AGP Executive Report

Digital Assets: Premier David Burt is in Washington for talks with US financial regulators and digital-asset firms, as Bermuda prepares legislation that would let Government accept and invest in digital assets. Affordable Housing: Construction has begun on a $17 million Sandys development with 24 two-bedroom homes, the first project in a government programme targeting 194 units across four sites. Digital Government: Government is seeking a private provider to build and operate a digital identity platform for residents, while retaining responsibility for policy and oversight. Education Reform: The Bermuda Union of Teachers says educators must be meaningfully consulted on the proposed Education Authority before decisions affecting schools and students are made. Court Ruling: The Supreme Court struck out allegations of deceit and fraud against Government in a dispute with three technology companies, finding the claims lacked sufficient factual detail; other claims in the case remain.

Affordable Housing: Work has begun on the Albert Row development in Sandys, the first project in the Government’s 10-year housing programme. The 24 apartments are part of a first phase targeting about 194 homes, with the $17 million project backed by a Government guarantee. Education Reform: The Bermuda Union of Teachers says educators must be meaningfully consulted on the proposed Education Authority Act before decisions affecting schools and students are made. Digital Government: Government has begun seeking suppliers for a digital identity platform, planned as a public-private partnership, while retaining responsibility for policy and oversight. Court Ruling: The Supreme Court struck out claims alleging deceit and fraud by Government in a dispute with three technology companies, finding the allegations lacked sufficient supporting facts; other claims remain.

Housing: Work has begun on the first phase of Bermuda’s affordable housing programme at the former Albert Row site in Sandys. The $17 million project will deliver 24 two-bedroom homes, part of a wider plan for 194 units across four sites. Digital Government: The Government is seeking suppliers for a digital identity platform through a single-provider public-private partnership. The provider would build and operate the system, while Government retains policy and oversight responsibilities. Education Reform: The Bermuda Union of Teachers says educators must be meaningfully involved as Parliament considers the Education Authority Act, which proposes a staged rollout beginning with the authority’s establishment and consultation. Court Ruling: The Supreme Court struck out claims that Government acted dishonestly in a dispute with three technology companies, ruling the allegations lacked sufficient supporting facts. The underlying case includes other claims.

Homelessness Policy: Government has outlined a plan to end homelessness, putting the issue on the public agenda. Cost of Living: Government and the Chamber of Commerce differ over relief measures, highlighting a divide over how to ease pressure on households. Electoral Reform: Government has yet to deliver on absentee voting, leaving a key voting-access commitment outstanding. Land and Housing: Senators discussed a report on historic land losses, while the Upper House backed a land handover for housing. Public Services: A consultation supported an advance review of healthcare changes, while an MP questioned how much autonomy the planned Education Authority would have.

Union Accountability: A former union president has challenged the legitimacy of WIFOL’s leadership change, raising concerns about democratic procedure, membership eligibility and compliance with the union’s rules. Cost-of-Living Policy: The Government and Chamber of Commerce are at odds over relief measures, keeping pressure on ministers to address household costs. Housing and Homelessness: The Government has outlined a plan to prevent homelessness and expand housing support; separately, the Senate backed a land handover for housing. Political Accountability: Government has yet to deliver absentee voting, while senators have discussed a report on historical land losses. Public Consultation: A consultation is due to open on a new General Development Order, and an MP has questioned how much autonomy a proposed Education Authority would have. Government Relations: Minister Wilkerson attended a regional CFATF ministers’ meeting, while the Premier pressed the UN on greater self-government for the British Virgin Islands.

Homelessness Policy: Government has set out a plan to prevent homelessness, expand housing support and make homelessness “rare, brief and non-recurrent,” alongside a national action plan for 2025–28. Cost-of-Living Relief: Government and the Chamber of Commerce are at odds over relief measures, keeping pressure on ministers to address household costs. Land and Housing: Senators discussed a report on historical land losses as the Upper House backed a land handover for housing. Voting Rights: A report says Government has yet to deliver on absentee voting. Air Ambulance Tragedy: The Senate paid tribute to the six people killed in the crash, while recovery efforts continue off Nantucket for the aircraft and its flight recorders.

