Cabinet Office

What We Do

The Cabinet Office - Bringing Government Services Together

Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samuel Rose leads the response by his office to decisions concerning governmental policy in the weekly Cabinet meetings, which he attends as a non-voting member. Since many of the policy areas discussed in these meetings have application across Government, the Cabinet Office includes a number of sections and departments whose work has cross-governmental scope.

Strategic Management

Administering the authority’s operations at the organisational level; developing business plans and corporate policy; setting long-term goals and objectives; evaluating the agency’s overall performance and progress towards established targets; managing programmes to improve business processes and ensure consistent service delivery; preparing or revising laws and other regulatory instruments that affect the authority’s functions and responsibilities; obtaining legal advice from external sources.

Key Staff
Samuel Rose, JP Cabinet Secretary Tel: (345) 244-2253 Email: samuel.rose@gov.ky	Kim Bullings Clerk of the Cabinet Tel: (345) 244-2209 Email: kim.bullings@gov.ky
Krista Seymour-Mohammed Chief Financial Officer Tel: (345) 244-2296 Email: krista.seymour-mohammed@gov.ky	Robert Lewis Deputy Chief Officer (Administration) Tel: (345) 244-3602 Email: robert.lewis@gov.ky
Meloney Syms Chief of Protocol Tel: (345) 244-3612 Email: meloney.syms@gov.ky	Dee Cotgrove Director of Communications Tel: (345) 244-2254 Email: dee.cotgrove@gov.ky
Oneisha Richards Acting Chief Internal Communication Officer Tel: (345) 244-3607 Email: Oneisha.Richards@gov.ky y	Deborah Webb-Sibblies Acting Director, Policy Coordination Unit Tel: (345) 244-2206 Email: deborah.webb-sibblies@gov.ky

FOI Management Staff
Kim Bullings Information Manager Tel: (345) 244-2209 Email: foi.cab@gov.ky	Davina Wilson Information Manager Designate Tel: (345) 244-2210 Email: foi.cab@gov.ky

The Information Manager is responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Law and responding to FOI requests. To learn more about FOI visit www.foi.gov.ky.

Cabinet Office Units

The Cabinet Secretariat provides administrative support to Cabinet and the National Security Council.

The Policy Coordination Unit advises on best practices of policy development, coordination and implementation across Government Ministries and Portfolios; monitors international policy developments and provides technical support and advice to Cabinet on these matters; and facilitates and coordinates the implementation of Freedom of Information by providing advice, assistance and training to public authorities and promoting awareness across the whole of the public sector.

Appeals Tribunal Secretariat provides administrative and secretarial support to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal and the Refugee Protection Appeals Tribunal.

The Freedom of Information Unit (FOI Unit) facilitates and coordinates the implementation of Freedom of Information by providing advice, assistance and training to public authorities and promoting awareness across the whole of the public sector.

The Protocol Unit advises government on the handling of local and foreign dignitaries.

The Cayman Islands London Office supports the extension of all Cayman Islands Government activities in the United Kingdom and Europe; act as a contact point for and provide consular services to Caymanians (especially Caymanian students) and other stakeholders in the United Kingdom and Europe; promote a better economic, social, cultural and political understanding of the Cayman Islands; gather and disseminate information; develop and maintain strategic links; facilitate inward investment opportunities by seeking out and providing accurate information to potential investors; represent the Cayman Islands in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA), the EU Overseas Countries and Territories Association (EU OCTA), and at other official or ceremonial events.

The Director of Communications supports the professional development of all public communicators and overall development of Government Communications capability. The Director has overall leadership responsibility for the Government Information Service and the Internal Communications & Engagement Unit. In addition, the Director will be setting up a Strategic Communications Unit during 2019 to support the creation and delivery of the Government’s Annual Communications Plan. This unit will work across ministries to define and deliver a proactive programme of cross-government communications campaigns and content that support key government policy and priorities. The unit will also ensure the continuous review and development of public channels to ensure they are effective.

The Internal Communication & Engagement Unit was established on 1 January 2018 to coordinate internal communication activity and provide strategic direction across the Civil Service.”

The Constitutional Review Secretariat (CRS) was launched 1 March 2007 to restart the constitutional modernisation process in the Cayman Islands with a view to achieving national consensus on areas of constitutional reform upon which the Cayman Islands Government could negotiate a new constitution for the Cayman Islands with the United Kingdom. Having completed their mandate, the CRS closed office in November 2009 and is no longer operational, but the Cabinet Office maintains control of their records and their website is still active. Closed in November 2009.

The Public Affairs Unit is no longer operational, but the Cabinet Office maintains control of their records. Closed office in June 2011.

