The Montserrat Reporter

Premier Donaldson Romeo

Premier, the Honourable Donaldson Romeo will be attending the ‘39^th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community’ to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this week.  

The Heads of Government Meeting from July 4 to 6 will bring together Heads from CARICOM and Associate Member States, to discuss a number of matters of importance for the Caribbean community.  The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and how to make it more effective, is one of the agenda items. 

Other matters to be discussed include, ‘Building Resilience’ specifically as it relates to disaster resilience in the Caribbean Community Post Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  A draft declaration on climate change which was requested by the Council for Foreign and Community Relations is also on the agenda for approval by the Heads.  Security and boarder issues, the report on the marijuana commission, matters related to the Caribbean Court of Justice and a CARICOM Regional strategy for the development of statistics are also carded for deliberations.   

The Conference of Heads of Government meeting also includes the ‘24^th Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub Committee (PMSC) On External Economic Negotiations’ to be held on Thursday, July 5.  During this meeting, the PMSC will receive an overview of the regional and global developments relevant to CARICOM’s external trade agenda.  There will also be discussions on future trade relations with the United Kingdom post Brexit. 

Premier Romeo will be accompanied by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr. Phillip Chambers.  

Notice of Application for Prescriptive Title

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Summary Report of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly Meetings held in 23^rd November 19^th December 2017       &    January 12^th 2018.

1. The following papers were laid on the table:

Attorney General                                              23^rd   November 2017                                                                                                       

S R & O No. 64 of 2017   Legislator’s Conditions of Service (Repeal) Regulations Order 2017.

Financial Secretary                            19^th December 2017

• S R & O No.65 of 2017 Customs Duties and Consumption Tax (Ethlyn Cassell)  

                                          (Exemption) Order 2017;

• S R & O No.66 of 2017  Customs Duties and Consumption Tax (Disaster Preparedness)

                                                       (Exemption) Order 2017;

• S R & O No.68 of 2017   (Control and Management) (Appointment of Customs Port)

                                              (Plymouth Port) Order 2017;

• S R & O No.69 of 2017   Customs Duties and Consumption Tax (Disaster Preparedness)

       (Exemption) Order 2017.

• Attorney General             19^th December 2017

            S R & O No. 67 of 2017     Race and Speed Trial (Designation of Place) Order 2017.

          Financial Secretary   12^th   January 2018

• The Golden Years Foundation for the Care of the Elderly Financial Statement for the Year ended 31 December 2016;
• Environmental Audit on Managing Clinical Waste in the Public Health Sector, Office of the Auditor General;
• Montserrat Financial Services Commission Audited Financial Statement for year ended 31^st December, 2017.                                                                                                         

2. The Introduction, First, Second and Third Reading of the following Bill took place in November 2017:

                        ‘Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017’

 First Reading 23^rd November 2017

Second Reading 23^rd November 2017

Third Reading 23^rd November 2017  

This Bill sought to sanction certain payments from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund in excess of the sums provided by law for the services of the Government of Montserrat.

         The Bill was passed with minor adjustments.

3. The Introduction and First Reading of the following Bill took place in November and it had a second reading in December 2017:

                       ‘Domestic Violence Bill’

                         First Reading 23^rd November 2017

                        Second Reading 19^th December 2017

The Bill seeks to provide greater protection for victims of domestic violence and to make provision for the granting of protection orders and for connected matters.  Part I deals with the short title and interpretation, part 2 deals with protection orders, part 3 deals with police powers of entry and arrest and part 4 deals with miscellaneous matters. 

The Bill was referred to a select committee which would report back to the Legislative Assembly within six months.

4. The Introduction, First, Second and Third Reading of the following Bill took place in January 2018

         ‘Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) Bill 2017’

                                                            First Reading 12^th January 2018

                                                Second Reading 12^th January 2018

                                                Third Reading 12^th January 2018                      

This Bill sought to sanction certain payments from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund in excess of the sums provided by law for the services of the Government of Montserrat.  It was passed with minor amendments to the short title and commencement as follows: Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Act, 2017 changed to Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2 of 2017) Act 2018, the name of the Bill was changed from Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2017 to Supplementary Appropriation (No.2 of 2017) Bill 2018.

