News

On Monday, June 13, Governor and Mrs. Alan Huckle took on the double task of hosting a mass reception and a flag ceremony on the grounds of Government House, the Queen Birthday Parade at the Ronald Webster Park having been put aside this year. The parade usually follows close on the heels of Anguilla Day when Anguillians celebrate the island’s May 30, 1967 Revolution.

A two-day Occupational Health and Safety Workshop has emphasised a call for a system whereby workers who sustain injuries on the job can receive certain compensatory benefits.

Acting Chief Minister, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Victor Banks, told a large gathering that Government has to stagger the implementation of various projects or risk a massive importation of labour. He was at the time delivering an address at the Anguilla Day celebrations at the Ronald Webster Park on Monday, May 30.

The High Court began sitting in Anguilla on Thursday, June 2, in its criminal jurisdiction.

A new school building is being proposed for Island Harbour. This was one of the matters discussed there between a team of Government Ministers, other officials and teachers this week.

As Anguilla observes the 38th Anniversary of its 1967 Revolution, which resulted in a considerable amount of economic growth and transformation, Government representatives and the people are discussing the biggest proposed development project so far which is now heading for approval. It is the Junks Hole Estate Tourism Project which, when completed, will double the present number of hotel rooms on the island.

The passage of a Bill for The Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, 2005 was delayed in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, May 24, following strong objections by two members. The draft legislation was however taken back to the House on Thursday afternoon, May 26, for further consideration.

At the end of the Cable and Wireless-sponsored 17th Annual Primary School Spelling B Competition on Tuesday night, May 17, Stoney Ground School emerged with an almost perfect record winning 39 out of a total of 40 points. The school, which came second last year, thus won the championship trophy held by Valley Primary and was awarded the first prize of US$1,000.

Anguilla is to benefit from the posting of Mr Roger Bellers, Disaster Management Adviser for the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, to Anguilla for one year. He is the adviser for all the Overseas Territories and has visited many of them. He was recently in the Turks and Caicos Islands for more than two years and prior to that in the British Virgin Islands.

An oral health survey conducted in Anguilla shows that there is a need to strengthen the island’s dental services by implementing a stronger prevention programme particularly for children.

As the need for better qualified persons in the public and private sectors of Anguilla increases, a considerable amount of interest has been shown in new opportunities for higher education being introduced on the island.

With the fast pace of development on the island and the increasing need for a dedicated and satisfied workforce, the Anguilla Government is making an aggressive effort to ensure that the working environment between employers and employees is a smooth and cooperative experience.

As Anguilla continues to measure up to the challenges of globalisation, another step has been taken to underscore its commitment to good business practices and development. This time it has done so through a one-day seminar and discussion forum on Corporate Governance held at Paradise Cove on Tuesday, April 26.

Anguilla is to follow a developing pattern in a new approach by the criminal justice system to deal with persons coming into conflict with the law and to find an alternative for them rather than prison.

The Anguilla Government is to appoint an independent consultant to undertake research and to recommend a National Minimum Wage for workers in Anguilla. This was announced by Chief Minister and Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Osbourne Fleming.

Some 300 athletes and game officials will be participating in the Leeward Islands Youth Track & Field Championships to be held at the James Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla during the period April 30 – May 1.

The Inauguration of the Ninth House of Assembly in Anguilla began with a stormy session on Tuesday, April 12, in the presence of one of the largest audiences seen there in recent times. The situation arose following the nomination of David Carty as Speaker by Chief Minister and Leader of Government Business, Osbourne Fleming.

The following is a press release issued on Tuesday April 5 by the Attorney General’s Chambers stating that the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Government in the Airport Case.

Catholics and many other persons in Anguilla have joined milling throngs around the world in following the events surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II, plans for his funeral on Friday (April 8) and arrangements for his succession in due course.

A large number of Anguillian students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School turned up for a week-long Caribbean Healthy Lifestyles Workshop this week.