GSLP-Liberals-Manifesto-2019

will now be made directly to the OFT.
Disbanding the Business Licensing
Authority: Applications will be made
directly to the OFT avoiding delays in
unnecessary hearings.
New Premises Policy: a detailed
written policy on the new criteria
will be issued and clear guidelines on
premises waivers published.
Simplified Licence fees: fees will
be charged to service providers
and traders reversing the current
cumbersome charging structure.
Licence Conditions: the OFT shall be
empowered to place conditions on
licencees when necessary.
Enforcement powers: effective
and proportionate powers will be
available to the OFT to deal with noncompliance.
NEW LAWS FOR BETTER BUSINESS
Following the extensive consultation
carried out in these areas, draft
legislation has been prepared and will
quickly be brought before Parliament
rationalizing existing provisions into
a simpler and more effective regime
for all bars, restaurants and food
establishments. These provisions will
not only deal with their licensing,
but with a stronger regime for the
maintenance and management of
tables and chairs placed externally
including any planning considerations,
cleanliness requirements or abuse of
the areas licensed, and appropriate
enforcement provisions. The
proposals also deal with clubs and
associations, street entertainers and
commercial parking for deliveries.
These proposals will streamline
and simplify licensing for bars and
restaurants across Gibraltar whilst also
ensuring compliance with obligations
to erect, care for and maintain external
tables and chairs.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
We fully support the initiative by
the GFSB and supported by other
Organisations to create a BID for Main
Street and will work with the various
people involved in the preparation
of the Business Plan to enhance and
fulfill the potential that we believe
Main Street enjoys as an International
Shopping area. Subject to the BID
being favourably received by main
street traders, we will work with
the team to ensure this exciting and
beneficial project becomes a reality.
We will match the investment in the
BID on a pound for pound basis.
COMMERCE
The GSLP LIberal Government has
invested time and resource into
providing startups with the best
support they can get - and we can and
will do more. In every Budget we have
provided incentives for start ups. We
will now ensure that we consolidate
all the advantages which start ups can
benefit from and illustrate them in a
guide which will show why Gibraltar is
one of the best places in the world to
start a business.
START UP INCUBATOR
To also provide an eco-system to kick
start even more start up businesses we
will designate an existing Government
office which can be segregated and
convert it, with hot desks and pigeon
holes and communal areas into places
where people can be registered, come
with a laptop, get coffee, chat with
other like-minded people and get off to
a great start. We will include dedicated
civil service support at the incubator at
which all manner of applications can
be initiated/processed, with nominal
rent in year 1. After year 1, the rent
will automatically increase marginally.
At the end of year 2, business owners
will need to have found an alternative
office space.
ROYAL GIBRALTAR POST OFFICE
The 2019 Post Office Collective
Agreement was a huge step forward
to becoming a sustainable business
that delivers an efficient service to
the community and introduces further
flexibility in working practices now
that technology is increasingly used
in mail services around the world. The
new CEO is now in place and is driving
efficiency and change to all aspects of
the service delivery of the RGPO.
NEW RGPO WEBSITE
The new RGPO website offers reliable
tracking, postage calculator options
and allows users to purchase postage
stamps online. Improvements were
made to the Main Street Post Office
in 2019 and the RGPO partnered with
the Gibraltar International Bank to
install an ATM there. Additionally all
types of postal stationery envelopes
and packaging are now available at the
retail counters.
PO BOXES & ICONIC PILLAR BOXES
The Irish Town PO Boxes have had a
full renovation and PO Box holders
will soon be able to opt to have their
PO Box mail collected and delivered
to their registered address. Gibraltar’s
iconic red pillar boxes are part of
Gibraltar’s heritage and tourism
product so the RGPO has embarked
on a restoration project that will see
every pillar box refurbished.
UK DELIVERY ADDRESS & PARCEL
TRACKING
So that Gibraltar enjoys the same
access to online goods as in every
major city, by early 2020 the RGPO
will offer its customers a UK address
for orders made from e-retailers that
do not ship to Gibraltar plus it is testing
a modern digital notification system
that notifies customers of the arrival of
their parcels immediately, making the
delivery process quicker and easier.
A management charge similar to the
United Kingdom model is also being
developed for goods imported to
Gibraltar.
A NEW HOME FOR RGPO
Plans are also being developed for a
new permanent home for the RGPO,
in a modern and user friendly location
which will provide for staff and users
of these services excellent facilities for
the next generation.
ELECTRIC RGPO FLEET
As part of its commitment to the
environment, the existing fleet of
vehicles will be gradually replaced with
electric models as from 2020
...aspire to the best Gibraltar 115