In a Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce op-ed last month, we highlighted the need for stronger enforcement by the Department of Planning, the weakness or absence of which has resulted in illegal development and disregard for land-zoning rules across the island.

Enforcement is critical to the success of the Bermuda Plan, which is Bermuda’s only “vision” document on how and where we should develop. Property owners and contractors must be held accountable when engaging in work that has not been approved by the planning department. If we are to maintain the integrity of our environment and culture, we must ensure that the law is respected and upheld across the board.

The weak enforcement is consistently attributed to a lack of staff and financial resources. A more serious problem that results from inadequate staffing, is an increasing disregard for the rules and laws. Where there aren’t enough staff, there will almost surely be a lack of oversight, accountability and consequences.

This issue extends beyond just the Department of Planning and, with the General Election upon us, this serves as a timely opportunity for reflection.

The importance of a fully staffed Civil Service

A fully staffed and well-managed Civil Service is essential for ensuring that laws are enforced fairly, resources are distributed equitably and public services run smoothly. Civil servants are the backbone of government operations, translating policy into action and providing the essential services that communities rely on. From law enforcement and public health to education and planning, these employees make democracy function.

Moreover, adequate staffing enables effective oversight and accountability. When government agencies are fully staffed, there are more opportunities for individuals to take responsibility, perform checks and balances, and ensure that citizens’ concerns are addressed. With such standards of practice, the Government can deliver services in a timely and equitable manner, which in turn strengthens public trust.

The consequences of understaffing

In recent years, a strategy of understaffing appears to have taken root; definitely in the planning department, which is responsible for enforcement, but also in other important public sectors:

• The parks department’s most current organisational chart suggests a need for 153 staff, while it has only 103 people employed

• The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is understaffed and as a result the management of our critical flora and fauna is in jeopardy

• There is a shortage of corrections officers

• There is a shortage of police officers

• There is a shortage of staff in our court services and justice system that is allowing child sex offenders to walk free because it is taking too long to get these issues through the courts without enough staff

• Customs officers are in short supply, too

The practice of understaffing may be presented as being cost-effective but it has far-reaching consequences for Civil Service accountability and community wellbeing.

1, Reduced accountability and oversight

An understaffed Civil Service leads to gaps in oversight. As we have seen with a recent development issue at Melville Estate in Devonshire — where a site was cleared of virtually all trees before an expired permit had been renewed — when key roles go unfilled, regulations go unenforced. Property owners and contractors may bypass the rules without consequence, eroding the public’s trust in the institutions meant to safeguard community values. This failure to enforce regulations undermines the integrity of the entire planning process, putting both the environment and the community at risk.

2, Overburdened employees and reduced morale

Understaffing also creates immense pressure on existing employees. Civil servants already juggling multiple roles are less likely to prioritise oversight, public accountability or ethical standards. Overburdened employees are at risk of burnout, which affects morale, job satisfaction and ultimately the quality of services provided. This ripple effect can lead to widespread inefficiencies and even ethical lapses, further eroding public confidence.

3, Worsening service delivery and public disillusionment

When public services suffer owing to the lack of staffing, it is the community that bears the brunt. Delays in essential services, such as planning approvals or infrastructure projects frustrate citizens and deepen public disillusionment.

4, Increased vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement

Weak oversight because of understaffing can also create fertile ground for corruption. Without sufficient personnel to monitor activities such as procurement, contracts or land development projects, mismanagement and unethical behaviour are more likely to occur. This not only wastes public resources but further diminishes trust in government institutions.

5, Erosion of public trust in government institutions

Perhaps the most damaging consequence of an understaffed Civil Service is the erosion of public trust. When citizens experience inefficiency and neglect, they begin to question the legitimacy of government institutions. This scepticism undermines the social contract, leading to disengagement and a weakened democracy.

The broader implications for the community

The lack of planning enforcement reflects a larger issue facing many communities — government decisions to prioritise short-term, financial savings over long-term stability and prosperity. Understaffed civil services may save money in the moment or allow for monies to be directed to other areas but they sacrifice the public’s confidence in the system, which can have devastating long-term effects on community wellbeing.

Responsible leadership demands dedication to protect Bermuda’s present and future. To succeed, accountability is essential. Leaders must ensure Civil Service roles are filled, the Bermuda Plan is followed, regulations are enforced fairly, and decisions are made to protect the community, the environment and future generations.

BEST is non-partisan but as we go to the polls today, we urge voters to consider what values should guide our leaders. Ask your candidates where they stand on environmental protection, their commitment to the vision outlined in the Bermuda Plan, and how they would address government staffing and enforcement challenges that impact our community’s future.

• Kim Smith is the executive director of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce

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