Government

The Physical Planning Unit (PPU) has warned that planning permission must be obtained before development or construction can place on the island. The PPU says permission must first come from the Planning and Development Authority, PDA, before any works could begin. The unit says it has observed an increasing number of persons and agencies undertaking construction without the required planning approval. It cautions that this trend is a matter of serious concern as unauthorized development can compromise public safety, environmental protection, and the orderly development of Montserrat. Persons who have already received planning approval are required to notify the Physical Planning Unit before commencing construction. This enables the unit to schedule the necessary inspections and ensure that the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans and conditions.  The PPU warns that commencing development without planning permission constitutes a breach of the Physical Planning Act, and that it will take appropriate enforcement action against unauthorized developments. Such action may include stop notices requiring work to cease immediately, enforcement notices requiring the removal, alteration, or correction of unauthorized works, and prosecution and other penalties provided under the Physical Planning Act. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant delays, additional costs, fines, or legal proceedings. The Physical Planning Unit says it is committed to promoting safe, sustainable, and orderly development throughout Montserrat. It therefore asks all property owners, developers, contractors, and public agencies to submit the necessary planning applications and obtain approval before starting any construction project. By working together and following the proper planning process, the Physical Planning Unit says it can ensure that development benefits the entire community while protecting the environment and infrastructure.

The Government of Montserrat is extending its sincere appreciation to stakeholders who participated in the Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) and National Development Plan (NDP) consultation workshops. The consultation were held from 13–17 July. Over the five-day period, 111 stakeholders contributed their knowledge, expertise, and perspectives to help shape Montserrat’s long-term development agenda. Participants represented a broad cross-section of society, including public servants, private sector organisations, youth, civil society organisations, and members of the Montserratian diaspora from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and the Middle East. Stakeholders participated in structured workshops designed to review and validate the SDS Planning Framework and the NDP Results Logic, both of which will provide the foundation for the first draft of these national planning documents. Following completion of the draft documents, the Government will launch an extensive programme of public engagement to ensure all residents and stakeholders have an opportunity to review and provide feedback. The draft Strategy and Plan will be made available through online platforms and will be supported by island-wide public consultations, community meetings, and radio programmes designed to encourage broad national participation. The Government encourages all residents and stakeholders to continue contributing to the development of these important national planning documents. Comments and suggestions may be submitted through the Policy and Planning Division, Cabinet Secretariat, or by email to sempled@gov.ms or andrevhenry@me.com. The Government of Montserrat is thanking individuals and organisations that contributed to the important exercise. It says the collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the consultation process reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Montserrat for current and future generations.

The Government of Montserrat, through the Montserrat Customs and Revenue Services (MCRS), continues to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders in the island’s import and trade sector following a productive meeting with customs brokers and shipping agents held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Brades Arts and Education Center. The meeting was hosted by Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Derrick Lee, and formed part of MCRS’ ongoing commitment to improving customs administration, enhancing compliance, and preparing the island for the implementation of the Harmonized System (HS) 2028, which will come into effect across CARICOM on January 1, 2028. Joining Mr. Lee on the discussion panel were Mr. Peter W. A. White, Director General of the Montserrat Customs and Revenue Services; Mr. George Green, Superintendent of the Montserrat Port Authority; and Ms. Juliana Sweeney who is the Deputy Comptroller of the Montserrat Customs and Revenue Services. The session provided brokers and shipping agents with important updates on the transition to HS 2028 while reinforcing the critical role they play in maintaining efficient, transparent and compliant import processes. Discussions focused on improving manifest accuracy, ensuring proper tariff classifications, verifying consignee information, confirming exemption eligibility, and enhancing the quality of customs declarations submitted through the ASYCUDA system. Director General Mr. Peter W. A. White emphasized that the successful implementation of HS 2028 will require strong partnerships between Customs, brokers, shipping agents and the wider business community. Participants were encouraged to remain engaged throughout the consultation, training and system update process leading to the 2028 implementation. Comptroller of Customs Mr. Derrick Lee thanked attendees for their participation and stressed that ongoing dialogue between Customs and industry stakeholders is essential to facilitating legitimate trade while protecting government revenue and maintaining international standards. The meeting concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to raise concerns, seek clarification and contribute recommendations aimed at improving customs operations on Montserrat. The expected outcomes include greater accuracy in customs submissions, stronger compliance, reduced processing delays, increased accountability, and a more efficient importation process for all stakeholders. As Montserrat continues to modernize its customs and revenue systems, the Government remains committed to working closely with the private sector to build a more efficient, resilient and internationally competitive trade environment.

