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by pltm
(PLTM) - The use of gender-neutral pronouns which does not associate a gender with the individual who is being discussed has been recommended for use across all statutory boards in the Virgin Islands.
The recommendation is contained in a report prepared by Jamal Smith, Attorney-of-Law, following a full review of all Statutory Boards in the Territory.
“Gender-neutral pronouns should be used for statutory boards, in particular the word “Chairman” should be changed to “Chairperson” wherever it appears in enabling legislation for statutory boards,” Smith recommended.
Also included in his recommendation is the establishment of a Statutory Boards Desk Officer in the Premier’s Office, which has a supervisory role over all Ministries and ultimate accountability to the House of Assembly.
According to Smith, the appointed person should be a public servant designated as such by the Governor, with oversight for the establishment and maintenance of all statutory boards.
“The qualifications for this position should be at least the completion of the Chartered Governance Foundation Programme at the Robert Mathavious Institute at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, while a suitably qualified business graduate within the public sector should be identified for fully-funded training to assume this role, through a rigorous selection process,” Smith recommended.
The person, he states, would operate as a corporate governance specialist within the public sector whose general role would be to ensure that all statutory boards are legally constituted, financially sustainable and properly organized.
The specific responsibilities recommended would include maintaining an up-to-date roster of all statutory boards, coordinating the nomination and appointment processes of all statutory boards, facilitating all reporting mechanisms between statutory boards and the Central Government as well as between the Central Government and the House of Assembly and also ensuring that all audits and other financial reports are properly produced.
“This person should also prepare an annual report on the work done in respect of all statutory boards that is to be laid before the House of Assembly,” Smith stated.
Further, he recommended that the Statutory Boards Desk Officer’s annual report should include an overview of all nominations and appointments to statutory boards for the year, and those that remain outstanding; an overview of all annual reports submitted by statutory boards for the year, and those that remain outstanding; any other information about work conducted by the Statutory Boards Desk Officer during the year.
