Local News From Every Source
While the Government appreciates that the Fisherman’s Association Bermuda (FAB) disagree with the commitment to fully protect twenty per cent of the island’s exclusive economic zone, developing a balanced and integrated marine spatial plan to safeguard our marine resources for current and future generations is critical to our future. The marine spatial plan will organise the use of Bermuda’s waters, balancing the demands for development with the need to protect the environment in full consultation with all stakeholders.
Taxpayers are reminded that the deadline for tax filing and payment is Monday, October 16th, 2023.
Those taxpayers currently registered to e-file must file and pay using www.etax.gov.bm.
In July, the Government announced that it would revisit the parish primary school decision process. A key component is integrating an additional study factor, ‘History and Legacy’.
A very special good afternoon to all.
Today, I am honored to be joined by Kimale Evans, President of the Bermuda Netball Association, and Tahkeisha Welch, Secretary of the BNA. It is my distinct pleasure to officially announce the reopening of the Bernard Park Netball Courts after a closure of just over 9 months. This decision was made for health and safety due to the extensive cracks developed in the courts.
Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Walter Roban, explained, “Yesterday, I suggested to the RA a possible option for their consideration which would bring some relief for a period of time following the increase of the FAR. I have since been informed that the RA has rejected any change to the provisional action, nor will it consider any other options, and it will stand by its original provisional decision on the FAR, as outlined on September 27th.”
Today, the Government provided an update on the restoration of services.
Good morning and thank you for joining us.
I am pleased to be joined by the Honourable Tinee Furbert, JP, MP – Minister of Social Development & Seniors, the Chairman of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, MP Chris Famous, members of the Board and staff of the Corporation.
Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, is pleased to announce positive findings from a recent assessment of Bermuda conducted by ratings agency Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA).
Good afternoon members of the public and the media,
I am very happy that you are here today to witness this press conference.
I am here today to speak about the recently announced Fuel Adjustment Rate or FAR increase.
Hearing about the increase earlier this week, on October 4th, I was given an official appraisal of the FAR increase and the decrease in the Feed-In Tariff, or FIT. Later that day, I responded to the press expressing my concern and now take this opportunity to share what the Ministry of Home Affairs is actively pursuing.
The Department of Education is urging parents across the Island to ensure that their school age children do not engage in anti-social behaviour after school.
This, after a store owner wrote to a few schools expressing concern over students’ behaviour.
One of the school leaders responding to the store owner was Dellwood Middle School Principal, Trina Cariah.
The collaboration led to a temporary ban of Dellwood Middle School students from the store.
“The alarming rise in vaping among young people and the associated risks is a concerning public health issue,” warned Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “We have noticed how accessible e-cigarettes and similar devices are in our community and are warning parents and guardians that vaping is unsafe and has a detrimental impact on young people’s health and well-being.”
“Today, I join Ministerial colleagues and Governments here and around the world to acknowledge World Teachers’ Day,” said the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo V. Rabain, MP, JP.
“We cannot and will not underestimate the instrumental role teachers play in transforming learning and schooling for Bermuda’s children and young people and our country. I encourage all young people, parents and guardians and members of the Bermudian community to acknowledge and thank a teacher today.”
The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) executive met today to further assess Tropical Storm Philippe’s impact.
As of the Bermuda Weather Service advisory at 12 p.m. today, a Tropical Storm Warning remained in effect. Philippe was located around 410 nautical miles to the south of the Island, moving north at 10 knots (11 miles per hour).
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 knots (51 miles per hour) with gusts to 55 knots (63 miles per hour).
The Department of Immigration (DOI) is pleased to provide updates on work permit applications.
DOI can advise that all submissions, including those made before September 20th, are still being processed, and while documents cannot be printed, employers will be informed of any decision.
Meanwhile, all work permit applications must continue to be submitted via DOI’s Dropbox on the first floor of the Government Administration Building, Parliament Street, Hamilton.
“This Government remains committed to providing support that enables members of our community to meet their basic needs,” said Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward. “On occasion, this requires the benefits afforded to Financial Aid recipients be assessed and at times increased to better reflect the cost of living in Bermuda to support over 2,000 recipients on Financial Assistance which include seniors, disabled, low-earners and abled-bodied recipients.”
The public is advised that due to the forecast unsettled weather conditions in the coming days, a decision has been made to postpone this Saturday’s Gombey Festival Showcase.
The event will now take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
A Department of Culture spokesperson advised that this annual event requires significant resources and infrastructure, which cannot be set up during the anticipated wind and rain, which are expected later this week.
The Ministry of National Security and the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) are monitoring Tropical Storm Philippe, located northeast of the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands.
Philippe is considered a threat to the Island. The BWS anticipates that Philippe will gradually move toward the southeast of Bermuda by later this week.
The storm is expected to strengthen into a category 1 hurricane as it nears our general vicinity this week, and residents must remain vigilant as storms are unpredictable and can change course.
The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to clarify the government taxes related to the fuel adjustment rate (FAR).
The Ministry can advise that there has been no fuel tax increase by the Government for many years, and at present, only 4 cents of the FAR represents government taxes. Also, under law, the Government has no direct involvement in setting the rate of the FAR.
“Homelessness is a pressing issue that affects our community, and this survey aims to gather valuable insights and perspectives from the public to inform our strategies and actions. This survey marks a significant step in our shared commitment to addressing homelessness and making Bermuda a better place for all,” stated Minister of Social Development and Seniors Tineé Furbert, JP, MP.
The Parliamentary Registrar is reminding members of the community who reside in the Smith’s South Constituency that the Bye-Election is on October 5, 2023.
The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr. Robbie Smith and Sen. Wilfred Moore as the new international experts to the Sargasso Sea Commission.
The Sargasso Sea Commission, established by the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea, was signed in Bermuda on March 11, 2014. Its formal role is to act as the Steward of this iconic high seas ecosystem and to keep its health, productivity, and resilience under review, as well as to develop safeguard measures for its conservation.
Today, the Government provided a brief update on the restoration of services.
The public is advised that work continued this weekend with Premier David Burt, Government Ministers and senior technical officers receiving an update yesterday (Sept. 30) on the return of services impacted by the cyber incident.
Mr. Speaker, since my last statement to this Honourable House on this matter, I am pleased to report that our twenty-three (23) local recruit firefighters that travelled to Newcastle U.K. on the 05th August 2023 for six weeks to receive specialist training, successfully completed their foundational training course qualifying them as aircraft rescue firefighters.