Cayman Islands Financial Secretary absent from Deputy Governor and Chief Officer’s Meetings
We received copies of Minutes from the meetings of 30th July, 6th Aug, and 13th Aug, 2012 headed “Deputy Governor and Chief Officers’ Meeting.
These Minutes can be seen at the end of this story.
They have been notable for the absence of Hon. Kenneth Jefferson, the Financial Secretary, whose absence has also been noted from previous meetings.
Kenneth Jefferson has served as Financial Secretary for the Cayman Islands since 2004. He oversees the Government’s
regulatory, fiscal and budget management operations.
The Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, was present only at the Aug 6th meeting and Ms. Jennifer Ahearn who was Chief Officer, Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture took his place. Ms. Ahearn was Acting Deputy Governor in Mr. Manderson’s absence.
The three meetings all contained references to Budget Matters and cost-saving measures. In two of the minutes Chief Officers were asked to discuss these measures with elected Government officials.
The Government Administration Building (GAB) came up three times: once concerning its operational costs and how it could be reduced and the second when it was pointed out that the building was not a designated Hurricane Shelter. The third time concerned a dress code where persons invited to the GAB would be encouraged to dress appropriately and Facilities Management would monitor person’s attire pertaining to safety. The Portfolio of the Civil Service would draft a dress-code policy for Civil Servants.
As there is no legislation in place where Public Servants have to reveal their Interests the Register of Interests for Public Officials would be used.
The Auditor General, Alastair Swarbrick, who is preparing a Consultation Draft, “Reporting the Results of Our Work” would be invited to discuss it with Chief Officers and to support the Fuel Card Audit with recommendations.
Other items included:
drafting of a Financial Delegation Memo, circulation of the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment’s policy on Comp Time and the Arizona Incentive Programme. A discussion would take place to discuss the implementation of such a programme and draft a Terms of Reference.
Finally, in recognition of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) Cultural Day, it was agreed that a Civil Service cookbook would be compiled and sold electronically.
It was not disclosed what sort of cookbook it was. With Mr. Jefferson’s continual absence from the meetings, we can perhaps conclude the cookbook is to do with culinary delights.
