Cambridge Beaches incentives to be presented to MPs today
A slew of statements are expected to be made by ministers in the House of Assembly today, including updates on the Government’s financial performance and the island’s economic recovery plan.
The Order of Business also showed that a tourism investment order for Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa is to be laid for MPs to consider.
A total of 14 ministerial statements are on today’s agenda with three listed to be made by David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance.
As well as the financial performance update, he is expected to tell MPs about an amendment of benefits order for contributory pensions, and a Bill covering changes to the Banks and Deposit Companies Act, which will both be laid in the House.
Vance Campbell, the Minister of Tourism, is to lay the Tourism Investment (Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa) Order 2022 and give a statement on it.
Dovetail + Co took ownership of the Sandys property last year and said that a three-year upgrade was in the pipeline.
Tourism investment orders made under the Tourism Investment Act 2017 can provide concessions such as relief from certain customs duties, hotel occupancy tax and the employer’s share of payroll tax if the proposed project is deemed to be in the island’s economic interest.
MPs passed a Bill in May that allowed for tax concessions estimated to be worth between $121 million and $133 million over 15 years to Fairmont Southampton owners Gencom.
It was revealed at the time that the Government would give a guarantee of up to $75 million, representing 21 per cent of the revised costs of the project of $376 million.
The House of Assembly heard in March that an agreement was reached between the Government and Westend Properties, which was bought by Gencom in 2019.
Replying to a question from Cole Simons, the Leader of the Opposition, the Premier said then: “Once the guarantee is confirmed, that will be tabled in this House based on the Government Loans Act.”
A government spokeswoman said last night: “Under Section 2AA(3) of the Government Loans Act 1978, the Minister of Finance is required to ‘inform the Legislature’ as soon as is practicable after the execution of any guarantee.
“In accordance with the law, this will be done as required.”
Kim Wilson, the health minister, will tell MPs today about the island’s Covid-19 vaccination programme and Diallo Rabain, the education minister, will talk about preparations for the introduction of signature learning programmes in September.
Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, is to provide an update on the economic recovery plan as well as a statement about processing British Overseas Territory Citizen Bermuda passports.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, is expected to tell MPs about airport fire services.
Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, will give statements about annual reports from Consumer Affairs and the Legal Aid Office.
Other ministerial statements are expected to include information about the Government’s skills development programme, the launch of an economic partnership between Bermuda and the United Nations and an update on the litigation guardian service.
* To see the House of Assembly Order of Business in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.
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