Delivered by

His
Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper OBE

November 2019
- Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly Building

Mr
Speaker, Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly, ladies and
gentlemen, good morning.

It
has been a little over a year since my wife, Lissie, and I arrived in
these beautiful Islands. We have very much enjoyed getting to know
you and are very grateful for the warm ’CaymanKind’ welcome we
have received.

It
is an honour to join you today to outline the Government’s plans
for the financial years 2020 and 2021.

The
budget reflects the agenda of the National Unity Government. It
will fully comply with the public management and finance law and the
principles. I pay tribute to the government’s prudence and
responsibility in managing the country’s finances.

In
2020-2021 Government will continue to strengthen the economy and
enhance the quality of life of Caymanians and all who live on these
Islands.

Capital
projects and the economy

Plans
for the next two years include major investments in the road network,
completion of the new John Gray High School and a new Sunrise
Training Centre for adults with special needs. Work is also expected
on the integrated solid waste management system, as well as the long
term residential mental health services facility which will allow
patients to be treated on-Island for the first time.

The
Ministry of District Administration, Aviation, Tourism and Transport
also has plans to move forward two significant projects: the cruise
berthing facility and enhanced cargo port, subject to the result of
the referendum, as well as airside works at Owen Roberts
International Airport. There will also be continued investment in the
infrastructure of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. These projects seek
to ensure that the Cayman Islands can support growing numbers of
tourist arrivals in the near future, and consolidate the sector’s
contributions to the economy and jobs.

While
tourism is an established pillar of the economy, Government is well
aware of the importance of diversification and will be looking to
stimulate growth in other areas of the economy that promote
sustainability, such as agriculture.

A
national food safety and security policy and strategy is expected
during the coming budget period that will include proposals to
increase local agricultural production and enhance opportunities for
local entrepreneurs.

Infrastructure

As
Government grows the economy, agencies within the Ministry of
Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, will work to provide a strong
strategic and technical foundation focused on building local
capacity.

The
Planning Department will continue work to update the current
development plan and Public Works Department will double the size of
its already highly successful apprenticeship programme.

Building
local capacity

Another
agency that delivers targeted training services to develop our local
talent pool is Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman. In
2020-2021 the agency known as WORC will introduce online services
that facilitate the advertising of vacancies, as well assorted
application and administrative processes.

Education

A
key goal for Government is to provide the best educational
opportunities for Caymanians of all ages, and abilities, including
vocational and technical training. Government will work to
implement the new primary school curriculum

and
the Ministry of Education has planned new and enhanced programmes to
target young learners, mature students and those with special needs.

To
enhance the quality of education services the Office of Education
Standards will increase its inspection programme over the next two
years.

Stronger
communities

In
addition to meeting the educational needs of young people Government
is also committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our
communities. This includes children but also older people and
families in need.

Many
initiatives are underway to promote this objective including a
residential facility for children in care, and the revision of
legislation that touches on adoption and child welfare among other
topics.

To
support older persons Government will work to lower their cost of
living.

Reducing
crime

Of
course a sense of physical security is also central to well-being and
quality of life. Overall crime is down by 15% year on year but there
is no room for complacency. I strongly support our excellent Police
Commissioner’s modernization programme for RCIPS.

As
announced, in early December, the RCIPS will add a second AirBus H145
helicopter to its fleet in early December to support border security,
operate rescue and medevac services within the Islands, as well as
provide local and regional disaster response, and aerial support to
the Coast Guard.

The
police will also work to prioritise investigations related to child
abuse and domestic violence through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
(MASH).

An
early and important initiative for the Coast Guard will be the
establishment of an Operations and Rescue Coordination Centre.

Like
the Coast Guard, Customs & Border Control (CBC) protects our
borders, with a particular focus on ports and airports. A key
initiative for CBC in the coming year will be the introduction of
automatic border control solutions at Owen Roberts International
Airport.

