The Third Sitting of the First Meeting of the 2025–2026 Session of Parliament took place on Friday, 27 June 2025.

During the sitting, Acting Deputy Governor, Gloria McField-Nixon, provided an update on the Cayman Islands Government internship programme. She stated that, with the support of the Government, the Civil Service is positioned to hire 140 interns this year.

Speaking about the 2025 cohort, the Acting Deputy Governor described the interns as “outstanding” and “keen to put their skills into action to secure rewarding careers and contribute to their country.” She also acknowledged their contributions, noting that some interns were in attendance.

Six papers and reports were tabled during the sitting. 

1. Report of the Standing Business Committee – Third Meeting of the 2024–2025 Session of the Cayman Islands Parliament
2. Office of the Auditor General – Annual Report (31 December 2024): Providing Value to the People of the Cayman Islands
3. Public Service Pensions Board (PSPB) – 2024 Annual Report and Accounts
4. Annual Report 2024 – Portfolio of Legal Affairs
5. Cayman Islands Judiciary – Annual Report and Accounts 2024
6. Ministry of Border Control, Labour and Culture – 2024 Annual Report

While presenting the PSPB’s report, Acting Deputy Governor McField-Nixon noted a positive return of 16.4 per cent for the year, placing the Board in the top 1 percentile of its peer group. She also advised that, in 2025, the PSPB would further enhance its services to plan members, pensioners and participating employers. “This will start with the relocation to new office space, where they will build on a centre of excellence approach in providing first-rate, in-person member service experiences,” she explained.

Seven parliamentary questions were posed to Ministers responsible for Planning, Land, Housing and Infrastructure; Tourism and Trade; Financial Services and Commerce; and Caymanian Employment and Immigration.

In response to whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the Windsor Park Community Park in George Town, Minister for Planning, Land, Housing and Infrastructure, Honourable Jay Ebanks confirmed there were no current plans.

The Acting Deputy Governor, replying to a question about community policing, stated, “I can confirm that the Commissioner of Police, in alignment with national priorities, fully intends to strengthen and enhance the operational capacity of the Community Policing Unit.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade, Honourable Gary Rutty, advised that there had been no further decline in cruise passenger number projections for 2026 and 2027 since the 2025 General Election.

Closing the questions segment, Minister for Caymanian Employment and Immigration, Honourable Michael Myles, confirmed the new minimum wage of CI$8.75 per hour would take effect on 1 January 2026.

Eight ministerial statements were delivered by the Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Honourable André Ebanks; Deputy Premier, Honourable Gary Rutty; Minister Jay Ebanks; Minister for Social Development and Innovation, Honourable Isaac Rankine; and Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Honourable Nickolas DaCosta.

Four bills were presented, each given a second and third reading. The Churches Incorporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Virtual Asset (Service Providers) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, were passed with the support of the Opposition.

There was debate on the Public Management and Finance (Amendment) Bill, 2025, that would extend the timeframe for presenting the Strategic Policy Statement after a general election from three to six months. The Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Rolston Anglin, described the change as necessary, stating, “The system is broken, and full transparency means acknowledging this.” The Minister reaffirmed the government’s intention to view the critical issues of the country holistically and not recycling the broad outcomes of a former administration.

In presenting the Public Service Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a nine-year limit on non-Caymanian employment in the Civil Service and a two-year restriction on re-employment, the Acting Deputy Governor emphasised the human impact but affirmed the Government’s determination saying, “The Civil Service understands that this is a priority for our government, and a matter that our people are crying out to be addressed. We will not shy away from this challenge. We will do our part, and we will lead from the front.”

All bills were considered by the Committee of the Whole House and passed without amendments. Each was subsequently given a third reading and passed.

Premier Ebanks thanked the Speaker and Members of Parliament for a productive start to the 2025–2026 Session, after which the House adjourned.

To watch Friday’s proceedings, visit:

Third Sitting of the First Meeting of the 2025-26 Session of Parliament | 27 June: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmwW-dPV2tA

For further information visit: www.gov.ky/governmentinparliament.  

How to follow: Watch live broadcasts of sittings on CIG YouTube and CIGTV (Logic – Channel 23, C3 – Channel 3, Flow – Channel 106).