HoA Ensuring Smooth Budget Process
Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Julian Willock said that the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands is ensuring a smooth process for the passing of the Territory’s 2022 budget.
On November 11, Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Andrew Fahie presented the 2022 budget of $397M, under the theme, ‘Strategically Positioning New Industries with Sustainability and Innovation: Continuing to Improve the Standard of Living with Focus on Education, Small Business, Healthcare and Technology.’
The motion for the second reading of the Bill was read and seconded after the budget address was delivered following which the sitting was then adjourned to a date that is to be announced after the completion of the Standing Finance Committee process (SFC).
The Standing Finance Committee is a committee of the whole House with the principal order to examine the Annual and Supplementary Estimates of the Territory in detail and to examine how departments of Government carry out their responsibilities.
Speaker Willock, who is chairing the SFC, said the committee is currently meeting with departments, statutory body and constitutional agency heads to discuss financial details and plans for the upcoming year.
“After the Standing Finance deliberations, the committee’s report will be presented to the House by the Premier, who shall move that the report be adopted and debated,” the Speaker said.
He added, that when the House resumes, the debate will commence and will be confined to the financial and economic state of the Territory and the general principles of Government’s policy as indicated by the Appropriation Bill.
At the conclusion of the debate and the passing of the Bill, it is then to be assented by the Governor, which paves the way for programmes and projects by Government’s ministries and departments to receive funding.
The motion for the second reading of the Bill was read and seconded after the budget address was delivered following which the sitting was then adjourned to a date that is to be announced after the completion of the Standing Finance Committee process (SFC).
The Standing Finance Committee is a committee of the whole House with the principal order to examine the Annual and Supplementary Estimates of the Territory in detail and to examine how departments of Government carry out their responsibilities.
Speaker Willock, who is chairing the SFC, said the committee is currently meeting with departments, statutory body and constitutional agency heads to discuss financial details and plans for the upcoming year.
“After the Standing Finance deliberations, the committee’s report will be presented to the House by the Premier, who shall move that the report be adopted and debated,” the Speaker said.
He added, that when the House resumes, the debate will commence and will be confined to the financial and economic state of the Territory and the general principles of Government’s policy as indicated by the Appropriation Bill.
At the conclusion of the debate and the passing of the Bill, it is then to be assented by the Governor, which paves the way for programmes and projects by Government’s ministries and departments to receive funding.
