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by pltm
(PLTM) - Now roughly halfway through their first term in office, the VIP administration has agreed that ministers, including junior ministers, will soon be privy to the expertise of Ministerial Political Advisors, costing taxpayers about an additional $120,000 per adviser per year.
This was revealed in a post-cabinet meeting statement published yesterday, July 22.
It said the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands met virtually on July 8 and approved the consultancy of Ministerial Political Advisers, "similar to the model as used in the United Kingdom."
It explained, "Where the Premier would be assigned no more than three Ministerial Political Advisers and each other Cabinet Minister and Junior Minister would be assigned no more than one Ministerial Political Adviser."
The Ministerial Political Adviser would be tasked to conduct research and analysis, assisting in speech writing for the assigned Minister, and other areas as outlined in the job description that was not revealed.
The Cabinet statement further said the tenure of the Ministerial Political Advisers will be the same as the tenure of the Minister to whom they are assigned.
Cabinet also agreed to waive the tender process for the contract and stated that the compensation does not cover gratuity payments, annual leave and sick leave.
"Each Ministry will allocate payment of remuneration for Ministerial Political Adviser under their Consultancy vote, and payments for the Ministerial Political Adviser to junior ministers will be borne from the consultancy vote of the Premier's Office," it said.
Furthermore, they will also be expected to operate under the laws governing the public service, regulations and policies except where research, advice and other support to the Minister may incorporate political considerations into their analysis, advice, speech writing etc. in a manner that would not be permissible for a permanent public officer.
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In the meantime, Cabinet agreed that the Ministerial Political Advisers would be required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Ministerial Political Advisers and considered and decided "that an Integrity Committee for Ministerial Political Advisers shall be set up comprising the Permanent Secretary, Premier's Office as Chair; Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor's Office; and one of the four other Permanent Secretaries in rotation each year."
The Ministerial Political Advisers would also be expected to declare any private interests that they may hold in any matter that may be deemed relevant to their work, upon assumption of duties and periodically as circumstances may require, and this disclosure shall be made by letter to the appointing Minister and copied to the Permanent Secretary in the Premier's Office as Chair of the Integrity Committee for Ministerial Political Advisers and to the Premier.
Importantly, the Integrity Committee will be able to call and question Ministerial Political Advisers on their adherence to the Code of Conduct for Ministerial Political Advisers or matters of conflicts of interests, and that the Committee may submit a report to the Premier for his or her consideration.
