News

There are reports that the developers of a proposed major golf course and residential project taking in Junks Hole, Captain’s Bay and Windward Point have been told by Government that their start-up date will have to be after 30-36 months. The project involves 500 acres of land and the provision of 2083 rooms. The developers are Urban Nicklaus Holdings and Property Markets Group.

The Physical Planning Bill, 2005 and the Labour Code Bill, 2005 which were postponed in the House of Assembly on August 23 after the first readings, are attracting serious debate island-wide. Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, David Carty, called for the postponement of the Bills on that date in the interest of transparent government and democracy to allow the Elected Members to discuss the provisions of the draft legislation with their constituents and to obtain the peoples’ “serious and wise input.” That input is regarded as being so serious and important that a number of Anguillian lawyers and other concerned persons have thrown themselves into the public debate as well.

Physicians, Nurses and Emergency Medical Technicians, serving with the Health Authority of Anguilla, have just undergone a short, but vigorous, course which can help them save the lives of persons suffering from cardiac arrest commonly referred to as heart attack.

Anguilla’s Clinical Psychologist and local and regional Workshop Facilitator, Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, says the island is fortunate that its Public Service is not corrupt unlike situations in other parts of the world where there are high percentages of corruption.

Senior Adviser to the Anguilla Government, Leith Errington Reid, and Justice Ian Donaldson Mitchell, QC, are the recipients of the awards of Officer and Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire respectively from Queen Elizabeth The Second.

On Tuesday, September 6, the Government side of the Anguilla House of Assembly kept its promise made on August 23 to begin a series of public discussions on the Labour Code Bill, 2005 and the Physical Planning Bill, 2005 which have already received their first reading. Notably absent, however, were the Opposition Members who had indicated their willingness to participate in the town meetings. The aim is for the elected representatives to get the views and input of the people on the draft legislation which was previously discussed at policy level by administrative personnel with members of the public.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Anguilla Limited, E. Valentine Banks, was presented with the number one business award won by NBA in a survey conducted under the auspices of the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Anguillians and other persons residing in Anguilla are advised of the new French immigration requirements now in force in St.Martin.

The Anguilla Government has set out to establish a modern fire and rescue service as a priority. The move takes into account the rapid pace of economic development, the need to maintain the response requirement of a Category 5 Wallblake Airport and, generally, the need to have an overall professional and fully-functional fire service for the island.

Residents in the Stoney Ground area and other parts of the Valley North Constituency have shown how community participation can play a vital role in nation-building.

The Chief Minister’s Office in Anguilla, concerned over various social issues stemming from development, immigration and labour matters, initiated a panel discussion on the St. Maarten/Anguilla experience on Wednesday evening this week.

The Anguilla House of Assembly has stayed its hand on two pieces of legislation for the time being. The move is to give the electorate – and the general public for that matter – a chance to join their elected representatives in a study of the provisions and to guide them on how they should proceed in the national interest.

On Wednesday 24th August, Melinda Goddard, MBA, Principal of ClienTell Consulting LLC presented the results of the second annual Anguilla Business Survey. The presentation took place at English Rose’s ‘The Next Level’ at 5.30 pm.

The feeling has been expressed locally that the arrival of the Queen’s Baton here, as part of its travels throughout the Commonwealth, is not only a recognition of the island’s place in the body of nations, but an incentive for tiny Anguilla’s participation in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The importance of Anguilla’s marine resources to the island’s economic development in general, and the tourism product in particular, was emphasised at a one-day review workshop at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, August 17.

Anguilla is to have a Labour Code for the first time, consolidating all the various pieces of legislation and regulations and providing for a number of new initiatives including workers’ compensation.

The Queen’s Relay Baton for the XVIII Commonwealth Games arrived at Wallblake Airport in Anguilla on Thursday afternoon on a Winair flight from St. Kitts. This was followed by a welcome reception at which the Baton was received by Governor Alan Huckle and Acting Chief Minister Victor Banks.

Anguilla is this week hosting the 18th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Regional Council of Soroptimist International from August 9 - 13 under the theme “Unity Through Communication.” The conference has brought together some 100 delegates, representing 17 clubs, from Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Anguillal. There are also representatives from the UK-based Federation.

Despite some disturbances of the carnival activities a number of troupes and revellers took to the streets in Anguilla during the Summer Festival.

Fears of ferocious dogs in Anguilla reached a new dimension when a child was attacked and killed on August 4th at a home in the Forest.