Opposition Calls for Urgent Review of District Councils to Strengthen Local Democracy

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, has filed a formal motion in Parliament calling for an urgent strategic review and the long-awaited implementation of Advisory District Councils. The motion highlights a 15-year legislative gap, noting that while Section 119 of the Cayman Islands Constitution mandates the establishment of these councils, the Advisory District Councils Act, 2011 has never been brought into force. Furthermore, the Act was designed for the former multi-member district system and is now outdated following the transition to 19 single-member constituencies. Key Objectives of the Motion include: • Constitutional Compliance: Fulfilling the constitutional mandate to provide a formal platform for local advisory bodies. • Modernisation: Updating the legislative framework to align with the current single-member constituency model. • Participatory Democracy: Ensuring residents have a structured, legal voice in the governance and development of their specific communities. • 90-Day Timeline: Requesting that a Select Committee of Parliament be appointed to review the Act and report back with recommended amendments within three months. The Deputy Leader emphasized that with a review of Electoral Boundaries already on the horizon, this is an opportune moment to better align local representation mechanisms with the national electoral framework. Statement from the Leader of the Opposition The motion is seconded by the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), Hon. Joey Hew, who underscored the importance of grassroots engagement. “True democracy does not begin and end at the ballot box every four years; it requires continuous dialogue between the government and the governed. By revitalising the Advisory District Councils, we are ensuring that every constituency has a formal mechanism to influence policy and voice their concerns. It is time we bridge the gap between our Constitution’s promises and the reality of community involvement in the decision-making process.”