The Temporary Housing Initiative unit oversees the provision of temporary housing for low-income persons who lost their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in late 2004. It also supports the personal and professional development of its adult clients and offers extracurricular programmes for their children. Closed on 30th June 2013

History

The Cayman Islands (Constitution) (Amendment) Order 2003 was presented for enactment by the House of Commons 24 June 2003, renaming the former Executive Council the Cabinet and creating the new government post of Cabinet Secretary and associated responsibilities. The Order also formally established the offices of the Leader of Government Business (now the Premier) and Leader of the Opposition and the Electoral Boundary Commission

Organisation and Functions

The Cabinet Office coordinates the weekly meetings of Government ministers, National Security Council meetings, as well as special local, regional and international projects arising from these meetings. It includes the Secretariat, which primarily provides administrative and technical support to the Premier and to Cabinet and National Security Council meetings and projects; the Policy Coordination Unit; the Appeals Tribunal Secretariat; the Protocol Office; Freedom of Information Unit; the Public Affairs Unit, which closed in June 2011; Temporary Housing Initiative, which closed on 30th June 2013; and Constitutional Review Secretariat, which closed in November 2009 following the passage of the 2009 Constitution.

Three public authorities which maintain separate Publication Schemes: Cayman Islands Government Office UK, Radio Cayman and Government Information Services.

Functions of the Cabinet Office include:

• Secretarial and administrative support for the Premier, the National Security Council and the Cabinet, including—
  • Coordination of the collection and dissemination of information regarding the proceedings and decisions of National Security Council and Cabinet, and
  • Preparation of National Security Council and Cabinet submissions, ministerial briefings, responses to Parliamentary Questions, speeches and presentations;
  • Advise Government entities on policy development and implementation best practice.
• Administrative and secretarial support for the processing of—
  • Appeals under the Immigration (Transition) Law, 2018,
  • Appeals under the Customs and Border Control Law,
  • Appeals under the Firearms Law and the National Conservation Law,
  • Issuance of Tax Exemption Certificates for – Exempted Companies, Exempted Trusts, Exempted Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies in accordance with the relevant legislation;
• Liaising with the portfolio’s units and other government agencies concerning policy development, coordination and implementation (the main remit of the Policy Coordination Unit);
• Providing advice and support to government agencies with responsibility for protocol services;
• Facilitating the further administration of Freedom of Information and coordinating the development of Data Protection;
• Creating and implementing the Government Communication plan;
• Providing for a well-informed populace through the communication of information relating to the activities of government agencies, including support for proactive and responsive communication between government agencies and the public;
• Connecting people, promoting collaboration and building Civil Service morale by sharing a strong internal strategic narrative about the CIG and its purpose, embedding values, soliciting internal feedback, and promoting organisational integrity
• Providing advice and professional support and training to government communicators;
• Scoping and driving forward continuous improvement in the capability of government communications
• Human resources management;
• Financial management; and
• Strategic management, including policy development, coordination and implementation across Government Ministries and Portfolios.

More information about the nature and scope of the activities of the Cabinet Office, as well as ownership performance targets and budgetary outputs, is available in the annual budget statements. An organisational chart is also available that explains how the Cabinet Office fits within the purview of the Governor, Premier and other Cabinet ministers and members.

Cabinet Office Units

Location and Hours	Matters Handled
Cabinet Secretariat Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: (345) 244-2208 Email: CabinetOffice@gov.ky Website: www.cabinetoffice.gov.ky Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm	— Arranging and providing secretarial support to National Security Council, Cabinet and subcommittees — Advising on Cabinet meeting procedures — Support services to the Premier — Office of the Cabinet Secretary — Tax exemption certificates — National Conservation Council appeals — Firearms appeals — Administration and Human Resources
Policy Coordination Unit Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: (345) 244-3602 Email: deborah.webb-sibblies@gov.ky Website: www.cabinetoffice.gov.ky Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm	— Monitoring and reporting on international policy — Provision of technical advice to Cabinet — Policy development, coordination and implementation across Government Ministries and Portfolios. — Advise Government entities on policy development and implementation best practice.
Public Affairs Unit Closed office in June 2011 Website: www.cabinetoffice.gov.ky	— Public affairs advice and assistance — Coordination of public relations and community services — Development of strategies to promote and monitor public engagement with policy
Appeals Tribunal Secretariat Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: (345) 244-3606 Emails: Immigration Appeals Tribunal matters IAT@gov.ky Emails: Refugee Protection Appeals Tribunal matters RPAT@gov.ky Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm	Administrative and secretarial support to the: Immigration Appeals Tribunal; and Refugee Protection Appeals Tribunal
Constitutional Review Secretariat Closed office in November 2009 Website: www.constitution.gov.ky Email: foi.cab@gov.ky	Oversight of the 2007 constitutional reform initiative, which culminated with the passage of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009
Protocol Office Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: (345) 244-3612 Email: protocol@gov.ky Website: www.cabinetoffice.gov.ky Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm	— Advising government agencies on protocol — Ceremonial Event Management — Protocol intervention and airport liaison
Strategic Communications Unit Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: TBA Email: TBA	Work across Ministries to create and implement the Government Communications Plan including: - Defining and delivering a proactive programme of cross-government communications campaigns and content. - Continuous review and development of public channels to ensure they are effective.
Internal Communication and Engagement Unit Box 105, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 4th Floor Government Administration Bldg Grand Cayman KY1-9000 Tel: (345) 244-3605 Email: internal.communications@gov.ky	Working in partnership with leaders to engage staff in delivering on priorities and support organisational and cultural change by: - Developing and managing campaigns and channels - Providing high quality and relevant advice and interventions - Internal training and capacity building - Support for implementation of the 5-Year Strategic Plan for a World-Class Civil Service

Last Updated 2020-02-20