The SHCC would like to advise the public that their IT Suite has been closed from today, Monday 9 December 2019.
This closure is to enable essential maintenance works to be carried out.
The IT Suite will reopen as normal on Monday, 16 December 2019.
SHG
9 December 2019
The following is a Public Announcement from Port Control:
Port Control would like to advise the public that the area from Thompson’s Crane to the Landing Steps at the Jamestown Wharf must be kept clear at all times.
Currently, members of the public are parking in this area which poses a potential Health & Safety risk to the efficient operation of the Port especially during crane and reach stacker operations.
In accordance with the Harbourmaster’s powers under the Ports Ordinance 2016, the Harbourmaster may remove any goods, including vehicles that cause or are likely to become an obstruction or impediment to the proper use of any landing place.
Emergency Services will be able to access the area as normal.
Wharf users and the public are asked to ensure that they do not park their vehicles within this area at any time even when there are no cargo operations being undertaken.
The public is thanked for their cooperation.
SHG
9 December 2019
The monthly meeting of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) was held on Thursday, 28 November 2019.
The Chief Economist presented the Sustainable Economic Development Plan (SEDP) mid-year update report. The report recognised the strong progress in the last six months relating to Fibre Connectivity, the St Helena Research Institute, the Investment Prospectus, St Helena’s Ship Registry Policy, capital programme allocation, and waste management, amongst others. The full mid-year report can be found on the Public Information, Reports and Policies page of the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/publicinformation/.
The Chief Economist also presented two items related to the Digital sector.
The first was the draft Satellite Ground Station Policy. The draft Policy has been developed to licence Permanent Earth Stations (PES) and Receive Only Earth Stations (ROES). This was to assist the aspiration of developing the Satellite Ground Station sector, as outlined in St Helena’s SEDP. The EDC noted that this Policy would apply to existing amateur radio operators on St Helena, but the fees proposed were low and did not significantly vary from existing fees. The EDC endorsed the draft Policy for consultation. The draft Policy is available via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-consultation/ and responses can be provided via: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/St-Helena-Earth-Stations-Consultation.
The second item presented was the ‘Needs and Delighters’ paper which was developed after the ‘Realising the Digital Strategy’ public consultation in July. The paper outlined the public’s aspirations for digital developments on St Helena after the fibre optic cable goes live. EDC endorsed the paper as a true representative of public aspirations.
The Senior Economist presented the final draft Labour Market Strategy. She reiterated the changes that had been made as a result of the consultation, including sections to address the ‘here and now’, revisions in relation to immigrant labour, and changes to the relocation assistance offered to returning St Helenians. The EDC endorsed the Strategy, which will next be considered by Executive Council.
Enterprise St Helena (ESH) presented their Progress and Performance Report for October 2019, inclusive of brief updates. Particular mention was made regarding the amount of coverage that was achieved, both on and off Island, during the recent programme of events attended by Chief Executive for Economic Development, Dr Dawn Cranswick, and Director of Investment, Martin George. A presentation was also given by Dr Dawn Cranswick regarding the offshore programme of activity.
It was noted that the launch of the Investor Prospectus had generated significant interest, and that ESH were currently working with 24 live contacts. The Pitch to Plantation initiative had attracted four participants, and a Business Boot Camp had been held at the ESH Head Office to assist in the development of their business initiatives.
Further work to Main Street should be progressing in January 2020, including the replica fountain and also further disabled access. These works would be programmed around the two cruise ships that are due in January, namely the MV Artania (8 January) and MS Marco Polo (21 January).
ESH and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Division had jointly met with farmers through the Chamber of Commerce in order to discuss priorities for a future Agriculture Support Programme. ESH was also organising a Christmas Market for local small traders to be held on Friday, 13 December.
During the closed session, the EDC met with Private Sector Development Advisor at DfID, Mr Richard Boulter, who is responsible for overseeing the ESH Project. The committee was also presented with the proposed ESH Budget by Mrs Michelle Yon.
The Acting Director of the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Directorate took members through the Veterinary & Livestock Section’s proposal for support to livestock producers during this period of drought. Support will be provided through the provision of supplementary feeds (cubes) which will arrive on Island in December 2019. The feeds support to livestock producers will require registration via an application process which also involves an assessment of a producer’s grazing land and associated animals in order to determine the level of feeds support required.
#StHelena #EconomicDevelopmentCommittee #MeetingSummary
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SHG
6 December 2019
St Helena Government, Enterprise St Helena and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) are pleased to announce that St Helena will host the Commonwealth Digital Economy Forum 2020 between 23 and 27 March next year.
St Helena Government joined the CTO – the oldest and largest Commonwealth intergovernmental organisation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies – as an affiliate member earlier this year, and is delighted to have signed an agreement with the CTO to host this forum on-Island – the first ever forum of this kind to be held here.
Chief Secretary Susan O’Bey, who signed the Agreement on behalf of St Helena Government, said:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Digital Economy Forum 2020. The agenda for this forum is particularly pertinent for St Helena, as we move ever closer to the landing of the subsea cable which will unlock numerous opportunities and promote widespread digital usage within our society.”
