Anegadians Push Back Against Premier's District Council

Residents of Anegada are signalling that they are not fully convinced by the Territory's Leader proposal to establish a District Council for the island, with some arguing that Anegada should instead be granted full district status and its own representative in the House of Assembly.

The issue emerged during a public consultation on constitutional on the island held on Sunday, June 7, as the Virgin Islands prepares to begin negotiations with the United Kingdom next month.

While Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley promoted the idea of an Anegada Council as a way to bring decision-making and resources closer to the island, some residents challenged the proposal, arguing that it falls short of giving Anegada equal standing with the territory's other electoral districts.

Currently, Anegada forms part of the Ninth District, which also includes Virgin Gorda.

During the discussion, Wheatley outlined his vision for a local council, describing it as a formal arm of government rather than an informal community group.

“We'd have to have a discussion with Virgin Gorda to see how they see it, but in my view, it's needed more for Anegada.”

The Premier explained that the proposed council would be elected by residents and would operate as an official local government body recognised by central government.

“I would say the best thing to do, is for the [council] to be elected,” Wheatley stated. “This is local government.”

He added: “This will actually be a government structure. It's not just like a community meeting. So a government structure, official structure, recognize fully by the government.”

Wheatley said the council would hold regular official meetings and function in a similar manner to local authorities in other jurisdictions.

However, the proposal was met with scepticism from some residents who questioned why the government was offering a council instead of pursuing district status for Anegada.

One resident pointed out that the district representative status would place Anegada on equal footing with the rest of the territory.

“So you're talking about giving us local government, but I'm not understanding then why making us a district is not a better priority,” the resident said.

“I understand what you're saying about the Boundaries Commission. I do. And of course, that will be a whole thing. However, it does kind of feel as though you're giving us an alternative.”

The resident continued: “The option would still solve all the problems of being a district, would still, in a sense, make us equal to the other districts in which we have more land and more population than the other districts. So I'm not understanding why you would give us something different when we could just be equal to the other districts.”

The comments were met with applause from those gathered.

Economic Benefits With Council

Responding, Wheatley sought to distinguish between electoral representation and local governance, arguing that district status and a District Council serve different purposes.

“The district system is an electoral system. It's about the legislative process and representation process. It doesn't necessarily speak to how the executive functions,” he explained.

“So what we are suggesting with a district council is part of how our executive function would be carried out.”

According to Wheatley, while district status could provide an additional voice in the House of Assembly, it would not necessarily solve the day-to-day challenges associated with local decision-making and service delivery.

“Now, what we are seeking to give you is more executive authority, more authority in terms of how public works functions, how solid waste functions, how land distribution would function, how whatever we decided would be settled on a local level versus settled on a wider government level,” he said.

The Premier also noted that under the current system, district status would require Anegada to have its own elected district representative, a process that would involve electoral boundary considerations.

Deputy Premier Julian Fraser also weighed into the discussion, arguing that a District Council could deliver more immediate economic benefits to Anegada than district representation alone.

“District representation and the district council being two different things,” Fraser said. “One brings economic prosperity, which another doesn't.”

“District representation doesn't bring economic prosperity to the district. But having the district council have a budget, that's economic prosperity that you can use to develop your district.”

Fraser argued that elected representatives often have limited direct control over resources, whereas a council with its own budget would have the ability to fund local priorities.

“Once the budget is passed and Anegada council has $200,000, that money goes into this council to spend in Anegada,” he said.

“While the district representative may not get $50,000 to spend in Anegada.”

Despite advocating for the council model, Fraser acknowledged that Anegada's case for becoming a district remains strong and suggested that the island's aspirations may eventually be realised.

“You have the best argument, which is sound, and it's going to happen. You're going to be a district,” Fraser told residents.

“If it doesn't happen with this Constitution, which has nothing to do really with you becoming a district or not, as the Premier explained, it's going to happen in the very near future that you will become a district.”