MARIGOT--President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson has said some eleven million euros per year since 2009 is owed to the Collectivité for what it contended was “unjust” compensation for the transfer of competences in 2007, and which resulted in the Collectivité taking the State to court on the matter.

 

She disclosed the administrative court in Paris will finally make a decision this year on the matter.

 

Speaking at the traditional New Year wishes ceremony from the President and Vice-Presidents on Friday, Hanson indicated she had asked the court to make the issue “a priority of constitutionality” noting the original calculations did not conform to the legislative provisions in the Constitution.

 

“In light of the entire re-examination of the dotation globale de compensation (DGC) it was clear the calculation did not compensate entirely the costs associated with exercising these competences transferred to the Collectivité,” she explained. “I’m sure you understand the importance of resolving this very contentious issue.”

 

The Collectivité, she added, has also since 2012 been fighting to obtain the share due from the national gaming tax revenue which is only now being addressed by the same court after three years of silence. The Collectivité stands to gain another 13M euros from this.

 

As is customary the traditional New Year wishes ceremony was attended by all the representatives from the Collectivité’s various institutions and departments, as well as Gendarmerie, Police Territorial and Police aux Frontières (PAF).

 

Among dignitaries invited were Préfète Anne Laubies, MP Daniel Gibbs, and from the Dutch side Governor Eugene Holiday and Minister of Finance and Acting Justice Minister, Richard Gibson.

 

The ceremony gives government leaders an opportunity to review 2015 while presenting the objectives for 2016.

 

Continuing on the theme of finance, Hanson said for the first time tax revenues are growing thanks to progress made in improving collection and management of taxes.

 

“I hope this trend continues in 2016 and can be enhanced with a broadening of the tax base which will increase financial manoeuverability without raising taxes. I must add the success of our territory depends on the civic duty of everyone to pay their taxes and contribute to the development of St. Martin.”

 

Education

 

I.9M euros was spent on renovation of educational establishments in 2015; 400,000 euros will be allocated to students in 2016 for scholarships with aid from European Social Funds (EFS). Two million euros has been devoted to Vocational Training in 2015-2016 with 27 training courses conducted by training partners; 200 job seekers are currently in training. In 2015, 29 associations received financial aid from the Collectivité and 80 young persons were employed on “contrats d’avenir.”

 

Information and Orientation Service

 

One hundred young people received training from Régiment Service Militaire Adapté (RSMA) in Guadeloupe in 2015; 20 contracts were signed by St. Martiners joining the Army; 996 students have benefitted from the partnership with LADOM. During the past four years 700 young people have gained professional experience working in businesses for the “Lend a Hand” project.

 

Hanson noted her intention in 2016 is to develop a charter with local businesses so that the island’s youth can be hired on a priority basis to reduce unemployment.

 

Sports Facilities

 

In 2016, sports grounds in Cul-de-Sac, French Quarter and Concordia will be renovated. In Galis Bay a space for Beach Volleyball and Beach Tennis will be created. Renovation work in the Omnisports Hall is due to be completed shortly. Work on the football field at the Thelbert Carti Stadium and renovation at the Louis Vanterpool Stadium to the field and overhead structure is planned for 2016.

 

The first quarter of 2016 will also see a feasibility study carried out for the creation of a Center for Excellence in Sports and Education that will include a swimming pool and water sports center.

 

General Policy of the Collectivité

 

The first territorial strategy for security and delinquency prevention signed December 15 put into motion an increase of Gendarmerie and Police patrols in high risk districts. In 2016, the Urban Center for Security (CSU) will see an additional 20 surveillance cameras installed on top of the 48 already in use.

 

A convention was signed by the Collectivité and the State on December 10 to formalise and harmonise the actions of Gendarmerie and Police Territoriale.

 

Hanson disclosed she has also asked for a study to be made in 2016 on the security situation of the territory.

 

The “Contrat de Ville” signed December 14 will permit in 2016 priority districts Sandy Ground and French Quarter concrete projects to materialise relating to health, education, delinquency prevention, and economic development.

 

The Police Station in Grand Case has reopened and an annex is planned for French Quarter in 2016.

 

Other actions to be carried out in 2016 will be in areas of responsible parenting, reducing domestic violence, and reducing instances of repeat crimes.

 

Cooperation

 

The trans-border cooperation programme with St. Maarten was approved by the European Commission with the Cole Bay sewage treatment plant being the first of the projects to start.

 

Hanson disclosed St. Martin this month will become the 11th member country of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

 

Cooperation with the Dutch side in the field of education has been formalised with secondary schools from both sides working together. Also in health, with the joint study “How healthy is St. Martin/St. Maarten” organised by the Health Observatory currently in progress.

 

The Collectivité also emphasises cooperation in the field of disaster management and has acquired new monitoring equipment, weather radar and tide levels for example, while revising warning codes and alert levels.

 

Follow up to President Hollande visit

 

Report on the Cadastral Mission undertaken in 2015 is still awaited. Transforming the former library into a Court of First Instance annex by the Ministry of Justice will begin in March/April 2016. Installation of magistrates and staff is scheduled for September 2016.

 

Hanson asked the Préfète to remind the State that the Commission formed to work out a specific “catch up plan” for infrastructure in St. Martin has still not met with the Overseas Minister.

 

She added a summary of the work on making amendments to the Organic Law has been completed and the finalised memo will be sent to the Overseas Ministry and Parliamentarians. A meeting will be held January 28 to ensure this process is completed.

 

New Services

 

Hanson disclosed public outreach reception desks will be created in each district, managed by the District Councils, where some administrative services for the population will be decentralised.

 

This year, 2016 will also see the Collectivité launch its new website in February.

 

The four Vice-Presidents each gave a summary of the actions completed in 2015 in relation to their own portfolios, as well as giving the outlook for 2016.

 

The Daily Herald