed English A (CSEC) 204 out of 285 100% pass rate 100% pass rate 100% pass rate Family & Resource Management, Food & Nutrition, Human & Social Biology, Industrial Technology (Building), PE & Sports, Accounting, Spanish, Technical Drawing (CSEC) Biology, Economics, English B, Industrial Technology (Building), IT, Office Administration, Physical Education & Sport General, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, Add Math (CSEC) including: English, Math and Integrated Science Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies, Physical Education & Sport (CAPE) 29 out of 38 students passed Mathematics (CSEC) 100% pass rate Physical Education & Sport (CSEC) 23 out of 24 students passed Industrial Technology (Building) (CSEC) pass rate in Information Technology 96% pass rate in Biology 94% pass rate in Industrial Technology (Building) 98% pass rate in English A 77% pass rate in Office Administration 96% Overall passes EXCEED international average in English and Science. 100% pass rate in Digital Media Unit 1 (CAPE) 121 out of 147 students passed English A (CSEC) 62 out of 77 students passed Integrated Science (CSEC) pass rate in Statistics (GCSE) 92.9% cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 25-31 OCTOBER 2024Next >