Second Sitting of the First Meeting of the 2026-2027 Session of Parliament took place on Tuesday, 23 June. During the sitting, Acting Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon was sworn in as a temporary ex-officio member of Parliament.
Twenty-four annual reports were tabled. Of note was the presentation of the first annual report for the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre for the period ending 31 December 2025. In her remarks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the facility provides evidence-based psychiatric care, psychosocial rehabilitation and various activities including sports sessions, community outings, arts and crafts and computer training. She said the facility received its first patient on 24 December, and residents have reported feeling safe, comfortable and well taken care of.
Minister Ebanks-Wilks further stated that the facility is operating below maximum capacity and continues to struggle with staffing challenges. She outlined remedial steps such as providing psychiatric training to upskill experienced local nursing assistants and registered nurses and to expand recruitment outreach abroad.
The Acting Deputy Governor also presented three annual reports on human resource activity within the Civil Service for 2023, 2024 and 2025, focusing primarily on the 2025 report. She outlined that the civil service employed 4,988 individuals, accounting for 60 per cent of the entire public sector workforce, with the total public service headcount reaching 8,302 persons. Mrs McField-Nixon reported that this represents an increase of 287 employees or 3.6 per cent across the entire public service. The acting deputy governor added that Caymanian representation within the public service was 5,872 employees, representing 70.7 per cent of all employees.
Members of the opposition posed five questions to members of the government. In his response to a question about single-use plastics the government intends to ban, Minister for Home Affairs and District Administration, Hon. Nickolas DaCosta explained that Cabinet approved drafting instructions in April 2026 to prohibit importation of specific single-use plastics, but the final determination will be informed through public consultation. He said eight products have been identified for consideration: small plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, plastic stir sticks, polystyrene cups, plastic chopsticks, plastic helium balloons and sticks, sky lanterns and polystyrene clamshell food containers.
Minister DaCosta also addressed a question about whether the Water Authority intends to apply to the Utility Regulation and Competition Office to increase its rates. He confirmed that on 3 June, the Water Authority announced a 3 per cent adjustment to base prices for water, sewerage and septic services effective 1 July 2026. The minister explained that it represents the first increase in seven years, with water still costing less than three cents per gallon compared to commercially bottled water averaging $2.68 per gallon. He added that the Authority operates as a self-financing statutory authority without operational funding from central government, maintaining reserves for future capital expenditure and infrastructure development.
In a statement, Minister for Sports, Youth, Culture and Heritage Hon. Isaac Rankine announced the return of Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks to international competitive swimming. The Minister expressed excitement about Jordan’s return to professional swimming and highlighted his previous achievements including setting a world record as the first swimmer to break the 22-second barrier in the 50-meter freestyle.
Several parliamentarians delivered remarks acknowledging the passing of community members, with primary focus on former Chief Secretary James Ryan. Premier Hon. André Ebanks delivered an extensive tribute to Mr. Ryan, reading the government’s official tribute into the Hansard records. The Premier described Mr. Ryan as a distinguished son of Cayman Brac who began serving his country at age 13 as a wireless messenger and went on to serve nearly four decades in public service, including roles as educator, principal, district commissioner, deputy chief secretary and ultimately Chief Secretary from 1994 to 2004.
During the debate on the Throne Speech, Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Rolston Anglin, responded to concerns raised by Members of the Opposition. The Minister affirmed that the National Coalition For Caymanians Government remains unified in its commitment to national priorities and provided assurance regarding the Islands' robust fiscal position. He further highlighted the Government's sensible borrowing practices, undertaken in accordance with the approved 2026–2027 Budget.
The Status of Children (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was presented by the Minister for Social Development and Innovation, the Honourable Isaac Rankine. The Bill proposes several amendments to the Status of Children Act, 2003, including updated definitions and revisions to the subsection governing parentage testing orders. Minister Rankine outlined the necessity of modernising the legislation in response to evolving family structures within the Cayman Islands, as well as the importance of empowering children to actively participate in decisions that affect them. The Bill was passed unanimously by the House.
Three Private Members' Motions were brought before the House. With respect to the Motion to increase the Personal Duty-Free Waiver for returning residents from CI$500 to CI$800, Parliamentary Secretary Julie Hunter advised that the Government is in agreement with the Motion and further announced that the duty-free waiver will be increased to CI$1,000 during the months of July, August, and December.
The House was adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 June.