Indicator

Quantity

Comments

1

Total Area Managed (Hectares)

28

Approximately 2,300 lots have been conveyed on a freehold basis

2

Total Land Mgt. Budget $/year

200,000

Maintenance of infrastructure

3

No. of leases, etc, issued – agricultural

n/a

4

No. of leases etc. issued – non agricultural

300

Housing lots

5

No. of leases etc. prepared and sent to Commissioner -  agricultural

n/a

6

No. of leases etc. prepared and sent to Commissioner -

n/a

SILWC issues its own leases

7

Rental rate charged – agricultural

n/a

8

Rental rate charged – residential

300

Premia value on the basis of size and subsidized according to income levels plus $10.00 annual lease rent

9

Rental rate charged – industrial

n/a

12

Total Revenue collected, last available year (gross) $

400,000

1999

13

Total Revenue which should have been collected  that year

500,000

Some allottees came on stream late after resistance

14

Months required for lease renewal

n/a

The SILWC has not yet faced this situation because the lease arrangement is new

15

Months required for lease assignment (comments)

2 mths

Matter must be approved by the SILWC Board at monthly meetings

16

Months required for issuance of new lease (comments)

2 mths

Because of legal searches to determine landless clients

17

Months required to complete a sale (comments)

3 mths

Matter must be approved at Monthly Board Meeting

18

Months required to complete an acquisition

6 mths

Deliberation of Board, Valuation, Legal Searches etc.

19

Households squatting on land – 1999 or last available year

120

6 residential areas adjoining existing Housing Settlements

20

Acres occupied by squatters

24

21

No. of squatter households fully regularized since 1980

14

Two small residential areas at Dow Village, California

22

Acres of squatter households fully regularized since 1990

3

23

Number of squatter households in process of regularization

86

Outline permission obtained for 4 areas

24

Acres of squatter in process of regularization

18

25

What authority is vested in the agency, by whom, when, for control over the land

The Sugar Industry Special Funds Act

26

Does the agency have access to land capability for establishing desired use? From whom? Evaluation of use and usefulness of this information

YES

Scales: 1 – 1250

It has never been necessary to update cadastral plans for Housing Settlements which are managed by the agency

27

What are the procedures of the agency for protecting the land resource base to assure sustainable use by future generations?

All lands for housing are acquired from Caroni (1975) Limited. Before acquisition the Company ensures that the areas for sale are not prime agricultural lands. It also ensures that areas for sale for housing have the necessary gradient to facilitate the introduction of housing infrastructure. Every Housing Settlement established by the SILWC meets and satisfies the requirements of the following approving agencies: Town and Country Planning Division; Public Health Department; WASA and Fire Services etc. After the housing lots are distributed the SILWC undertakes maintenance works of  roads, drainage, parks, open spaces until these are “taken over” by the Local Government Authorities. In some instances, the SILWC’s maintenance responsibilities may span ten or fifteen years before “take over”.

28

Does the agency have capability for assessing the value of the land? If not, from whom, for what purpose?

NO

This service is sought from the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance. Because of delays, sometimes valuation services are obtained from private enterprise especially when the need for urgent valuation becomes apparent. Valuation from private enterprise is accepted because most of the individuals covered are retirees of the Valuation Division. The SILWC Board utilizes the Valuation Report as a significant guide to determine pricing criteria for the sale of lands.

29

Does the agency have capacity for drawing up leases and other use and possession agreements, licenses, grants, sales, and acquisitions of land? If not, from whom?

YES

The Agency has a Legal Section which is staffed with Conveyance Clerks and other support staff. Apart from this, the Legal Adviser of the Agency is the Chief State Solicitation of Trinidad & Tobago who vets and approves all legal documents of the Agency.

30

Does the agency have the capacity to detect encroachment onto its lands?

YES

The agency has two Engineering Assistants among its field staff. These personnel have the capacity to determine encroachment.

31

What procedures are used to inhibit encroachments and to evict encroachers?

Regular checks are made by the Engineering Assistants to identify and correct encroachments. In all instances boundaries are indicated to clients as soon as lots are allocated. In instances where encroachments are detected counseling sessions are held with those concerned. When this fails, a Licensed Land Surveyor is hired to realign boundaries, the cost of which is borne by the encroaching client. In cases where uncertainty exists, the SILWC usually bears the cost of re-surveying

32

What procedures are used to regularize squatters, including time and costs?

