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Hons Smith & Flax-Charles blast SFC meetings as ‘futile’ process lacking data

- said the lack of data is causing legislators to make decisions 'blindly'
Deputy Speaker and At-Large Representative, Hon Neville A. Smith, right, and Jr Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) have criticised the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) process due to the lack of data available to them. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations, which were held at Richard C. Stoutt Building in the capital city, Road Town, were not open to the public. Photo: VINO/File
The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations, which were held at Richard C. Stoutt Building in the capital city, Road Town, were not open to the public. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Deputy Speaker and At-Large Representative Hon Neville A. Smith and Jr Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) have criticised the lack of data available to them at Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations.

The legislators raised their concerns during the debate on the $399.33M budget for 2023 at the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, today, December 20, 2022.

During SFC deliberations, public sector agencies and Central Government Ministries and Departments are called in to testify and justify their budget requests and most often argue for more funds.

The Ministry of Finance, including the Financial Secretary (FS) and senior staff, are there throughout the SFC meetings to answer questions and be the main resource of the committee. The FS is also questioned by legislators about the Territory’s debt, money in the bank and other fiscal matters.

SFC meetings a 'problem' - Hon Smith 

According to Hon Smith, one of the biggest problems in the budget process starts with Standing Finance Committee meetings.

“We've been doing the same thing so long, and the question is, are we doing it right? We come to Standing Finance [Committee] to talk about the budget, and numbers, but we end up talking about other things in Standing Finance. So the real true picture of what should be going on in Standing Finance is not happening, and that's my opinion,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker proposed that the SFC meetings lack data and that the poor process is one of the reasons the House is still trying to pass the budget at such a late stage.

The HoA was also slated to start at 10:00 AM today, but only began around 3:30 PM.

Data needed - Hon Smith 

“We cannot go in there sitting down just listen to somebody come and tell me I need a new vehicle because the truck broke down. We need to start having information explained to us, how you arrived at this?

“If we don’t have data, we don't have information, we cannot continue going down the road that we're going, making decisions. And that's been going on for 4-5 years I’m here."

Hon Smith also questioned why the data is not being shared with legislators if the Ministry of Finance has them, "because we're making decisions blindly, that's how I look at it," he said.

“We have to change the way we do things there. We cannot continue doing the same thing for years and years and years and we're not getting good results out of it. To me, that's what I'm seeing here. I'm saying that we need to change the process of Standing Finance [Committee],” Hon Smith added.

Futile exercise - Hon Flax-Charles 

Meanwhile, Hon Flax-Charles said the exercise of the Standing Finance Committee is one she believes is done in futility.

“I must agree with the Honourable Member, the Deputy Speaker...we have asked for these meetings for years and they are not forthcoming Madam Speaker, and so we again ask that before Standing Finance [Committee] that members of the House of Assembly are appraised of what is going on in advance,” she said.

Both legislators said they recognise the work of the House of Assembly staff; however, Hon Flax-Charles said the poor SFC meeting process is one that puts the entire territory in a predicament, given that the House of Assembly is left to call sittings at the 11th hour to try to pass a budget.

25 Responses to “Hons Smith & Flax-Charles blast SFC meetings as ‘futile’ process lacking data ”

  • jack (20/12/2022, 21:28) Like (37) Dislike (13) Reply
    The reality is they are both correct
  • please (20/12/2022, 22:12) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply

    Smith is sincere but not that e¥!1 woman.

  • relaxundertaker (20/12/2022, 22:18) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I genuinely value the knowledge you have provided on your blog. Actually, they are both right word wipe
  • My Take (20/12/2022, 23:23) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    To me what they are asking for is for another forum but not the budget forum. Other than that, I voted for Flax-Charles but not again. She is always in some kind of confusion and does not respect any public officer.
  • ONE TERM (21/12/2022, 00:52) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    This could well be the last budget that you two witnessed because i have a strong feeling that ayo gone next election
  • TOO Long. (21/12/2022, 04:42) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Irresponsible, incompetent, dishonest, careless, don't care...All of these can be used to describe the process. I'm glad a few courageous folks finally call them out ..
  • Really (21/12/2022, 05:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wake up people. Politics is division and it's in the Bible so how is that from the Almighty Creator Wow. The dumb people only know the brainwashed programming they don't know how to absorb the information and then debunk it. Division comes from the devil and this is why they let these sellouts run the devil Earth. No politicians care about the people if they did they would get rid of money which is the root of all evil. I feel for you followers because while you all are getting butched I will be marching with joy because I saved my family from all evil forces
  • one eye (21/12/2022, 07:21) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    Two of them critizing there own government what a shame
    • Sara (21/12/2022, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Where were their voices over the last two budget debates? they have strength now because "coach" isn't there.
    • really?? (21/12/2022, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Constructive criticism never hurt anyone especially if the truth is being told and should have no political affiliation. That's part of the problem in the BVI.
    • To one eye (21/12/2022, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This process has been taking place in the same way for the past twenty five years under all governments.
    • @one eye (21/12/2022, 11:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      One of our problems here is that we take all criticism personally, which is why it's hard for us to learn and improve. As I read it, the two legislators - elected to serve the people, not a party - are criticising a process.
    • ??? (22/12/2022, 07:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's call moral ethics (doing what is right) not sitting and accepting because of Party Affiliation.
  • @one eye (21/12/2022, 07:54) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what if both of them is criticizing their Government. They are within their rights to criticize if their Government is doing wrong. SILENCE HIDES VIOLENCE.
  • BF-250.10 (21/12/2022, 07:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @one eye, you are the shame.
  • They all must go (21/12/2022, 08:00) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I just cant wait for the next election boss
  • All the drama (21/12/2022, 08:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take heed and prepare yourselves. THE UK IS TAKING OVER IN 2023. DONOT SAY YOU WERE NOT WARNED.
  • plain and simple (21/12/2022, 09:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You go into Politics clean and you exit Politics dirty. I already told mine, you step into any type of Political arena, I am headed straight to DIVORCE COURT. Politics is a very dirty and dangerous game.You lose your sense of who you are and you have enemies around every corner waiting for the opportunity to take you down at the first opportunity they get.
  • Planning needed (21/12/2022, 09:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you buy a truck, you need to budget a new truck in 5 years (also show selling the used truck in that budget. Sounds like the way they do it is 'truck broke - give me money!'
    No wonder we got problems. These fools need to be educated.
    Same for roads. If you build a new road, you need to repave it in 20 years. And guess what? You should have known this 20 years ago when you paved the road!
    All we get is foolish new ideas for stuff. We need to budget to take care of the stuff we already have. It is all now broken... Like our government
  • lol (21/12/2022, 10:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are responsible for the low level of discussion at the SFC.
  • Hmm (21/12/2022, 14:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aren’t they the ones responsible for the proceedings at SFC? You complaining about yourself?
  • lol (21/12/2022, 17:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I honestly keep forgetting Sheep is in the government. You hear his name in a news story every few months. He actually does anything ?
    • @LOL (22/12/2022, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why don't you go to the Speaker,s Office and ask them? Better still he had the courage to contest an Election and won. Can you with your negativity do such? I think not!
  • WEW (22/12/2022, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    One $ for you, 2 $ for me. HOA accounting


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