CAYMAN FORWARD INITIATIVE TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD

In what’s seen as a decisive step towards balancing the oftentimes conflicting demands of investment and development with environmental considerations, the National Coalition For Caymanians administration has published a landmark policy paper aimed at resolving the thorny issue.

Following a 3-month comprehensive consultation, the Government has published the findings of the Cayman Forward Initiative(CFI), described as “a structured dialogue process led by policy experts to identify reforms across the legislation, regulation, policy and procedures governing planning and environmental management in the Cayman Islands.”

As explained by Hon. Premier Andre Ebanks during a media briefing: “For too long, there has been a tension between stakeholder groups representing the built environment and those representing the natural environment. And nothing seems to have worked so far. So we embarked on an innovative approach to have an independent expert facilitator, who has helped in other countries where there are diverse opinions and intentions to have a structured three-month dialogue that involves stakeholder surveys at a summit on 5 June, then either gather those findings and outline them in a set of recommendations and an action plan.”

ACTION PLAN

The implementation of that action plan will be phased across four timeframes: 0–30 days, 30–60 days, 60–180 days, and beyond 180 days.

The Government says this is to ensure changes are sequenced and achievable. Any legislative or regulatory amendments arising from the recommendations will go through the usual public consultation process.

The urgency of the matter was stressed by Premier Ebanks: “I want to say from the outset that I think it’s a fair comment that the system isn’t really working for anybody.”

For the phased implementation of the CFI, the immediate focus in the first month includes establishing START (the Strategic Taskforce for Action, Reform and Transformation) to deliver the recommendations in the report and develop the legislative changes needed to underpin a shared decision-making framework.

Strict timelines are also being placed on the NCC and CPA to respond to referrals and applications.

There is also a requirement for the National Conservation Council, the Central Planning Authority in Grand Cayman, and the Development Control Board in the Sister Islands to regularly and consistently publish minutes and rationale for decisions taken to increase transparency and accountability.

UNBLOCKING BOTTLENECKS

The Cayman Forward Initiative is being promoted as a key move to unblock the bottlenecks that have contributed to the failure to date to update the National Development Plan, which is over three decades old and which critics say hasn’t kept pace with the issues and challenges confronting a growing Cayman.

“I think we all have to look back and say the days of uncontrolled development are over. We can’t handle another 50 years like the last 50. Anyone who thinks that we can must be on a different planet,” observed Ian Pairaudeau, Chairman of the Cayman Islands Central Planning Authority (CPA). The country has had significant development, but we have to strike that balance between future development and the environment. Otherwise, in 50 years’ time, if we continue like we are now, we won’t be the same country that we live in,” he cautioned.

According to Premier Ebanks: “A thriving, well-built economy and a protected natural environment are not an either-or choice; we can design a future where our children have both. The current situation is costing us time, money, and trust, and is one of the many long-standing issues the NCFC government is determined to bring new and innovative ways to solve. The Cayman Forward Initiative is an important first step with a clear path forward towards better collaboration and improved outcomes for the people of the Cayman Islands.”

The Cayman Forward Initiative(CFI) also recognised the importance of accelerating the delivery of an updated National Development Plan to guide all future development and land use in the Cayman Islands. The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure is currently making final edits to the Planning Statement that has already undergone widespread public consultation and will be brought to Parliament later this year.

Over the years, government agencies, developers, boards, and environmental lobbyists have had several conflicts, including between the Central Planning Agency (CPA) and the National Conservation Council (NCC), which have ended up before the courts in many instances.

According to a CIG statement: “At its core, Cayman Forward rejects the idea that development and environmental stewardship are competing goals. For decades, tension between those focused on the built environment and those focused on the natural environment has produced delays, litigation, and division between the Central Planning Authority (CPA) and the National Conservation Council (NCC). The Cayman Forward Initiative takes a different approach, bringing groups together to find solutions and a shared decision-making framework.”

The CFI recommendations were produced by ForgeFront, UK-based consultants with wide experience in similar complex policy issues.

It’s been stressed that any legislative or regulatory amendments arising from the recommendations will go through the usual public consultation process.