Discussions are convened with squatters in respect of regularization initiatives. In instances where a concentration of squatters exists, a community group will be formed. The group is utilized as a vehicle for consultation, for exerting conformity; for restricting a proliferation of squatters and even for community mobilization for self-help efforts.

INDICATOR

QUANTITY

COMMENTS

1

Total  Area Managed (hectares)

4,856

Comprising the entire North-West Peninsula of Trinidad

2

Total Land Management Budget $/yr.

Not given

3

Number of Leases issued – agricultural

    1

To the MALMR’s Chaguaramas Agricultural Development Project. A previous lease was discontinued.

4

Number of Leases issued – non-agricultural

104      

Leases issued to private businesses

5

Number of Leases prepared and sent to the Commissioner – agric.

N/A

The Authority executes its own leases through a panel of Attorneys

6

Number of Leases prepared and sent to the Commissioner – non-agricultural

N/A

- do -

7

Rental rate charged – agricultural (specify method of calculation)

400 acres leased to the MALMR at a reduced rent based on 2% of market value

5%   of land value set at $50,000/acre + 10% of the annual rent for provision of security and general maintenance of the area, will be charged to any other lessee.

8

Rental rate charged – residential (specify method of calculation)

N/A

No residential leases given.

9

Rental rate charged – industrial/commercial  (specify method of calculation)

$0.25/sq.ft/mth

+ 10% of the annual rental amount for security and general maintenance

10

Rental rate charged – other (specify method of calculation)

$US 0.55/sq.ft.

(Helipad, etc.) + 10% of the annual rental amount for security and general maintenance

11

Total Revenue collected, last available year

$700,000

The Division collects no rents. Revenue dependent on no. of leases issued and rental values ascribed.

12

Total Revenue which should have been collected in that year

$700,000

The Authority collects all rents due.

13

Months required for lease renewal

       3

Three (3) months before a lease is expired the CDA does a rent review based on an up to date valuation and sends notice to the Lessee of the new rental charge. The Authority prepares an Addendum to the Lease specifying the new rent, which is signed by both parties.

14

Months required for lease assignment

N/A

Sub-leasing only permitted with the approval of the Board.

15

Months required for issuance of new lease

2 – 12

Depends on the issues involved – need for EIA, etc.

19

Acres occupied by ag. squatters

Approx. 100

23

Acres of squatter households in process of regularization

N/A

Ag, squatters in the Guave Rd. area to be removed

24

Are maps/ plans available for all lands managed by agency

Yes

1:10,000 Cadastral sheets, 1:25,000 topographical maps.

25

What authority is vested in the agency, by whom, when, for control over the land

Authority vested by CDA Act No. 37 of 1972

26

Does the agency have access to land capability for establishing desired use? From whom? Evaluation of use and usefulness of this information

Land & Soil Capability Studies Reports

27

What are the procedures of the agency for protecting the land resource base to assure sustainable use by future generations?

EIA/ advice from EMA

Evaluation of proposed Programmes of Development for suitability of land use prior to granting leases; monitoring of land use thereafter.

28

Does the agency have capability for assessing the value of the land? If not, from whom, for what purpose?

No

A panel of valuators, including the Valuations Division.

29

Does the agency have capacity for drawing up leases and other use and possession agreements, licences, grants, sales, and acquisitions of land? If not, from whom?

No

CDA uses a panel of Attorneys who draw up lease agreements, which are signed by the Chairman of the Board and the General Manager and the Lessee.

30

Does the agency have the capacity to detect encroachment onto its lands?

Yes

The CDA has a Security Service, which polices its lands. The Tenancy Officer also does surveillance of lessees

31

What procedures are used to inhibit encroachments and to evict encroachers?

Notices served

Constant serving of notices “interrupts” occupation, thus preventing the acquisition of prescriptive rights.

32

What procedures are used to regularize squatters, including time and costs?

None

The squatters in the Guave Rd. area have not been forcibly removed for “political” reasons. However they are hampered from effectively using the land because of certain restrictions put in place by the CDA, such as gates, etc.

