Premier Ellis Webster speaking at the meeting.
Government of Anguilla at the town hall meeting.
ANGUILLA--While welcoming the live audience and persons viewing online to the town hall meeting, Premier Ellis Lorenzo Webster spoke openly about the island’s financial situation. He said the economy was not good even before March 2020 when the borders were closed. He noted that 373 persons have been repatriated and 65 have returned to Anguilla after medical treatment overseas.
He stressed that the island has to now open to tourism that has been stagnant for the past six months. There will be a phased opening that has already started with an opening for people who want to stay in their own villas for an extended time.
The premier thanked the utility companies for not cutting off people who had not paid their bills. He also thanked the front-line workers in health as well as the fisherfolk, farmers, grocery clerks and others who have kept the island’s economy moving. The UK government and the British citizens were also thanked for the 60 million pounds sterling being used for construction of schools and health facilities. He also thanked the public for helping to protect the island’s borders. “We are resilient, proud, strong and free,” he said, noting that the government would have to make tough decisions to get on the right track.
Accountant General Vonlee Harris gave a detailed account of the financial position of the island. He said that from January to August this year the recurrent revenue had been estimated at EC $179 million but only EC $162 million was actually obtained. Marisa Harding-Hodge from the Ministry of Finance gave a detailed review of the statutory bodies noting their contractual obligations, loans, staff liabilities, revenue arrears and litigation.
The premier spoke of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the British government in connection with the EC $100 million grant for salaries for the unemployed. He said the island could not expect the British to always bail us out but he foresaw needing more assistance next year. He said the government would have to produce a medium-term fiscal plan to show that they could run the government effectively. He said the health crisis was now an economic crisis and foreign direct investment was needed, while the island had to open its tourism.
Minister of Social Development Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers said some adjustments had had to be made to the schools that are being rebuilt as funding would not cover all that was planned. As far as the Anguilla Community College is concerned, she noted that alternative models are being reviewed. There is increased spending for the safety of children and staff at all schools with additional cleaning and other important protocols being included.
The audience was able to ask questions of any member of the government and this extended the town hall meeting to nearly four hours.