Similarly
the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for five public
safety agencies, will continue investing in technology, while working
to leverage inter-agency collaboration across the public and private
sectors, as it strives to best serve the interest of public safety.
   

The
National Security Council, which provides input and overarching
guidance to all agencies tasked with crime, safety and security
matters, will continue to meet regularly and to tackle a host of
challenges, including marine safety, road safety, border security and
cybersecurity. An updated threat assessment will enable the
preparation of a new crime reduction strategy.

The
fight against crime will also include the implementation of a
National Anti-Gang Strategy and Plan and a National Child
Safeguarding Plan. Both initiatives will be the work of teams from
across Government.

Work
will progress on setting up a Cayman Defence Regiment to bolster
security and reinforce humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
(HADR) capability in the Cayman Islands as well as the other Overseas
Territories and across the region. A team from the Ministry of
Defence will arrive next week.

Fighting
international crime

Given
the Cayman Islands status as a global financial services centre the
fight to keep the jurisdiction free of international financial crime
and maintain our strong reputation is of central importance. Adopting
international best practice keeping fully in line with increasing
global regulation and recent international assessments, such as the
Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the EU, play an important
role. The Ministry of Financial Services has also planned increased
engagement with international stakeholders to address misconceptions
about the jurisdiction. 

Civil
Service embracing planning, technology, and evidence based analysis

To
help the Government achieve its objectives, public service agencies
will work to develop their capacity to deliver effective and
efficient programmes and services that meet the needs of Caymanians
and residents. Civil servants will focus on innovation and using
evidence based analysis in their decision making.

The
Treasury Department, e-Government
unit and Postal Service plan to introduce more online services
including online
banking for Government agencies, stronger security and mobile apps.

The
Economics and Statistics Office is set to conduct the 2020 population
and housing census late next year, and will use findings to inform
policy and decision making in the public sector and business.

Our
exceptionally able Deputy Governor will continue to promote a world
class civil service, working on the goals of the Civil Service Five
Year Strategic Plan of developing leaders and talent, improving
customer service standards, and developing a strong communications
service.

My
office will continue to give strong support to our independent
Commissions and officers, who do excellent work to underpin our good
governance, including our highly respected judiciary who do so much
to support our security and prosperity.

The
UK/Cayman relationship is strong based on partnership and mutual
respect. A highly successful visit by TRHs The Prince of Wales and
Duchess of Cornwall and 2 Ministerial visits underlined our enduring
bonds. We have had constructive discussions on a good and sensible
package of constitutional changes to modernize and update our
relationship. I hope these can soon be concluded.

I
have commented separately on yesterday’s Appeal of the Judgment on
same sex marriage. It is my firm belief that the Government should
act with reasonable haste to comply with the Court’s directions.
As Governor, and Representative of Her Majesty the Queen, it is my
strong wish that, despite strong beliefs and opinions, everyone in
this Honourable House treats everyone with courtesy, dignity and
respect.

Conclusion

I
would like to end by thanking all members of the House for warmly
welcoming my wife and I to these Islands, and for their role in
creating a constructive working environment to help serve this
territory.

Over
the last year I have been greatly impressed by the Cayman Islands,
its government, Civil Service and its people and I am proud to be
your Governor. I am also grateful to all those who have worked
alongside me (including the excellent staff in my office) towards our
shared goal of ensuring that the Cayman Islands enjoy governance and
administration that is worthy of its people. I will continue to do my
utmost to support the prosperity and security of the Islands, not
least at a time of change and uncertainty as the UK Government holds
an election on 12th
December and navigates a complicated exit from the European Union.

Let
me make special mention of the Ministry of Finance, and all other
staff, who have worked tirelessly for months to ensure these budget
meetings are a success.

Like
you I am excited to see what is next for these islands. I am
confident about the future and I look forward to working with you to
ensure that Caymanians, and our residents on Island, enjoy enhanced
security and prosperity.

Thank
you and may God bless the Cayman Islands.