Montserrat’s leader of government business, Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade has reiterated the need for internal investments to drive economic development on island. Premier Meade was at the time discussing the economic state of the island with former Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) president Hygenius “Gene” Leon, another economist, on the “what’s on your mind” radio programme. Mr Meade used the introduction of the government’s micro business finance scheme as an example where a $2-million dollar pot of money allocated to the scheme was fully utilized. He gave the breakdown of the funds assigned as Fisheries – $549,000 Agriculture/farming – $451,000 Hospitality and tourism – $304,000 Consultancy professional services – $186,000 Retail and distribution – $147,000 Other – $120,000 Agri-processing – $120,000 Construction and trade – $50,000 Information technology -$50,000 Health and wellness – 13,000 Printing, media and publishing – $9,500 Premier Meade stated that the Government was able to secure an additional $2,000,000. “Hence my meeting at the ECCB. I was able to convince them that we needed more money. And I was in a position to obtain $2.1 million, of which $2,000,000, approximately 1.9 will go into the micro and small business scheme or the small business loan scheme. Mr. Meade said $100,000 will go to the Ministry of Agriculture for development work there. “The whole idea here is we put money into the economy, we put money into small businesses and farming activities. And through proper monitoring, the collection of data, we would be in a position to look at development in a broader perspective, Premier Meade explains. Meantime, Mr Leon praised the effort of the government as one of the pivotal programmes that one should not only support but expand going forward. He shared that to be able to undertake any meaningful investments and growth, one needs to be able to have not just adequate but affordable finance.

The Office of the Deputy Governor (ODG) is holding a Ministry Video Showcase as part of this year’s Public Service Celebrations. Ministries and Departments are invited to produce a 1–2 minute video showcasing their history, achievements, milestones, services, and the dedicated people behind the work. The theme for submissions is, “Our Story Throughout the Years.” Submissions can be sent to odg@gov.ms. The deadline for submission is Friday 31 July, 2026. The videos will begin airing on Tuesday 4 August 2026. Everyone is encouraged to watch, and take the opportunity to learn more about the history, evolution, and contributions of the Ministries and Departments over the years. This year’s Public Service Celebrations activities are being conducted under the theme: Public Service with Purpose: Serving Today, Shaping Tomorrow. Activities run from June through October and are designed to recognize and celebrate the dedication, professionalism and contributions of public officers across the Government of Montserrat.

The Physical Planning Unit (PPU) is expected to strengthen its governance and improve its service delivery following a new performance audit. The Performance Audit – Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Physical Planning Unit, commissioned by the National Audit in 2025, identified poor record keeping and weaknesses in financial management. According to the report, these shortcomings reduce the reliability of operational data, and limit the department’s ability to assess its own performance. Auditor General Marsha Meade explained that “operational weaknesses included poor data management practices, inconsistent inspection records, and approximately 20% of inspected sites lacked recorded application numbers. There was also “missing application identifiers and the absence of formal service standards or productivity measures.”  Ms Meade noted that “these deficiencies reduce the reliability of operational data and limits the unit’s ability to assess efficiency and performance. “Financial management weaknesses were also identified including fluctuating revenues, limited forecasting, and insufficient analysis linking financial performance to operational outputs.” The audit recommended the introduction of a formal performance-management framework with clear performance targets, defined timelines for processing planning applications, and stronger monitoring of consultant contracts. It also called for improved data collection and record-keeping, including stricter data-entry and verification procedures to ensure accurate and reliable information. The report stated that implementing these measures will enhance transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making while improving services provided by the Physical Planning Unit.