(HM Governor’s Office in Anguilla) – The Government of Anguilla (GoA) agreed in March that a Financial Adviser would be appointed to the Ministry of Finance to advise the Government on the development and implementation of its fiscal and economic reform programme. Following the finalisation of the Terms of Reference, a panel comprising representatives from both the GoA and the UK Government conducted interviews for the position.
Mr Brian Deadman has now been appointed to the role of Financial Adviser, on a two year contract. Mr Deadman has over twenty five years experience in the public, non-profit and private sectors. In his last post, he was the Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care on the Isle of Man, overseeing a budget of £230m/EC$800m and 2,600 staff. Previously, Mr Deadman was for six years the Chief Finance Officer of Oxfam International, and earlier Deputy County Treasurer of Northamptonshire County Council in England. He has also worked in both Tanzania and Australia.
My Deadman’s main role will be to advise the Government of Anguilla on the development and implementation of their fiscal and economic reform programme. In March 2016, Executive Council, with advice from the International Monetary Fund, agreed a Medium Term Reform Programme covering the period 2016-2018. Mr Deadman will assist the Ministry in the delivery of this Reform Programme, and also the strengthening of public financial management. He will also help to ensure that UK support to the Government of Anguilla is effectively coordinated. Mr Deadman’s contract will be funded by the UK Government.
Mr Deadman will arrive in Anguilla on 15 September and start work on Monday 19 September.
The Government of Anguilla’s Medium Term Reform Programme, 2016-2018, and the Terms of reference for Mr Deadman’s appointment are below.
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ENDS
GOVERNMENT OF ANGUILLA MEDIUM TERM REFORM PROGRAMME, 2016 – 2018 [AS AGREED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON 8 MARCH 2016]
Financial Sector Stability
* Legislative Reform – New ECCU Banking Act; ECCU AMC Act (Both Acts passed by House of Assembly in November 2015 and awaiting assent by UKG).
* Resolution of Intervened Banks (by end of March 2016) – Creation of Bridge Bank owned by GoA; Divestment of Bridge Bank within 3 Years consistent with ECCU Banking Act.
Public Finance and Public Financial Management
* Programme for introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) at minimum rate of 10% by July 1, 2017.
* Property Tax Reform: completion of regulations by 30 April 2016.
* Introduction of National Health Insurance Fund payroll levy to meet health care costs by January 1, 2018.
* Customs Reform – Review of Customs Duty Rates, Duty Free Concessions, Trade Facilitation by July 1, 2017.
* Reduction of Revenue Arrears – strengthening of Arrears and Compliance Unit within the Inland Revenue to ensure that it is fully staffed by 31 December 2017.
* Publication of policy on the utilisation of windfall revenue (e.g. from Offshore Fisheries Licenses, Economic Residency Permits, etc) and how such revenue can be used to populate Funds such as Fiscal Reserves Fund, Sinking Fund to amortize bank resolution debt and Capital Development Fund.
* Publication of clear policy for development concessions setting out criteria for categorising projects and the maximum potential exemptions for each category of project by July 1, 2017.
* Review of Travel and Subsistence policy for officials and ministers and consideration of recommendations on reforms by end July 2016.
* Management of public sector wage bill to meet target to be under 45% of government spending.
Strengthening Strategic Delivery
* Strengthening of Economic Planning Unit and Government development planning coordination.
* Strengthening accountability of senior officials for ensuring public money is spent effectively and efficiently.
* Strengthen policy making capacity of Senior Civil Servants.
* Review key recommendations of the 2011 Anguilla Cross Civil Service Review on improving the efficiency of the public service.
* Improve evidence base for economic planning – production of trade statistics.
Monitoring and Oversight of Statutory Bodies
* Consider CARTAC recommendations for Monitoring and Oversight of Statutory Bodies with a view start of implementation in some cases with effect of the 2016 Budget.
* Consolidation of Public Financial Management Legislation
* Procurement Act updated and regulations approved to streamline procurement process by September 2016
Promoting inward investment, Small Business Development and Business Competitiveness
* Review of the Trade and Investment Unit and Commerce Unit functions with a view to the possible amalgamation into a combined Trade, Investment and Commerce Unit into a one-stop shop for FDI and business development by December 2017.
* Clarifying and publish policy on issuing of processes including alien land-holding licenses and work visas and streamlining decision making process to provide potential investor with greater certainty by December 2016.
* Investment Promotion – Economic Residency Programme [proposals to Ex Co by December 2016]
* Ease of doing Business – Conduct Ease of Business Survey; Simplify Investment Approval Process; Simplify Business Approval Process
* Funding SME Development – facilitate access of Anguilla Development Board to concessionary finance provided by CDB and EIB
* Business Process Innovation and Development – implementation of an electronic system for payment of Government Taxes and Fees (credit/ debit card, payment apps, etc)
* Introduction of a single Companies Act.
