The recent heated debate in the Anguilla House of Assembly in response to the introduction of the supplementary budget intended to fund the completion of the new Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) campus appears to have attracted the attention of many persons. The arguments advanced to support the views of various speakers have caused many persons to question whether perspective has been lost. Are our leaders focused on the intended primary beneficiaries of the new school or are they simply engaging in politicking?
In the Anguillian’s Editorial of 1st March, 2019, under the caption “Recognising and Respecting Primary Beneficiaries” our leaders were urged to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure good policy development and the proper implementation of public or private initiatives. The recent debate about the relocation of the ALHCS Campus and the ‘stand-off’ between the former ANGLEC Board and the Government of Anguilla in relation to the mechanism for achieving renewable energy suggest that matters raised in that editorial are still very worthy of consideration today. Significant sections of the editorial are, therefore, set out below.
“Recognising and Respecting Primary Beneficiaries
Very often in Anguilla good policy proposals or essential public or private initiatives are not implemented or are delayed for a considerable period, while public officials spend what appears to be an inordinate amount of time identifying every flaw in the proposed policy or initiative, without attempting to offer a meaningful solution. This serves no useful purpose but still appears to prevail, while the real goal of the policy or initiative is lost.
Good policy development or the proper implementation of public or private initiatives requires an examination of all available options to determine their potential benefits and burdens. However, to do this effectively one must consider what the policy or initiative is ultimately seeking to achieve. This involves identifying the intended beneficiaries and what will optimally serve the needs of the beneficiaries. Where burdens are identified, prudent practice requires that consideration be given to how those burdens can be overcome. The cost of overcoming those burdens must be measured, against the benefits to be gained by the intended beneficiaries.
Today, in Anguilla we can legitimately wonder whether these principles are considered when public officials make determinations on public policy development or the implementation of public or private initiatives.
The visible assurance that Anguillians are first, in all public policy considerations and when reviewing public and private initiatives would go a long way towards allaying unwarranted fears and the consequential delays to policy development and the implementation of initiatives. Visible assurances can only be given, through the words and actions of public officials. Elected and appointed public officials must strive to convey, through their words and actions, their intention to do right by Anguillians in all their deliberations and decisions. A huge step forward in achieving this will be made when public officials work with Anguillians to resolve issues pertaining to public and private initiatives rather than merely identifying potential obstacles.
Consideration must also be given to who is the primary beneficiary when considering the relationship between Anguilla and the United Kingdom. Anguilla’s relationship with the United Kingdom requires that the approval or acquiescence of the UK Government must be obtained before certain public initiatives are approved and implemented. Does the UKG in determining whether an initiative should or should not be approved actively consider the intended beneficiaries of that initiative?
Public officials, whether they are GoA or UKG officials, must recognise and be responsive to the views, needs and desires of intended beneficiaries in their decision-making processes. Until this becomes apparent, suspicion, justified or unjustified, will prevail, resulting in unwarranted delays in the making of decisions and the implementation of essential initiatives.”
Our elected leaders would do well to ensure that their words and actions point unequivocally to a desire to identify and meet the needs of the many stakeholders of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Which will prevail – scoring political points or maintaining perspective?
