Mr. Speaker,
I am pleased to table in this Honourable House the Bermuda Building Amendment Act 2025. This bill addresses the broader and ongoing discussion about streamlining the Department of Planning’s procedures, particularly concerning building permits.
Mr. Speaker,
In a ministerial statement delivered to this House on May 30th, I spoke frankly about the public perception and the genuine frustrations surrounding our planning system. Whether you're a homeowner renovating, a small business expanding, or a developer shaping the next phase of our island’s growth, the message remains consistent: the process can feel too slow, overly rigid, and unclear. That is a message we have heard. And this bill is part of our response.
Mr. Speaker,
One of the reforms I announced on 30th May was the development of a Competent Persons Scheme, or CPS. I mentioned then that legislative changes were underway to enable the introduction of this scheme. Initially aimed at solar installers, the CPS would allow qualified professionals to self-certify their work without needing stage-by-stage inspections, while still being subject to oversight and spot checks by the Department of Planning.
But let me be clear: the CPS is just one example. The amendment before us today lays the groundwork for many such modernisations, including more efficient reviews, better use of professionals, and more innovative building permit management.
Mr. Speaker,
This bill proposes a simple procedural change: to amend Section 23 of the Bermuda Building Act 1988, replacing the affirmative resolution process with the negative resolution process for regulations made under that section.
This will allow technical regulations, such as those required for the CPS initiative, to be updated more effectively, without needing to refer each change back to the full House for approval, while still ensuring parliamentary oversight and accountability.
Mr. Speaker,
This change enables us to act more swiftly when appropriate, while maintaining the standards and protections the public expects. It supports our broader goal to develop a more responsive, reliable, and efficient planning system. This change also aligns with:
- Our goal to “BE BUILDERS, NOT BLOCKERS.”
- Respecting the time and deadlines of applicants and professionals, without compromising the role of the government.
- And most of all, reflecting the kind of practical reform the public has asked for and that we in this House have a duty to deliver.
Mr. Speaker,
I trust that all Honourable Members, on both sides of this House, will recognise the value in this small but powerful amendment, and I look forward to a constructive and forward-looking debate when the Bill is brought forward for second reading in two weeks.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.