Indicator

Quantity

Comments

1

Total Area Managed (hectares)

 371

Land = industrial estates plus resort lands; Buildings = 660,215 square feet

2

Total Land Mgt. Budget  ($/year)

$2.0M

Administrative costs

4

Number of leases issued

Approx.475

6

Number of leases prepared and sent to Commissioner

Not Applicable

9

Rental rate charged—industrial: 

(specify method of calculation)

Land site rates vary according to location and based on % of capital value of land. Factory shells rates are based on open market rental values and vary with the type of package offered

10

Rental rate charged—other classification

(specify)—(specify method of calculation)

For commercial and retail spaces the rates are based on market rental values

12

Total Revenue collected, last available year (gross) $

In excess of budgeted figure

13

Total Revenue which should have been collected in that year

$33.0M

14

Months required for lease renewal

(comment on procedures typically involved)

3-6 months

1) Tenant exercises option to renew 2) Valuation done for several options 3) Offer made 4) Acceptance and payment 5) Lease prepared 6) Lease executed and registered by attorney.

15

Months required for lease assignment (comments)

Minimum time frame

once there are no breaches, consent is granted in a matter of days.

16

Months required for issuance of new lease (comments)

Depends on turnaround time for approval of survey plans by Director of Surveys.

17

Months required to complete a sale

(comments)

Freehold interest not sold. Leases on 99-year basis available. Time frame depends on length of negotiations, usually less than four months.

18

Months required to complete land acquisition (comments)

For lands vested by the State the process is usually drawn out. The company can acquire lands on the open market in which case the normal time frame for these types of transactions would apply.

19

Number of households squatting on land—1999 or last available year

Not Available

There are some squatters located at Valencia, Plaisance Park, Beetham and Sea Lots industrial estates.

20

Acres occupied by squatters

Not Available

21

Number of squatter households fully regularized since 1990

Not Applicable

We do not regularise since our lands are zoned for industrial/resort/commercial uses. However where there are large number of squatters, will hand over to the National Housing Authority.

22

Acres of squatter households fully regularized since 1990

Not Applicable

See above.

26

Are maps and plans available for all lands managed by Agency?

YES

Individual plans attached to leases. Subdivision plans filed. They are updated as required and the process is through a Commission Survey

27

What authority is vested in the Agency, by whom, when, for control over land?

The agency control over the land is through ownership of freehold tenure on landed properties

28

Does the Agency have access to land capability for establishing desired use? From whom?

YES

The Agency has access to land capability plans for establishing desired use

29

What are the procedures of the Agency for protecting the land resource base to assure sustainable use by future generations?

All agency lands are zoned for industrial and tourism activities with the highest best use concept

30

Does the Agency have capability for assessing the value of land? If not, from whom for what purpose? Evaluation of use and usefulness of this activity in the past.

YES

32

Does the Agency have the capacity to detect encroachment and to evict encroachers?

YES

33

What procedures are used to inhibit encroachments and to evict encroachers?

The Agency uses regular site visits used to inhibit encroachments and to evict encroachers

Indicator

Quantity

Comments

1

Total Area Managed (Hectares)

Not Available

2

Total Land Mgt. Budget $/year

Not Available

4

Number of leases, etc issued—non agrcultural

Not Available

6

Number of leases, etc., prepared and sent to Commissioner—non agrcultural

Not Available

8

Rental rate charged—residential (specify method of calculation)

10% of Salary

9

Rental rate charged—industrial:  (specify method of calculation)

Not Available

10

Rental rate charged—other classification (specify)—(specify method of calculation)

12

Total Revenue collected, last available year (gross) $

Not Applicable

13

Total Revenue which should have been collected in that year

Not Applicable

14

Months required for lease renewal (comment on procedures typically involved)

3 months

Subject to time taken for valuation

15

Months required for lease assignment (comments)

Unable to provide average time as time is dependent on processing at other state agencies

16

Months required for issuance of new lease (comments)

see above

17

Months required to complete a sale (comments)

This is the responsibility of The Ministry of Housing and Settlements

25

Months required to complete a sale (comments)

This is the responsibility of The Ministry of Housing and Settlements

27

What authority is vested in the Agency, by whom, when, for control over land?

Its activities are largely governed by the land policies of the Government.

The Division indicated that it experiences difficulty in locating these policies as they exist in a number of documents and Cabinet notes.

28

Does the Agency have access to land capability for establishing desired use? From whom?

Yes

It has access to land capability maps for establishing desired use through relevant agencies and finds them very useful

29

What are the procedures of the Agency for protecting the land resource base to assure sustainable use by future generations?

The agency uses the advice of relevant agencies on proposed use in order to protect its land resource base and assure sustainable use for future generations

30

Does the Agency have capability for assessing the value of land? If not, from whom for what purpose? Evaluation of use and usefulness of this activity in the past.

NO

The Agency depends on the Chief State Solicitor.  It finds the information useful.

