Bermuda Real Year in Review: January 2019

In just a few days we will ring in the New Year bringing 2019 to an end as we head into 2020. Here’s a look back at some of the news making headlines on Bermuda Real during the first month of the year – January 2019.

The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) announced this afternoon that the new public bus schedule due to go into effect on Monday, January 7, has been pushed back by two weeks to start later this month on January 21.

A spokesperson said the new date “will ensure that all relevant stakeholders and the general public are well informed of the scheduling change”.

DPT Director Roger Todd said: “,The production and dissemination of information for the public is key to this process and involves multiple entities and vendors.

“With due consideration for the public and the time required to properly communicate the new schedule, we are taking time to ensure this is done effectively.”

The schedule will be posted on the Government’s website on Monday, hard copies will be available at the Central Terminal and “other key locations” as of January 14.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Real understands bus operators have a number of issues and questions regarding the new rosters. A committee meeting was due to be held this evening to discuss their concerns.

Public Works Minister Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch held a news conference today to say the outlay of Government office space will change on his watch and that “only Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Directors” will have a private office moving forward.

Highlighting the Government’s efforts to reduce costs by making the organization’s office space more efficient, Minister Burch showcased the Ministry’s Estate Department’s offices as an example of what offices throughout the Government could look like.

“The Cabinet approved the introduction of revised space standards for Government offices in order to make more efficient use of space and reduce costs,” said Colonel Burch.

“Cabinet also considered a number of issues in respect of asset management, one of which was the need to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted in the layout, design, finishes and furnishing of Government office accommodations.

“The goal is to provide effective Government Services in a sustainable, safe and healthy work environment that makes efficient use of space and affords greater value for money. With private sector rents of approximately $8.9 million annually – savings can be had by more efficient use of space both within Government owned buildings and those rented from the private sector. Savings are not limited to rents alone as other operating costs including electricity, maintenance and service charges will also decrease as the space occupied is reduced.”

The Minister was joined by Sudell Joseph, Acting Chief Surveyor and Sheridan Ming, Acting Buildings Manager – key personnel in this effort.

“With private sector rents of approximately $8.9 million annually – savings can be had by more efficient use of space both within Government owned buildings and those rented from the private sector.

“Savings are not limited to rents alone as other operating costs including electricity, maintenance and service charges will also decrease as the space occupied is reduced.

“The existing office space standards provide for 250 – 300 square feet for a Minister, 200 – 250 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 150 square feet for a Director and 100 square feet for staff. In addition to this, a further 15% is provided for circulation space.

“Conversely, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009 require a minimum of 43 sq ft per employee.

“The revised space standards provide for 200 square feet for a Minister, 150 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 100 square feet for a Director and 65 square feet for an Officer with no additional allowance for circulation space.

“The reductions range from 35 percent for general staff to 66% for Department Heads.”

News Release, Wednesday, January 31, 2019 – The Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, wishes to restate her remarks regarding the former Health Council CEO, that as an employment matter, it is not open for discussion through the media. This is a matter for the Health Council to deal with directly with the affected party. The Minister asks that the privacy of individuals be respected.

As stated previously, the Minister of Health received notice of the proposed separation on December 6, 2018, and approved the recommendation in accordance with section 9(1) of the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 on 7th December 2018.

The Minister considered the recommendation and came to a decision independently and without pressure or consideration of unrelated issues.

As stated by the Health Council’s attorneys, the former CEO’s employment was terminated lawfully by the Council in full compliance with section 18(1)(b) of the Employment Act 2000, the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004, and her contract of employment.

No further investigation is required as the Minister was apprised of the matter in accordance with the governing legislation and due process was followed.

As stated previously, the Ministry of Health is grateful to Mrs Wedderburn for the time she served at the Bermuda Health Council and wishes her all the best.

There’s very little, if anything, you could do for a married couple who have been married longer than most people still alive. But when their family members decided they would get the surprise of their lives on their 65th wedding anniversary – well – need I say more!

Family members would know, media members included by DNA or not – that we were told months ago what was going down and that all of us, including family members like me, were forbidden to say a single word about anything – and that was months ago.

Begrudgingly, we grumbled and said okay and agreed to wait for clearance from headquarters, which was cool because I knew my ‘Kissing Cousin” would ultimately tell me how he feels about it, and he just did.

As soon as he saw me, he said: “I don’t know who I have to put a grip on more – my daughter Nea – or you!”

Then he continued: “I know you both had something to do with all this but like I said, the next time the Queen comes to Bermuda I want her to give me that trophy for my wife!”

I asked him how did it feel for you and your bride to receive greetings on the celebration of their 65th wedding anniversary from the Queen of England, and he just broke out into this big grin.

