| Forum makes recommendations on pay cut | | Print | |
| Monday, 12 April 2010 08:50 | |||
Consultative Forum members met behind closed doors Thursday, April 8, to scrutinize the civil service pay cuts and explore opportunities offered by the constitutional reform process. They concluded the decision was unavoidable, but offered up their own further recommendations.
 According to a media release, the forum called on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Delton Jones and his team to explain in detail the rationale and process behind the cuts in civil servants’ salary. The forum heard about the alternative options considered by the ministry in its advice but said it was persuaded that, faced with an unpalatable situation, the government had chosen an option, which provided the necessary savings whilst avoiding immediate terminations of service. The forum, however, went on to make three further recommendations:
The Consultative Forum also considered the prospects for constitutional reform, hearing from Kate Sullivan, recently appointed Constitutional and Electoral Reform Team leader. Key aspects of constitutional reform that were set out were reported to include a review of the electoral system; mechanisms for disclosing donations to political parties; how the rights of all residents could be further protected; qualifications for Belongership and residency; transparency in government decision-making and integrity in public life; constitutional strengthening for public financial-management; and the balance of responsibilities between the U.K. and TCI government. As has been repeatedly said by community and political leaders, all those present agreed on the importance of consultation with individuals and stakeholder groups in TCI. The forum highlighted that:
The forum offered its platform for launching the consultation process, which will take place at the next open sitting of the forum, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13. After the meeting, Lillian Misick, new chairperson of the forum, said, “It is important that we have now had the opportunity to scrutinize the decision to cut public service pay. In these difficult times, unpalatable decisions will sometimes have to be made, but I am glad the forum was able to make what I think are very reasonable recommendations for lessening the blow on the TCI. “The Constitutional Reform process, and the arrangements being put in place for thorough consultation, represent a key opportunity for the people of TCI to determine the kind of country they want to live in. The process will consider safeguards not previously seen in TCI that I hope would give people greater confidence in their system of government. I think everyone on the forum is looking forward to getting on with this vital work.” The agenda for tomorrow, Tuesday’s forum, will include an opportunity for the forum to put any remaining questions to Kate Sullivan on the constitutional reform process and the launch of the public consultation process on constitutional reform. The forum’s deliberations on constitutional reform will continue in May when the forum intends to invite community leaders and the press to an open meeting on the matter. The forum will also hear an update from Delton Jones of the Ministry of Finance on public service pay cuts and have a discussion about important new proceeds-of-crime legislation.
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