Statutory boards review to look at political interference
An end-of-year deadline has been proposed for a review of how statutory boards are being run in the BVI and a key focus of that assessment will be on ‘political interference’.
In a proposal made to UK Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling, the government said that it is proposing for Cabinet to put forward a suitable candidate — such as a senior public officer — to lead a review of all statutory boards.
The proposal made by government follows a number of recommendations made in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report which was released several weeks ago by Governor John Rankin.
Review to examine political interference
Among other things, the government proposes that the review establish the extent to which those boards are applying policies intended to promote good governance. These policies would include a conflict-of-interest policy and a political interference policy.
Further to this, the proposal said the review is also expected to establish the extent to which statutory boards follow a due diligence policy, the steps needed to remedy any deficiencies, and the timescale in which the steps should be accomplished.
The review is also expected to establish the extent to which statutory boards are behind in their obligations to submit timely financial reports and audits, the proposal noted.
COI recommended protocol for board operations
In the meantime, Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom recommended in his COI report that there should be a protocol for the appointment and removal of statutory board members. He said this should be published and applicable to all such boards.
Sir Gary said this protocol should be based on the principles of good governance so that appointments and revocation of appointments are based on clearly expressed and publish criteria.
He further recommended that the protocol include a provision for the advertisement of posts, appropriate application forms, and appropriate checks and interviews before a panel of independent members.
Restricted circumstances to deviate
The report noted that there should be also be restricted circumstances in which the executive cannot proceed with the panel’s recommendation and the rights to an independent appeal in appropriate cases.
Importantly, Sir Gary said that it should not be necessary for the protocol to include any residual ministerial discretionary powers and noted that any such power should only be maintained where necessary.
If such powers were to be included, he said they should be subject to clearly expressed and published guidance.
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We don’t have to look far for this should only take a day.
The problem in the BVI is that their is a small group that are all related that run everything. They keep it that way by not allowing citizenship, not allowing any whites in and passing positions down the family tree. There is no way to get honest people for any board or minister position. If this was reversed and it was whites keeping blacks out the uproar and accusations of racism would be deafening. I was in hope the UK would take over to resolve this issue but alas the UK f**ked up once again. BVI=Apartheid State
I’m neither going to agree or disagree, but I will point out that I know of numerous white people who have sat on statutory boards over the years. As for Caribbean expats, I can’t think of one.
Andrew had a island over the port board for the first couple of months until he made a frig
There are many locals here who can run things in the BVI, why do you see the need to mention ‘whites’? When the ‘Whites’ have their own systems in the private sector to protect positions for ‘THEM’ regardless of qualifications or capabilities you hear nothing about it, or if a local complains it’s we are lazy, not worthy xyz. Now ironically the Government is called racist for looking out for their own people first? Your reverse racism accusations won’t work, trust me and if the UK think they can come here and change who we are then think again. There are problems to be fixed and we can fix them. There are locals who are above board and will put country first, those are the ones that we need in positions, not ‘whites’.
As a former member of a board, unfortunately what the last vip government did by putting in cronies with no skills or knowledge in relation to the subject matters, put all boards in a bad light.
On these boards there are some good people with relevant knowledge and desire to serve at this level and contribute to their country.
Despite what might be said, the pay is not great, $1,000 for the level of responsibility you take on is peanuts, but hard working board members who love their country do it for just that, love of country.
Not all board members want to be on 5 to 6 boards where we may not understand what is needed, or properly prepare for meetings.
Not all of us want to be there just to be SEEN as important but to contribute.
Not all of us are there to take orders from politicians but to bring hope to the staff of the the statutory body and make good decisions for the benefit of all, even under the threat of being fired.
Lets hope we can find some good members for the boards that most urgently need it at this time, Ports, Airports, Social Security, Hospital and although not a board, the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands.
No interest in how we could improve the boards functionalities. No interest in how we could make them more efficient and profitable. We know that there is political interference. Guess what? Every single board in the world has some sort of political interference including the Great UK and the US. Stop trying to make us feel as if something is wrong with us and that we are only place where this happens. Once you have politics and you have boards there will always be interference and this is everywhere in the world. This is a further attempt to destroy our local leaders in the mind of the public. BVI people, wake the h**l up!
the gravy train is over
I would strongly recommend that you do some research on corporate governance in the UK and the US before you start blogging your foolishness again.
Most boards in UK and US serves publicly traded companies and there are serious penalties if a board member breaches his fiduciary duty.
With regards our leaders whatever is happening to them they brought it on themselves and the BVI you toucan by no means blame anyone else.
I think you completely miss what the post above said. The post refers to government statutory boards. You went on to take about publicly traded companies. Not the same thing. And yes, the post is right.
First NPT
Long overdue. I cannot forget how the many stalwarts within the BVI community were unceremoniously ousted from the boards they served on without thanks for the services rendered, per the Head Coach’s commands, and replaced by close friends and family members who did not know squat about the duties involved.
Start with HSA as that has been widely abused. One of the main reasons why they are/have been functioning at a deficit. Remove that ENTIRE board and replace with competent, professional non-politically affiliated persons. Way too much PEP’s in critical decision making processes. BVIEC next up!
are antiquated in this 21st century. Rule by committee costs more and wastes resources. If cruise ships were operated by a ‘board’ rather than a single captain the ship would never leave the dock!
This is a good thing. Politicians have sought to appease supporters by giving them positions on Stat Boards for far to long. When you think about all the nonsense the VIP especially and the former Premier has engaged in relative to appointments on Stat Board, it’s cringe worthy.
REMOVE ** AND ANY OF HIS ASSOCIATES FROM ANY AND ALL MEDICAL BOARDS IMMEDIATELY. That man is out for himself only and has no regard for the people of the BVI. Putting blocks on vital medical equipment whilst simultaneously using his pharmacies and medical practices to drain the NHI… he HAS TO GO. The NHI system was put in place to benefit the majority (who have no choice but to pay their contributions), he has used his position and his friends to turn it into a system that benefits his bank account and he doesn’t give a flying F*** about the medical care or facilities available to the majority. A criminal investigation into his actions should also be done.
LOOKS LIKE YOU STILL SLEEPING / WHO SAID HERE IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT IT HAPPENS ( DUH ) THE TRUTH REALLY HURTS , DREAM ON
Bring back Mrs Skelton to SSB for 2 years to right the ship! Talk about a pioneer who LOVES her country! Although, how she was treated so badly in the end she may not want to come back.
Ms. Skelton did not treat the staff well!!!
NHI is a big joke. Mrs Skelton need to be back there… Barry and his non productive managers need to go. It need a forward thinking team there. Then collecting big pay and only there for show while we the people are being trampled on wth their slowness, uncaring attitude and find every excuses not to pay claims. They all got to goes