PARLIAMENT UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE

The Parliament Management Commission (PMC) today formally launched the Parliament’s new website, www.parliament.ky, as part of the transition from the former Legislative Assembly to the Parliament.

“It was my goal to publish the new site prior to the Throne Speech and Budget Address, so that the public would have an improved experience accessing news and information about the Parliament by the time such a momentous event happened” said the former Speaker, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, who had included the website overhaul as one of her top priorities for the Parliament when she became the Speaker in November 2022. “I may no longer be the Speaker but I am no-less thrilled on behalf of the Parliament that it has achieved this great accomplishment.”

The new website replaces the former Legislative Assembly site, which has since been archived. Initially identified as a project by the PMC upon it becoming autonomous with the Constitutional change in December 2020, the overhauled site became a reality with the support of Hon. Ebanks-Wilks and the hiring of a Communications Officer in May 2023.

“This is the accomplishment of a small team of extremely hard working and dedicated Parliament staff, who have a deep understanding of the Parliament and its Committees,” the former Speaker added. “Their knowledge and insights into what make this institution so important, and how it functions, enabled them to craft what we see today.”

Completing the new website was a priority for the Parliament after it developed its new Communications Strategic Plan, which identified three key priorities: establishing the Parliament online, disseminating the work of the Parliament and the PMC, and instituting operational procedures.

“We prioritised rebuilding the legislature’s online presence so that the public are provided with reliable and trusted information about all of Parliament’s events and activities,” said Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin, Clerk & Chief Officer. “This includes sections for all House documents, Hansards, Committees, Commonwealth Parliament Association (CPA), Youth Parliament, and PMC reports.”

Several of the Auditor General’s reports made mention of the old Legislative Assembly website as lacking in updated information. The PMC addressed this through the appointment of the new Communications Officer and the completion of the updated site, which has a 3D walk-through of the building, a Members seating chart of the Chamber, and blog articles. The PMC utilised the skills of Eyecay, a Cayman-based Web Design and Development Company for the large-scale redesign.

“Reaching a greater number of Caymanians by establishing Parliament online through the new website and new social media channels was one of the most important of our communications goals,” said the former Speaker. “Connecting to the people and showing what goes on in the Parliament, not just during House, was important to me in ensuring that people have greater access to this vital institution, so they can feel a greater connection to their centre of democracy.”