The Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority (AASPA) is aiming at paying its own way without the assistance of a Government subvention on which a number of other statutory bodies on the island depend.
In order to achieve this, the AASPA undertook to find ways and means of improving its revenue. However, while the Government is desirous of ensuring that a number of the statutory bodies should reduce their budgetary expenditure where possible, the Government does not wish that this should be done by increasing fees at the expense of the public.
The Ports Authority has responded to the Government’s request to reduce expenditure by recently submitting a budget showing a surplus. But the Government has requested the Board to review its presentation and to come up with a balanced budget.
That surplus was reported in the Minutes of the Executive Council dated January 7, 2021.
EX MIN 20\541 states in part:
“Council noted that –
1. the AASPA has presented a budget for the fourth time that now forecasts an EC$2 million surplus. An additional EC$7.4 million has been generated through proposed increases. This was inconsistent with the Executive Council’s mandate to present a balanced rather than surplus budget, especially given the economic climate;
2. there is a challenge in interpreting the budget submitted as it is not possible to readily determine the reasonableness of the proposed changes. Particular areas of concern were airline ticket fees, passenger service fees, port development fees, cargo (warehouse/security fees), fees affecting construction materials and revenues raised through Sandy Ground port. Changes in certain areas would have a direct impact on the price of goods for the end consumer. New charges should be avoided; and
3. the Board states that they [it] aimed to align the fees with those charged in the region and make AASPA sustainable without a subvention.
“Council then agreed that:–
1. AASPA should again review its budget and present to Executive Council a further revised fee schedule to support a balanced rather than surplus budget and show the underlying assumptions; and
2. the Board shall present the [revised] budget at a Special Meeting of Executive Council on Friday 8th January 2021 at 8.00 am.”
Accordingly, the AASPA Board met with the Executive Council on that date and, as required, presented a revised budget. The Minutes of that meeting stated:
“Council noted that –
1. the revised budget contains a minor surplus of EC$4,900.00 and the Board has now fulfilled the mandate given; and
2. in order to implement the proposed fee changes certain Regulations must be enacted to facilitate the collection of fees and this may have an impact on revenue for January 2021.
3. Council approved the budget and tariff changes; and instructed the PS MICUHT, the CEO of the Board and the AG’s Chambers to collaborate in sharing the information necessary for the preparation of the required Regulations; and, instructed the AG’s Chambers to draft the required Regulations for review by Executive Council at the next meeting on January 14.”