* Introduction of new Insolvency Legislation.
Economic Growth
* Continued implementation of Sustainable Tourism Master Plan – attracting yacht marina, medical tourism and sports tourism projects to Anguilla.
* Improved Air Access to Anguilla – Airport Runway Extension and Terminal Development.
* Improvements to Blowing Point Ferry Terminal including extending opening hours and streamlining entry process.
* Securing Goods Access to Anguilla – Renovation of Cargo Pier at Road Bay Port.
Diversification
* Fisheries Development – Introduction of Offshore Fisheries Licensing Regime.
* Financial Services Development – Development of Anguilla as a Global Centre for Innovative Finance.
* Aircraft and Ship Registry.
* Energy Independence – Reform of Policy and Legislative Framework to facilitate renewable energy initiatives with the view of reducing the cost of electricity.
* Greening of Anguilla Economy.
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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR FINANCIAL ADVISER [AGREED BY EXCO ON 8 MARCH 2016]
Proposed UK Technical Assistance: Financial Adviser to Government of Anguilla
Role: To advise the Government of Anguilla on the development and implementation of their fiscal and economic reform programme
Tenure: Two year contract
Strategic/Expected Outcome(s): Support Fiscal and Economic Planning, and Policy and Management capability of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Government of Anguilla.
SCOPE OF WORK:
1.Fiscal Monitoring during 2016 – 2018 Medium Term Fiscal & Economic Plan
Monthly review of GoA’s Fiscal Performance focusing on:
Summary of performance against approved Budget.
Performance against approved Budget of top 5 Revenue and top 5 Expenditure lines with historic and forward analysis.
Response options
Recommended actions based on the aggregate fiscal situation.
Adviser to be a member of the Budget Delivery Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor and reports to Executive Council on a quarterly basis,
2.Economic Activity Monitoring during 2016 – 2018 Medium Term Fiscal & Economic Plan
Quarterly Review of Economic Activity in Anguilla focusing on:
Tourist arrivals and their impact.
Trade data and its impact.
Employment data and its impact.
Monetary and Financial data and its impact.
Develop capacity at the Economic Planning Unit to produce the Quarterly Review of Economic Activity and Medium Term macroeconomic projections.
3.Policy Advice on Fiscal and Economic Initiatives during 2016 – 2018 Medium Term Fiscal & Economic Plan
Provide advice on the design and implementation of fiscal and economic policy initiatives, particularly tax reform and economic competitiveness reform.
Provide advice on fiscal and economic impact of policy initiatives.
4.Capacity Building in formulation and conduct of macro-economic and fiscal policies.
Advising and supporting the Government of Anguilla to strengthen fiscal management policy and practice and implementation of the principles and commitments set out in the Anguillian Fiscal Framework.
Advising and supporting the Government of Anguilla to strengthen medium term planning, public sector performance monitoring, risk and liability management, project planning and execution, and audit and transparency.
5.Management of UK assistance fund to Anguilla.
identification and procurement of short term specialist technical advice in consultation with the Government of Anguilla
management of investment funds in line with agreed priorities, legislative requirements and international good practice
6.Key activities:
He or she will be expected to work closely with the Ministry of Finance, and other Government Ministries, industry bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce and international partners . These will include but not be limited to the Tourism Department, Statistics Department , Inland Revenue Department, Customs Department, UK, IMF, ECCB, CARTAC, EU, World Bank and CDB.
Monthly and Quarterly monitoring reports submitted to Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Executive Council.
Advice to the Minister of Finance and Governor as required on initiatives for consideration by Executive Council with potential financial or economic implications. Advice on potential financial or economic implications of proposals to Executive Council as part of formal advice provided by Ministry of Finance.
Management of UK assistance programme to Anguilla and quarterly reports on progress of assignment to Governor.
Advice as requested by the Governor, Deputy Governor or a Permanent Secretary.
7.Qualifications and Working Experience
i. A degree or equivalent professional qualification in economics or public finance;
ii. 10 years experience working at a senior level for government or international financial institution, e.g. working in a Ministry of Finance or Planning or other institution responsible for financial planning and macroeconomic management
iii. Appropriate knowledge of the E. Caribbean States economy and regional growth challenges;
iv. Strong leadership skills
v. Ability to establish strong productive relationships with wide range of stakeholders and to manage diverse teams;
vi. Strong presentation and public speaking skills;
viii. Experience in human capacity development by way of mentoring/training and, providing direction and guidance to inexperienced staff.
8.Appointment and working arrangements
The Governor, acting after consultation with the Chief Minister, shall appoint the Financial Advisor.
The job holder will be provided with working space in the Ministry of Finance and office-support equivalent to that of public servants (e.g. IT support). They will be afforded access to public service information and will be required to treat that information in line with General Orders.
The position will be funded by the UK.