Homelessness Policy: On World Homeless Day, Government highlighted its newly tabled plan to end homelessness and 2025–28 action plan, aiming to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. Cost-of-Living Relief: Government and the Chamber of Commerce differ over how to address the island’s high living costs. Land and Accountability: Senators discussed a report on historic land losses, while Government faces criticism over its failure to deliver absentee voting. Housing and Planning: The Upper House backed a land handover for housing, and consultation is due to open on a new General Development Order; a property-tax increase limit is also creating uncertainty. Medevac Tragedy: Government and senators paid tribute to the six people presumed dead in the air ambulance crash off Nantucket, including two Bermudians; Canada is leading the investigation.

Homelessness: The Government highlighted its plan to make homelessness “rare, brief and non-recurrent,” alongside a 2025–2028 action plan recently tabled in the House. PLP Leadership: As the leadership contest continues, debate centres on experience and judgment, with affordability, healthcare and young Bermudians’ prospects among the concerns raised. Cost of Living: The Government and Chamber of Commerce differ over relief measures, keeping pressure on how best to address household costs. Accountability: Recent coverage says the Government has not delivered on absentee voting, while senators have revisited historic land losses.

Cost-of-Living Policy: Government says proposed changes would improve price transparency and strengthen the Cost of Living Commission, but the Chamber argues the measures offer little consumer relief and put a disproportionate burden on businesses. Digital Services: Government says more than 140 services have been digitised in two years, including parking payments and permit applications, as Home Affairs Minister Alexa Lightbourne reviews the programme. PLP Leadership: Curtis Dickinson says his campaign has focused on concerns including affordability, healthcare and education, as he seeks the party leadership; debate over his experience and approach has sharpened the contest with Jason Hayward. Land and Planning: Senators have discussed the report on historical land losses, while CURB renewed its call to protect Tucker’s Town cemetery and involve descendants in decisions. Government has also announced consultation on a new General Development Order. Public Accountability: A report says Government has not delivered on absentee voting, keeping election access in focus.

Cost of Living: The Government and Chamber of Commerce are at odds over proposed price-transparency rules. Home Affairs Minister Alexa Lightbourne says they will help target affordability measures; the Chamber argues consumer gains would be small while burdens on businesses would be disproportionate. Healthcare Oversight: A consultation found 91 per cent support for advance review of major healthcare changes, including powers to require safeguards or delay proposals. The framework still needs further development and government approval. Planning Reform: Government is consulting on a new General Development Order intended to streamline small-scale building, including additional homes on existing properties, while keeping planning safeguards proportionate. Financial Regulation: Attorney-General Kim Wilkerson attended a regional anti-money-laundering ministers’ meeting as Bermuda prepares for its CFATF assessment visit in April 2027. Electoral Reform: The Government missed its September deadline for legislation, and no electoral reform bill has reached Parliament, according to an opposition senator. Historical Land Losses: Senators discussed the inquiry report on past expropriations, with Wilkerson saying she was encouraged that action would follow.

Healthcare Oversight: Bermuda Health Council’s consultation found 91% support for advance review of major healthcare changes, with respondents urging clear rules and safeguards without extra hurdles for routine decisions. Planning and Housing: Government is seeking public feedback on a new General Development Order intended to streamline small developments, including additional homes. Senators also approved transferring land at Morgan’s Point for a planned 110-unit affordable housing project. Electoral Reform: The Government missed its September deadline to bring electoral reform legislation to Parliament, including measures on absentee voting, according to an Opposition senator. Historical Land Losses: Senators revisited the inquiry into land expropriations in Tucker’s Town and St David’s; the Attorney-General said she was encouraged that action would follow. Health Complaints: Senators passed amendments removing the requirement for lawyers on some professional complaints panels, as difficulty recruiting attorneys has contributed to delays. Police Accountability: The Police Commissioner is seeking judicial review of a panel’s decision to clear a former officer of misconduct.

Air Ambulance Tragedy: Bermuda mourns Marilyn Bean and her son, Sergio Lottimore, among six people presumed dead after a medevac flight from the island vanished off Nantucket. Canada will lead the crash investigation. Affordable Housing: Senators approved transferring land at Morgan’s Point for 110 homes at Dr Cann Park II; planning and financing remain in progress, and nearly 600 people are seeking affordable housing. Health Oversight: Senators passed amendments removing the requirement for a lawyer on professional complaints panels, a change the Government says will help ease a backlog of unresolved cases. Historic Land Losses: The Senate discussed the inquiry report on expropriations in Tucker’s Town and St David’s. CURB urged protection of the Tucker’s Town cemetery and a central role for descendants in decisions about the site. Education Governance: The Opposition is seeking clarity on the proposed Education Authority’s independence, as the education minister would retain powers over appointments and regulations. Public Finances: Bermuda is projected to post a $170 million surplus as David Burt prepares to leave the finance portfolio; the Premier has described the economy as strong.

