Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4146/-1/135/
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CHIEF MINISTER MEETS ANGUILLIANS IN SLOUGH Various Issues Of Concern Raised
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A number of Anguillians living in England have had an opportunity to receive firsthand information on various matters affecting the island and its people and to raise several concerns they have. The meeting in Slough at the Methodist Church Hall was addressed by Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming and afterwards was described by all as having been very productive and enlightening.
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Chief Minister Fleming and Claude Brooks
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That meeting followed the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council conference in London at which Mr. Fleming led the Anguilla delegation. He was accompanied by Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, Permanent Secretary, Foster Rogers and Special Assistant for Public Relations, Curtis Richardson.
During the conference Mr. Fleming served as the sole representative and spokesman for all the Overseas Territories in a Special BBC documentary. He also represented the leaders of the other territories at a meeting at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth ll.
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Some of the Anguillians with whom Mr. Fleming met in Slough
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It was on Saturday, November 25, that the Anguillian Chief Minister met for over two hours with nationals of Anguilla in Slough. He shared various points he raised with Lord Triesman at the Overseas Territories Council meeting and explained some of the main issues affecting the island at present.
The discussions included improvements to the education system, the Blowing Point and Road Bay piers, the island-wide road development programme, sale of Cap Juluca, completion of the golf course, construction work on projects already underway; as well as the need to address delinquency and other social issues.
Members of the audience presented a number of ways they thought some of their concerns for Anguilla’s wellbeing could be addressed and among other matters raised the question of income tax. Mr. Fleming explained that the time for this tax might not come during his tenure of office. He however saw it as an inevitable step in order to increase Government’s revenue and to help finance such essential services as health care, education, community development as well as improvements to the island’s infrastructure.
The Chief Minister was grateful to all the nationals who attended the meeting and took the opportunity to invite them home to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution.