It has been perceived over many years
that it is “who you know” that will get your application for
planning approved.

It has been seen over the years
approvals have been given by the Central Planning Authority (CPA)
that has raised many eyebrows. I daren't say any more than that.

Auditor General Sue Winspear has made
public her concerns about the impartiality of the CPA in its decision
making.

Her recent report, “Fighting
Corruption in the Cayman Islands” has singled out the CPA as an
example showing potential vulnerabilities within government to
corruption or the perceptions of corruption.

In a number of my editorials concerning
the CPA, I have stated my concerns over the dominance within the
Board of persons in the construction and development sector, The same
concerns have been raised by the Auditor General.

I can appreciate one needs certain of
these professionals for advice but they do not need to be on the
board to cast a vote.

Despite warnings and concerns raised by
Winspear's predecessors governments have done precious little to make
changes.

Why?

Now Planning Director Haroon Pandohie
and the chief officer in the ministry responsible for the CPA, Alan
Jones, told Public Accounts Committee (PAC) separately last Wednesday
that, based on a legal opinion from the Attorney General, the Public
Authorities Law does not apply to the CPA. This is the legislation
that was introduced to make public authorities more transparent.

Both Pandohie and Jones told the PAC
THERE WAS LITTLE WAY TO VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT MEMBERS WERE RECUSING
THEMSELVES APPROPRIATELY OR BENEFITING DIRECTLY FROM THEIR ROLES.

This is intolerable.

The chairman of the CPA is the owner of
the largest supplier of building materials in the Cayman Islands. He
would surely want to rectify any notions he had a peculiar interest
in any of the developments that come before him? The man I am talking
about is AL Thompson.

Apparently, Thompson was appointed
because he is an architect and the fact he owns the building
materials company was purely coincidental.

The whole affair that stinks from the
top to the tail lies solely with the government of the day. And it
seems to be largely the same people being appointed no matter what
government is in power.

Recommendations that a lawyer be
appointed to the CPA haven't happened. The reason given is no one
could be found because of the amount of unpaid legal work they would
have to do.

I say that is utter hogwash!

I have to agree 100% with Bodden Town
MLA, Chris Saunders, when he said, “just about everybody sitting on
that board [CPA] is conflicted”.

Because of that the smell of corruption
gets more nauseous.