Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on Oct. 5 and 12 at the Financial Services Commission’s Resource Centre. All members were present for both meetings except Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro, who was on medical leave for both meetings, and Deputy Premier Kye Rymer, who was on official travel on Oct. 12. Members took the following actions, according to a summary published in the Gazette on Oct. 27.

Oct. 5

1. Noted: a. the request from Recovery and Development Agency Chairman Ronnie Skelton to extend the lifespan of the agency to Dec. 31, 2026 to allow for completion of projects already in progress or that are scheduled to commence in 2022;

b. the letter from the premier to the RDA chairman giving formal intent for an extension of two years and eight months to Dec. 31, 2025; and decided:

i. that the Premier’s Office instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to prepare the amendment to the RDA Act to extend the period of dissolution of the RDA mentioned in clause 22 of the act for an additional two years and eight months;

ii. that the amendment to the act be laid on the table of the House of Assembly at its next convenient sitting;

iii. that the financial secretary take the necessary actions to extend the RDA’s Instrument of Trust period to coincide with the extension of the agency’s lifespan;

iv. that the RDA should not take on any new project where the completion date would exceed the extended life of the agency;

v. that the RDA must develop and execute a plan to transfer its knowledge and skills to the Department of Public Works, and any other relevant agency in collaboration with the Premier’s Office;

vi. decided that the RDA report on a semi-annual basis to the Cabinet on progress made in accordance to item (v); and

vii. decided that the agency must develop and present to Cabinet a winding-up plan in conjunction with the Premier’s Office by Nov. 30, 2024.

2. Considered and approved the BVI Business Companies (Amendment of Schedule 1) (No.2) Order, 2022; and decided that it be published in the Gazette and be laid in the HOA on a negative resolution pursuant to section 249 (2) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004.

3. Approved an application for permission to use the seabed for the installation of a temporary barge in Virgin Gorda by Eustatia Corporation Limited.

Oct. 12

1. Agreed to rescind the decision of Cabinet to appoint members to the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Board as per Cabinet Memo No. 76/2022; and decided that the Premier’s Office instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to draft the appropriate legal instruments in accordance with Cabinet’s decision.

2. Approved one non-belonger land holding licence application.