Minister of Barbuda Affairs, E. P. Chet Greene, has agreed to a request from the Barbuda Council to carry out a review and update the Essex Report which governs the financial arrangement between the Antigua-based central government and the council.
The request was made during Greene’s visit to Barbuda on Tuesday when he met with the Barbuda Council members to discuss their concerns.
Head of the Council’s Finance Committee, Trevor Walker MP, explained that the Essex Report was prepared in 1980, before the country attained political independence a year later.
“What happened at Lancaster House was that the British engaged the services of a financial expert to work out the modalities based on how the Council should be funded since it does not collect Custom duties et cetera.
“This forms the basis of what we term as ‘transfer grants’ which are to be made on a quarterly basis.
“What has happened over the years is that the transfers have been pegged at $6.5 million from central government,” Walker explained.
According to the Barbudan MP, things have changed significantly since 1980 and the time has come to revise the arrangement so that it more accurately reflects modern realities.
Greene agreed that a committee will be established to review the Essex Report and prepare recommendations which will be presented to the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
Along with members of the Barbuda Council, the committee will include government technicians and representatives of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
