Summary of Parliamentary Proceedings: 1 May 2026

1 May 2026 | Press Release | By: Public Relations Unit

The Third and final Sitting of the Fifth Meeting of the 2025-2026 Session of Parliament took place on Friday, 1 May 2026. The Speaker began by welcoming a large delegation of public and private sector representatives to Parliament, recognising them for their contributions to the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) Summer Internship Programme. The Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson noted that 503 applications were received for the 2026 internship programme, reflecting the strong desire among young people to work, learn, and contribute.

 

Deputy Governor Manderson also congratulated the 2025 CIG Employee of the Year, Jovanna Wright, Principal of Sir John A. Cumber Primary School. Ms Wright was specifically applauded by members of the House for championing students with autism and other learning difficulties.   

 

Thirteen Annual Reports and Papers were tabled during the Sitting, and Members of the Opposition asked ten questions to members of the Government. When responding to a question about inflation and cost-of-living projections, Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Rolston Anglin, confirmed that updated projections have been received from the Economics and Statistics Office (ESO), with the most recent forecast prepared on 22 April 2026. Inflation is now projected to rise to 5.3% in 2026 before easing to 4.1% in 2027. Minister Anglin stated that international crude oil prices have risen approximately 40% and are expected to remain at the current level. The ESO projects that local food prices will remain inflated even if oil prices stabilise, given the delay in downstream market effects. Minister Anglin assured the House that the Government is actively exploring measures to ease cost-of-living pressures and cautioned against addressing these pressures on Civil Servants solely through wage increases, citing the significant cost to the Government.

 

The Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, Hon. André Ebanks, announced that Cabinet has approved drafting instructions to amend the Local Companies (Control) Act (2025 Revision) to allow Cabinet to impose a moratorium on certain trade and business categories.

 

The Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Hon. Nickolas DaCosta, noted an exceptional circumstance allocation had been approved by Cabinet for the expansion of the National CCTV Programme to install thirty new cameras in Bodden Town and North Side.

 

Lastly, the Minister for Caymanian Employment and Immigration, Hon. Michael Myles, delivered a statement on the implementation of the immigration reform measures, which came into effect on 1 May 2026. Minister Myles said, “This reform brings certainty. Work permit fees have not increased, administrative fees have been modernised responsibly after 15 years of remaining status quo, revenue is being reinvested into efficiency, and workforce systems are being strengthened. A broken system creates uncertainty. But a fair system builds confidence, attracts investment and supports growth.”

 

The Public Transport (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2026, was presented to the House for debate. Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, Hon. Jay Ebanks stated the purpose of the Bill is to provide clarity and legal certainty for the men and women who operate public buses in the Cayman Islands. The Bill was subsequently passed.

 

Two Government Motions were passed. Minister Ebanks brought a motion to amend regulations within the Development and Planning Act (2021 Revision) to remove the discretion to grant variances from the prescribed coastal setback requirements based on the high-water mark. Minister Ebanks noted that the regulations bring greater consistency, set clear standards and remove existing ambiguity without weakening coastal protections. The Minister emphasised that the coastline is one of the islands' most important national assets and referenced the environmental impacts of developments currently built too close to the water. The regulations also introduce a minimum road width of 30 feet for new subdivisions. The motion was approved.

 

The final Government motion sought to grant the Right to be Caymanian to a 30-year-old woman who was born in the Cayman Islands and has lived here her entire life. The motion was approved.

 

Moving the adjournment, Premier Ebanks said, “I thank all members for all the work that has gone into this Meeting and, more broadly, I thank all members for the work that has gone into the 2025-2026 Session, which concludes today.”

 

The House was adjourned sine die (without a fixed return date).

 

Watch Friday’s proceedings:

 

Watch live broadcasts of sittings on CIG YouTube and CIGTV (Logic - Channel 23, C3 - Channel 3, Flow - Channel 106).

 

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

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