CPA report recommends reforms for Anguilla’s House of Assembly

Landmark report recommends significant reforms to the governance and administration of the Anguillan House of Assembly

In total, 28 recommendations have been proposed to reshape and significantly enhance the governance, independence and administration of the Anguilla House of Assembly.

In early 2021, the House of Assembly commissioned the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to conduct a review of the functions, leadership, management and administration of the House. The review focused on how the House was funded, the independence of the House from the Government and Judiciary and the resources available to Members to ensure robust and effective good governance. Between 31 August and 9 September 2021, two technical advisors were deployed to Anguilla to support the House in conducting the review. Consultations were undertaken with a large cross-section of stakeholders including current and former Members, members of civil society, government and parliamentary officials and the media.

The concluding report which has now been published by the CPA, proposes greater financial independence of the House, stronger leadership from Members on the governance of the House, increased staffing support for research and legislative scrutiny and enhanced public outreach and engagement. The report also has broader constitutional ramifications which should be taken into consideration as part of the ongoing constitutional review process.

The report will be debated by the House of Assembly once it returns from prorogation in November 2021 when Members of the House will also have an opportunity to consider all the recommendations and proposals for reform in detail.

The review and concluding report form part of a long-term technical assistance programme between the House of Assembly and the CPA. The programme seeks to implement key outcomes from the CPA Recommended Benchmarks Assessment which took place in 2020. The programme has so far supported the updating of the House of Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. Work on the programme will continue into 2022.

To read the full report please click here.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.