“I’m still waiting for the Queen to come back so she could give the award to my wife,” he said.

From the family’s point of view, it has been 65 years of togetherness.

“January 28th marked Marjorie and Quinton Talbot’s 65th Wedding Anniversary celebration, a landmark achievement in these current times,” said one family member.

To commemorate the milestone the couple “received acknowledgement of their occasion from HM The Queen in a special Anniversary Card addressed to the Talbots”.

“In the special card, HM The Queen extended her “best wishes”, and “hoped their day will be filled with happy memories,” she added.

“They were thrilled with the acknowledgement and wish to thank Government House and the Cabinet Office for helping facilitate the special recognition.

“Marjorie Saltus and Quinton Talbot were married on January 28, 1854, at 4pm at the Allen Temple AME Church in Somerset.

The Talbots thanked Government House and the Cabinet Office for their help in organising the card from the Queen.

Former Progressive Labour Party MP Renee Webb will head the new Bermuda Government office formally opened in Brussels, Belgium on Friday.

Making the announcement at the official opening, Premier David Burt said Ms Webb “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in European affairs” to the table and that he was “confident she will accomplish the goal of deepening ties”.

“Additionally, through our internship programme, a Bermudian young person will have an opportunity to shadow Ms Webb here in Brussels, thus gaining invaluable experience on the world stage,” he added.

The new office was set up to facilitate ongoing engagement in the EU, which was needed over and above “shuttle diplomacy”.

Ms Webb holds a master’s degree in international relations and graduated from Queen’s University with a BA in political studies.

She also studied international human rights law at the Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, and was picked for an internship at the Unesco human rights department in Paris.

The Premier said Ms Webb has been hired for one year and that her duties include managing the Belgian office, advising the Bermuda Government on all relevant European matters and liaising with the island’s London office.

He also stated that the Government’s presence would deepen Bermuda’s relationships with EU institutions, members states and businesses.

“Bermuda has a long history of constructive engagement with the European Union, which is crystallised by the fact that we are one of but a handful of jurisdictions that have EU Solvency II equivalence,” said Mr Burt.

“The past year has witnessed constructive engagement on the issue of economic substance, which culminated in Bermuda passing into law the Economic Substance Act 2018. This important piece of legislation addressed economic substance concerns raised by the European Union’s Code of Conduct Group.

“We are confident that this legislation meets the criteria necessary to keep Bermuda off any list of noncooperative tax jurisdictions and reaffirms the positive relationship between Bermuda and the EU,” he added.

“As we continue our efforts to protect and strengthen Bermuda’s economy and drive economic growth, I am sure our presence here will do just that.

“We are looking forward to the added value our Brussels office will provide.”

The following statement was issued by OBA MP Michael Dunkley following the announcement of the opening of the new Bermuda Government Office in Brussels, Belgium

Government has seen fit to cut the ribbon and open the office without appropriate details that are important for the public to know,” said Michael Dunkley following the opening of the overseas office in Brussels.

This after the announcement on Friday, by Premier David Burt on Bermuda’s new Overseas Office in Brussels, to be headed up by Former Progressive Labour Party MP Renee Webb.

The former Premier said: “Once again transparency and accountability seem to have gone out the window with the PLP Government.

“This hiring has been rumored for some time and the PLP Government has seen fit to cut the ribbon and open the office without appropriate details that are important for the public to know.

“Any Government should be able to easily justify the need to hire staff and you would expect the net to be cast widely to see who is available, what experience and skill set the person has, and how the applicant can fit into what is required.”

“Many questions need to be answered; what has Government done to fill this position? Have they advertised it? How many applicants were there? What is the job description? What is the length of contract, annual compensation and benefits? What is the annual budget for the office? Will other staff be hired?

“Until these and other questions are answered it seems this could be a friends and family plan part II as it is well known that Dr Webb is a former PLP MP and Minister.”

“”I would hope that the Government has advertised this and taken all applicants into account and not just given it to Dr Webb.”

“We don’t have money to burn, we have significant debt, and the taxpayers demand accountability,” Mr Dunkley added.

“We asked the Government for additional information, and a spokesperson said, “The Hon MD Renee Webb, JP, has been engaged for one year to act as the Government of Bermuda’s representative in Brussels.

“With the increasing threats which Bermuda faces as a result of efforts by the European Union [EU)] to address calls for greater tax transparency, the requirement to ensure that Bermuda’s interests were safeguarded now transcend the use of retained counsel and other consultants only in the Brussels area.

“It was important to now forge relationships and foster a higher level of engagement with the EU, its official organs and its Member States. The funds expended on hourly rate retained counsel would be better spent on a permanent, dedicated resource, in situ on behalf of Bermuda.”