The government outlined proposed legislative changes to boost accountability and transparency in the social security system during a public information session.
Premier Cora Richardson Hodge, who also serves as finance minister, hosted the event on 27 February to brief stakeholders on the Social Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The session, held at the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building, provided an overview of the proposed amendments and offered attendees the opportunity to ask questions.
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Marisa Harding-Hodge, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, explained that the first priority is establishing a transparent process for appointing the Anguilla Social Security Board director.
Under the amended legislation, this will require board recommendation, ministerial approval, Executive Council approval and publication in the Gazette.
Another change is minimum criteria for director and deputy director appointments, focusing on integrity, competence, relevant experience, diligence and safeguarding the fund.
“The previous legislation would have spoken to the director must be a ‘fit and proper person’… but there was no actual definition within the legislation for what that meant in practice,” Harding-Hodge said.
The legislation also updates references to align executive responsibilities with the social security minister and Executive Council, and sets a cap of five years for every appointment.
Following the formal presentation, which included information from Marisa Harding-Hodge, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, attendees participated in a question and answer session.
Watch the session in full below:
