JMC delegates from the Overseas Territories with officials.
ANGUILLA--Chief Minister Victor Banks accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Cora Richardson-Hodge, Permanent Secretary Aidan Harrigan and Government Sherpa Fritz Smith are in London to attend the Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC). Blondell Cluff, European Union and UK Representative and Special Advisor to the Chief Minister and her staff, joined the team at the JMC.
On Monday, Chief Minister Banks and his team attended and participated in the Annual UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Political Council Meeting. This meeting was chaired by Bermuda’s Premier E. David Burt.
The Annual JMC takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 28 and 29, respectively. On Tuesday morning, Chief Minister Banks and the other Heads of Government will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street. The hour-long meeting will address the hurricane response and recovery, Brexit and Financial Services Transparency. The agenda for the remainder of the day includes meetings with Minister for the Overseas Territories, Lord Ahmad, Minister of State Lord Bates and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday the agenda includes tax transparency and beneficial ownership discussions, health issues, child safeguarding, climate change and trade.
Chief Minister Victor Banks and Minister of Home Affairs Cora Richardson-Hodge in London.
The meeting brings together political leaders from the Overseas Territories and UK Ministers. It is the principal forum for reviewing and implementing the shared strategy for promoting the security and good governance of the Territories and their sustainable economic and social development. The JMC meets once a year to provide a forum for the exchange of views on political and constitutional issues between the Governments of the Overseas Territories and the UK Government.
At the weekend Chief Minister Banks attended and participated in a fundraiser hosted by the Anguilla Community Group in Slough. The function was to raise funds to assist in Anguilla’s Hurricane Irma relief efforts. The function, a “stand up” comedy night was also supported by nationals of other Caribbean territories. The actors who were from Jamaica and Dominica all performed at no cost. The Chief Minister addressed the function at which time he thanked everyone for their efforts in the fundraising activity and expressed gratitude on behalf of all Anguillians.
On Sunday afternoon, the Anguilla delegation hosted a town hall meeting in Slough where members were updated on the Hurricane Irma rehabilitation efforts in Anguilla. Both Banks and Minister Cora thanked the Anguilla community and all Anguillians for their efforts in assisting with the relief efforts.
Bilateral meetings with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development Ministers and other officials are planned for Thursday.
