Cabinet approves change in juvenile sentencing
Following growing concern about juvenile crime, Cabinet yesterday approved an amendment to the juvenile offenders act. Under the previous law children as young as ten years old could be sent to Hattieville Prison. With the amended version, magistrates can decide to sentence a minor to another institution such as the Youth Hostel. Cabinet also approved the request that the Princess Royal Youth Hostel be relocated to the Listowel site. The Youth Enhancement Academy will also be moved elsewhere so that a high school can be erected at that location.
Minister of the Public Service and Labor Jose Coye signed an order which repeals the 1994 law which described all revenue collecting agencies of Government as essential services thus prohibiting them from going on strike. Motorcycle riders may also soon be required to wear a helmet when the new legislation is passed.
Under the Ministry of Health, training will begin for nurse’s aids from nineteen villages in the Toledo District. The program will be conducted by HECOPAB in conjunction with the Bliss School of Nursing. Stipends for nurse’s aids will also be increased. In other health news, Cabinet approved the appointment of an interim autonomous body for the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The Board will include the Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Health Services, the Medical Chief of Staff, a representative from the medical doctors and one from the public service.
The Ministry of Budget and Planning reports that the Small Farmers and Small Business Bank opened for business yesterday. The bank on Constitution Drive in Belmopan will provide loans from seven hundred and fifty to seven thousand dollars. And the Ministry of Natural Resources will be relocating the Land Registry to Belmopan. According to the Prime Minister’s office this will unify the land registration systems under one ministry, expedite the processing of documents and provide better storage facilities for maps and records. And finally, Cabinet approved the appointment of a political reform committee to be chaired by Dylan Vernon.
