(CMR) Eight Private Member's Motions were passed in Parliament on Thursday, 21 September, with promises for several of the suggested policies to be implemented soon.
Cost of Electricity (Passed)
Member of Parliament for West Bay West, Hon. McKeeva Bush brought a motion regarding the cost of electricity and moved that the Government commissions an independent investigation into how the Caribbean Utilities Company conducts its meter readings and how the results are calculated. MP for Bodden Town West, Hon. Chris Saunders, seconded the motion. The motion was later amended to include Island Energy Limited.
Regulation of Grave Sites (Passed)
MP for West Bay West Hon. McKeeva Bush brought a motion on the need for legislation to regulate and protect family burial plots. The motion was seconded by MP Chris Saunders and was later passed unanimously.
Reintroduction of the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage Programme (Passed)
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and MP for George Town North, Hon. Joey Hew’s motion to reintroduce the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage Programme (GGHAM) was seconded by the Member for George Town East, Premier Hon. Wayne Panton who stated that he hoped to have the GGHAM would be reinstated during the first quarter of 2024. The motion passed with seventeen in favor and one absentee.
Supporting Caymanians into Full-time Employment (Passed)
MP Hew also brought a motion to make the National Community Enhancement Project (NiCE) a year-round program to address the long-term unemployment of Caymanians. This was seconded by MP for Red Bay, Hon. Sir Alden McLaughlin. The motion was passed with fourteen votes.
The Sale of Pepper Spray for Self-Defence and Personal Protection (Passed)
MP for George Town West David Wight brought a motion for current legislation to be amended to allow persons to carry pepper spray for self-defense and personal protection. The motion was seconded by MP for Red Bay Hon. Alden McLaughlin. Following the debate, the motion passed with sixteen in favor, one no, and one absent.
Sister Islands Inflation Relief Initiatives (Withdrawn)
Member of Parliament for Cayman Brac West Moses Kirkconnell brought a motion for the implementation of inflation relief initiatives for the Sister Islands. The motion was seconded by Hon. Joey Hew. After initial debate, MP Kirkconnell withdrew the motion in order to gather additional information.
Cost of Living Adjustment for Ex-Gratia Financial Assistance & the Civil Service Pensions Uplift (Passed)
Hon. Alden McLaughlin’s motion was for a further cost of living adjustment for those in receipt of long-term financial assistance from CI$1250 to $1500 effective 1 January 2024. He also proposed a further uplift for retirees receiving civil service pensions to $1500 effective 1 January 2024. The motion was seconded by MP Hon. Roy McTaggart. The motion passed unanimously, with seventeen in favor and one absent.
CIG Programme to Encourage Private Sector Schemes for Affordable Homes (Passed)
MP Joey Hew’s other motion was for the government to consider incentivizing private sector builders to create energy-efficient, affordable housing and home rental schemes, which was seconded by MP McTaggart. The motion passed with ten votes in favor, three opposed, one abstention, and four absent.
Creation of Select Committee to Review Fuel in the Cayman Islands (Passed)
The final motion of the day was brought forward by Chris Saunders, which asked Parliament to create a Select Committee to review fuel costs and report findings by February 2024. The motion was seconded by MP McKeeva Bush. The motion was passed unanimously.
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