5. The Introduction and First Reading of the following Bill took place in  January 2018

                    ‘Companies Bill’

                              First Reading 12^th January 2018

The Bill seeks to replace existing company statutes with a new up to date, Companies Act.  Part I deals with the short title and interpretation, part 2—formation of companies, capacity and powers, part 3—shares, distributions and share redemptions, part 4—members, part 5—company administration, part 6 directors and secretary, part 7—registration of charges, part 8—receivers and receiver-managers, part 9—merger, consolidation, sale of assets, forced redemptions and arrangements, part 10—continuation, part 11—members’ remedies, part 12—foreign companies, part 13—strike-off and dissolution, part 14—liquidation,   part 15—investigation of companies,  part 16—administration and general, part 17-miscellaneous and transitional.

Bills that had their first readings can be read in their entirety at any of the following places:

Yours sincerely

___________

Sgd. Judith Baker (Mrs)

On Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – The Government Information Unit issued this release that says the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management will continue to engage members of the public over the next few weeks, for feedback on the ‘Economic Growth Strategy and Delivery Plan for Montserrat’.

During the period January 22^nd to January 26^th, Chief Economist in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Raja Kadri, will be available to meet with any member of the public who would like to discuss the strategy in detail and share their feedback. Mr. Kadri will be available between 8:30a.m. to 4:00p.m. to meet with any individual or group. 

Individuals or groups interested in meeting with Mr. Kadri are asked to call the Ministry of Finance on 491-2777 and indicate their preferred date and time.  The meetings will be held in the Conference Room, on the second floor of the Office of the Premier building.

Following these meetings, additional public consultations will be held in Salem, Brades and Look Out.  The dates and times for these meetings will be announced in the coming days.

In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to review the ‘Economic Growth Strategy and Delivery Plan for Montserrat’ which is available online.  

The document is available in the publications section of the Government of Montserrat website.  To access the document, individuals should go to www.gov.ms click on the ‘publications’ tab, then click on ‘Ministry of Finance’ in the list provided.  Once on this page, click on the pdf ‘Growth Strategy & Delivery Plan 2017-DRAFT’ to open or download the document. 

Alternatively, individuals can access the document at the following link http://www.gov.ms/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Growth-Strategy-Delivery-Plan-2017-DRAFT-.pdf

A survey is also being conducted to allow individuals to share their views on the document and to provide their suggestions.  Persons who decide to complete the survey should first read the ‘Economic Growth Strategy and Delivery Plan’.  The survey is confidential and the responses cannot be linked back to any individual.  To complete the survey, please go to the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/drafteconomicstrategysurveyGOM.

 A clickable link to the survey is also available on www.gov.ms under the ‘Growth Strategy & Delivery Plan 2017-DRAFT’ pdf.

INLAND REVENUE DIVISION NOTICE

Property Owners and agents of properties are advised that the General Post Office here on Montserrat will not accept British Postal Order after December 29th, 2017. Therefore persons who intend to pay their 2017 Property Tax bill and other taxes by British Postal Order should ensure that the funds are received by the Inland Revenue Department by Friday, December 22nd, 2017.

Regrettably, payments received after that date will be returned to the sender. Management of the Inland Revenue regrets any inconvenience caused by this change.

Sgd. Violette R Silcott

COMPTROLLER, INLAND REVENUE DIVISON

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The public is advised that the Electoral Commission is presently making arrangements to prepare a Preliminary List of Voters between June and August 2017. All eligible voters are accordingly invited to apply for registration under Regulation 3 of the Election (Continuous Registration) Regulations. A person shall be entitled to be registered as a voter and when registered, to vote at an election if he/she:

a)Has attained the age of 18 years and

b)Is not a person of unsound mind as found under any law in force in Montserrat; and

c)Is a Commonwealth citizen; and

d)Has resided in Montserrat for thirty-six (36) months immediately preceding the date of registration as a voter or is domiciled in Montserrat and is resident therein at the date of such registration; and

e)Is not disqualified under the provisions of the Elections Ordinance from being registered as a voter.

f) If he/she is out of the country to follow a recognized course of full time study or training and obtains a certificate to that effect from the Ministry of Education.

Once approved, the names will be deemed included in the Preliminary List of Voters when it is prepared from June 1 to August 31. The new list will include the deletion of names as required under Section 16 of the Elections Act”.

At the time of registration, persons seeking to be registered need to provide one (1) form of Government Issued photo Identification (ID) (such as Passport or Driver’s Licence) and proof of address.

Persons are kindly asked to note that the deadline for registration is May 31^st 2017.

Persons can register or get further information at the Elections Office, Legislature Department, #1 Farara Plaza, Brades, Montserrat.
This information can be viewed at  www.constitution.ms