The Ministry of Finance has announced the appointment of the Fiscal Responsibility Council, an independent body corporate formed in accordance with Section 26 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2023 with effect from 15th October, 2024. The announcement was made during a press conference held February 27, 2025 at the Ministry of Finance.
On behalf of the Ministry, Financial Secretary Simon Wilson stated the inaugural Fiscal Responsibility Council was appointed on 4th November, 2019 under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 and its term ended on 3rd November 2022. The government, he explained, decided to repeal and replace the old Act with the current Act upon assuming office on 17th September 2021.
The current council is chaired by Attorney Christel Sands-Feaste. Other members include: Chairman of the Bridge Authority & President of Seaside Real Estate and Capital Investment Services, Pedro Rolle; Financial Services Expert, Dr. Gezel Farrington; CEO and President of SJK Engineering and Construction Ltd., Stephan Knowles; and Economist, Rupert Pinder.
The duties of the Council include assessing compliance with general principles, fiscal responsibility principles and fiscal objectives outlined in the Act; and advising on the fiscal and budgetary matters of the government, which include the fiscal strategy report, annual budget, mid-year review, pre-election economic and fiscal updates, government annual accounts and reports on deviations from the fiscal responsibility requirements. In addition, the council is charged with preparing reports on an annual basis for presentation to Parliament.


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