An efficiency move to amalgamate two government quangos has been approved by legislators.

The West End Development Corporation Amendment Act 2024 will combine the Bermuda Land Development Company, based in the East End, with the West End Development Corporation, into a new entity known as the Bermuda Land Management Corporation.

On Friday, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, told the House of Assembly that the Government had reviewed past reports, including the Spending and Government Efficiency report of 2013, recommending “the consolidation of government quangos that share similar functions”.

“This Bill seeks to provide the statutory transfer of the assets, liabilities and functions of the BLDC to Wedco,” he said, noting that it was not a true merger given the different legal status of both, but an amalgamation.

The legislation would entail repealing the Base Lands Development Act 1996, moving the Government’s title to the land to the BLMC, which will be empowered to make leases to a maximum term of 262 years, up from 120 years under the old legislation.

Changes to the Companies Act 1981 will enable corporate leases up to that new threshold, versus the 50 years previously set.

MPs heard that the Regulatory Authority has approved transferring the communications licence held by the BLDC to the BLMC.

The new entity will also not require planning permission to subdivide properties.

The oversight of the legislature will not change, Colonel Burch added, and there would be no redundancies as a result of the merger, even though there would be nine fewer posts.

The amalgamation received broad support in the House from both sides of the aisle.

Craig Cannonier, for the One Bermuda Alliance, said Wedco had always set a high standard and while the Opposition had some questions about the legislation, he agreed that the merger would bring efficiencies.

Neville Tyrrell, the Government Whip, said he had worked with both Wedco and BLDC and that both organisations worked well without an operating grant.

He said management worked closely with unions throughout the amalgamation process, noting that reductions in posts came through attrition rather than redundancies.

Susan Jackson praised the minister for bringing the merger over the finish line, adding that she looked forward to what came next for the significant properties to be overseen by the new body.

“This is a huge responsibility. This is a lot of acreage and we must be able to make sure we can handle it responsibly,” she said.

Ms Jackson also noted that the BLMC would hold a good deal of brownfield space ripe for potential development, suggesting additional housing in the East End for seniors as an option with high potential.

Colonel Burch noted that the Government had made an announcement about converting Channel House into seniors’ housing, and the proposal had seen an exciting level of interest.

He added that the BLMC would work hard and creatively to support the project to benefit Bermuda’s seniors and create revenue for the new body.