A governance dispute has emerged on the island of Caye Caulker, after the local village council confirmed it was excluded from preliminary talks about potential changes to public access at one of the area’s most popular recreational spots, The Split.
The Caye Caulker Village Council (CCVC) confirmed this week that it has made resolving the access issue a top priority, following revelations that the site’s new management had already initiated discussions with local ferry service operators about access rules without first seeking input or approval from the elected local governing body.
CCVC representatives say they have already opened lines of communication with leaders of the Lazy Lizard establishment and other stakeholders connected to the property, and are currently coordinating a formal sit-down meeting to discuss the misstep and clarify roles moving forward. In initial conversations with management, the council made its position clear: any adjustments to public access at The Split require prior consultation with the local governing body before talks are held with third-party operators.
As of the latest update, the council notes that no access fees have been formally implemented, and no ferry operators have agreed to pay any proposed charges, even after being approached by the new management. The council itself was completely sidelined from these early conversations, leaving officials working to untangle miscommunication and clarify jurisdiction over the public access areas.
In a statement outlining its core stance, the CCVC emphasized that it has no plans to alter or limit the public’s longstanding access to two key zones: the western public street and access corridor, and the eastern beach area. Moving forward, the council says it will balance two core priorities: upholding the legal rights of local property owners, and maintaining open, collaborative dialogue between the governing body and private stakeholders to resolve the dispute amicably.