Education Governance: Education Minister Diallo Rabain would retain powers over appointments and regulations under the proposed Education Authority. OBA leader Ben Smith says the balance between ministerial control and independence needs scrutiny. Air Ambulance Tragedy: Two Bermudians were among six presumed dead after a medical flight from Bermuda disappeared near Nantucket. Canada will lead the investigation. Tucker’s Town Cemetery: CURB is urging heritage-site recognition and a central role for descendants in decisions about the cemetery, tied to the community displaced for tourism development. Digital ID: Government is assessing suppliers for a possible digital identity partnership, but says the process is exploratory—not vendor selection or a rollout. Electoral Reform: OBA MP Dwayne Robinson says Government missed its September target to bring electoral reform legislation to Parliament.

Air Ambulance Tragedy: Bermuda police have identified mother-and-son passengers Marilyn Lavonne Bean (66) and Sergio Wayne Lottimore (41) aboard the Heartbeat 104 Gulfstream G100 that vanished on a Bermuda-to-Boston medevac flight near Nantucket; the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search after finding a debris field, while Canada’s TSB leads the investigation and Latitude Air Ambulance and Bermuda officials extended condolences. Regulation Watch: The Bermuda Monetary Authority warned the public that custodylife.com and Custody Life Bermuda Ltd are falsely claiming BMA licensing, adding the firm to its warning list and stressing there is no regulatory oversight. Government & Policy: Economy and Labour Minister Jason Hayward says Bermuda is preparing for a possible digital identity framework, including a supplier qualification process for a future PPP model. Public Access to Info: The Information Commissioner’s Office named Berkeley Institute student Alaire Brown the winner of a youth PATI awareness campaign, awarding her an internship to build and launch a campaign. Community & Culture: Black Pony Gallery and Masterworks Museum will host “Atlantic Voices,” a Caribbean-and-Mid-Atlantic group exhibition opening Oct 9. Sports: Warwick Football Academy announced an October camp with SoCal Reds FC, and Bermuda’s ties to regional sport continue with CARIFTA triathlon/aquathlon coverage.

Air Ambulance Tragedy: Bermuda Premier David Burt said he remains hopeful after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the Gulfstream G100 medevac that vanished after leaving Bermuda for Boston, with debris found off Nantucket; Bermuda Police and officials have identified two Bermudians, Marilyn Lavonne Bean and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, and the four Canadian crew, as Bermuda and partner agencies continue investigations. Government & Security Procurement: The Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard is seeking two new high-speed patrol/interceptor vessels, with an RFP calling for turnkey delivery to support interdiction, border protection, patrols, and search-and-rescue. PLP Leadership Tensions: Economy and Labour Minister Jason Hayward urged PLP members not to turn the leadership contest into a split, responding to internal party friction and legal action over membership rules. Community Support: BELCO and the Gina Spence Programme issued condolences and grief support messages for the families affected, urging privacy and care beyond the headlines. Local Business & Economy: BEDC welcomed 13 businesses into its Enterprise Bermuda Incubator; Bermuda Elevator Systems rebranded as Elevity. Sports & Culture: John Barnes and Andy Cole unveiled a Peace Bench at the Clyde Best Centre; Bermuda’s chess team returned from the FIDE Olympiad with new title achievements.

Air Ambulance Tragedy: The U.S. Coast Guard has identified all six aboard the Heartbeat 104 Gulfstream G100 missing off Nantucket—Bermudians Marilyn Lavonne Bean (66) and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore (41), plus four Canadian crew—after search efforts were suspended and the operator said all are presumed dead; Investigation Lead: Canada’s Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with the U.S. NTSB participating; Government Response: Premier David Burt and Health Minister Kim Wilson offered condolences as Bermuda said it has been in contact with families; Education & Reform: The Bermuda Union of Teachers urged the Ministry of Education to involve teachers early in reform and back it with pay, workload relief, and safe workplaces; Finance & Markets: The BMA and BSX rang the opening bell for World Investor Week, focusing on investor resilience and scam awareness; Tourism Leadership: Greg Ramey was appointed CEO of the Bermuda Hotel Association, effective Oct 1; Local Governance & Community: St. Mary’s Anglican Church marked its 400th anniversary with a rededication service attended by senior officials.