32

Does the Agency have the capacity to detect encroachment and to evict encroachers?

The agency has no capacity to detect encroachment onto its lands and considers this the Responsibility of Ministry of Housing and Settlements

Indicator

Quantity

Comments

1.

Total area managed

Unknown

The Schedule of sites included in Act 25 of 1998 was compiled without an estimation of size in many cases. The sizes of these sites are only now being estimated on a case by case basis first visually and later through perimeter surveys.

2.

Total Land Management Budget per year

$7.5 Mn

This was the development programme allocation for 1999-2000 to cover squatter regularisation and development of new settlement sites.

3.

Number  of leases etc. issued – agricultural

-

Agricultural leases are not issued by the LSA but homestead leases???

4.

Number of leases etc. issued – non agricultural

250 Certificates of Comfort

- Statutory leases

- deeds of lease

600 allocations of vacant residential lots

Estimated number for the first 12 months of operations. 9 month total is 154.

Estimate for the first 12 months of operations based on the number of lots targeted for distribution in the first batch of allocations applications for which are currently being entertained.

5.

Number of leases/mortgage agreements sent to external sources for signature– agricultural

-

Agricultural leases are not issued by the LSA. All instruments of tenure are issued in house in any event.

6.

Number of leases/mortgage agreements sent to external sources– non-agricultural

-

The Chairman of the LSA signs all leases so there is no external delay apart from the time required to get the title information through the search.

7.

Rental rate charged – agricultural

-

Agricultural leases are not issued by the LSA. Rates for homesteads in land settlement areas have not yet been determined.

8.

Rental/mortgage rate charged – residential

$5 per square foot premium plus peppercorn rental

The LSA envisages charging a premium of approximately $5 per square foot to cover subsidized payment for raw land, infrastructure, surveying and legal fees. The proposed rate is based on an estimation of the average cost per lot regularised or developed by the LSA exclusive of administrative costs.

9.

Rental rate charged – industrial

-

These lease rates have not yet been developed although the LSA may allocate land for such purposes in Land Settlement Areas.

10.

Rental rate charged – commercial

-

As above

11.

Rental rate charged – community/religious

-

As above

12.

Total revenue collected last available year

$0.67Mn

Estimate based on a linear scaling up the 9 month total of $0.5 Mn. Collected from application and processing fees.

13.

Total revenue which should have been collected in 1997

$0.61Mn

Based on submissions made in the 1999-2000 development estimates.

14.

Arrears of revenue in 1997

Surplus of $0.06Mn

15.

Months required for lease renewal

-

Certificates of Comfort and Statutory leases issued by the LSA are not renewable. Deeds of lease are for 199 years so no terms of renewal have been contemplated to date.

16.

Months required for lease assignment

-

The LSA has not issued any leases to date. Given the in-house conveyance capacity of the Agency, however, assignment is expected to be a short transaction.

17.

Months required for issuance of new lease

unknown

This is yet to be determined since no leases have as yet been issued.

18.

Months required to complete sale

-

The LSA does not dispose of freehold.

19.

Months required to complete an acquisition

-

The LSA does not need to own land in order to carry out its activities and therefore is not engaged in acquisitions.

20.

Households squatting on land – 1999 or last available year.

30,000

Based on a conservative scaling up of a 1985 Ministry of Housing and Settlements estimate.

21.

Acres occupied by squatters

Unknown but a minimum of 5000 acres

The Schedule of sites included in Act 25 of 1998 was compiled without an estimation of size in many cases. The suggested figure is based on a conventional residential density of 6 households per acre.

22.

Number of squatter households fully regularised since 1990

0

The LSA came into being in June 1999. Whilst in some cases infrastructure was subsequently improved, in no case was any instrument of tenure apart from a Certificate of Comfort issued.

23.

Acres of squatter households fully regularised since 1990

0

As above.

24.

Number of squatter households in process of regularisation

15000 have begun the process towards gaining a Certificate of Comfort.

This is the number of households who have thus far paid for and received an application form for a Certificate of Comfort. Approx. 3000 have returned their forms to date. The deadline for receipt of forms is Oct. 28^th 2000.

25.

Acres of squatters in process of regularisation

Unknown but a minimum of 2500 acres

The Schedule of sites included in Act 25 of 1998 was compiled without an estimation of size in many cases. The suggested figure is based on a conventional residential density of 6 households per acre with the numerator being the number of households who have begun the Certificate of Comfort process.