Signing on behalf of the CTO, Acting Secretary General, Gisa Fuatai Purcell, added:
“I am delighted to have St Helena, a small island developing affiliate member of the CTO to host this very relevant event. Digital Economy is the opportunity for small islands to bridge the digital divide and isolation. Inclusive digital transformation helps isolated countries to adopt new methods of delivering information on education, health, agriculture, environment, tourism and above all improving the standard of living. Through E-Trade, small islands will enjoy new revenue through seamless marketing its best products in all fields to the rest of the world.”
The theme for the 2020 forum is ‘Shifting landscapes and trends’ with planned presentations and workshops to focus ona globally connected St Helena, Digital Economy, Broadband Usage, GDPR and Data Protection.
Hosting this event on St Helena brings with it a number of benefits for the Island, including increasing knowledge in this area, forging strategic partnerships, local upskilling, creating and extending networks and increased awareness of St Helena as a tourism and investment destination.
Head of SHG’s Corporate IT Section, Jeremy Roberts, commented:
“Being a member of the CTO affords St Helena the opportunity to become a trusted CTO partner. St Helena Government will also be in a position to benefit from key attributes, due to the fact that the CTO’s diverse membership spans developed and least developed countries, small island developing states and most recently the private sector and civil society.
“Key areas we can benefit from include Advisory services in national ICT policy development and implementation for universal broadband access, Cybersecurity, Regulatory environments and applications, for example e-education, e-health, e-agriculture and e-governance.”
Director of Investment at Enterprise St Helena, Martin George, concluded:
“Becoming a member of the CTO is an extremely valuable and resourceful opportunity for us as an aspiring ‘globally-connected island’. It is also a privilege and a proud moment for St Helena to host the CTO forum from 23-27 March 2020. The forum will present many opportunities for St Helena – awareness, education, and research to name a few, together with direct trade for tourism and hospitality and supply chains.”
Further details on the forum will issue over the coming weeks.
#StHelena #CTO #DigitalEconomyForum2020
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https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt
SHG
6 December 2019
Executive Council will meet on Tuesday, 10 December 2019, at 9.30am, in the Council Chamber, to discuss the following Open Agenda items:
These papers (ExCo Memos) are available online at the following link: http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/councils/executive-council/
Members of the public who would like to view hard copies of the ExCo Memos should contact Clerk of Councils, Connie Johnson, at the Castle on tel: 22470 or via email: connie.johnson@sainthelena.gov.sh
Elected Members serving on Executive Council are Councillors Anthony Green, Lawson Henry, Clint Beard, Derek Thomas and Russell Yon.
Non-voting members of ExCo are Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey, Financial Secretary, Dax Richards, and Attorney General, Allen Cansick.
#StHelena #ExCoMeeting
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SHG
5 December 2019
DAMAGE TO THE CASTLE WINDOW AND PICNIC BENCH AT ROSEMARY PLAIN
The following is a Public Announcement from the Police Directorate:
St Helena Police are currently appealing to the public for information regarding two incidents that occurred during last weekend.
Castle Window
Damage was caused to one of The Castle windows facing onto the Terrace. This occurred sometime late on Saturday evening, 30 November 2019.
One of the windows was significantly damaged and this appears to have been a deliberate and reckless act by individual(s) unknown.
Rosemary Plain
A picnic bench at Rosemary Plain, St Paul’s, was damaged between the evening of Saturday, 30 November, and the early hours of Sunday, 1 December 2019.
Detective Sergeant, Liam Fuller, said:
“The picnic bench has unfortunately been completely destroyed which will be a significant loss to those who legitimately use the area for recreational purposes. On closer inspection, the bench may have been struck by a vehicle driving inappropriately off-road. If anyone has any information or has seen a vehicle with unexplained damage from over the weekend please contact the Police Service.”
If you have any information relating to either of these two incidents, regardless of how minor it may seem, please contact the St Helena Police via email: emergencycontrol@helanta.co.sh. Alternatively, you can call tel: 22626 quoting reference HEHN5174 (Castle window) or HEHN5238 (Picnic bench at Rosemary Plain) to speak with a Police Officer of your choice.
SHG
5 December 2019
International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is recognised each year on 3 December, and is a day used to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
This year’s theme was ‘The Future is Accessible’ – meaning we must all, together, look toward a future where the barriers that stand in people’s way no longer exist.
In recognition of IDPWD, St Helena’s Active Participation in Enterprise (SHAPE), supported by the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate, organised a parade through Jamestown to celebrate and raise awareness of disability.
The parade started from Barracks Square on Tuesday, 3 December, at around 11am. Participants were dressed in and vehicles decorated in blue and orange. The colour blue symbolises support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disability, and orange symbolises the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The parade made a brief stop outside of the Standard Bar where participants sang two songs – ‘Love My Life’ by Robbie Williams and ‘This is me’ by Keala Settle. The public was encouraged to join in. Chairperson of SHAPE, Lolly Young, also gave a short speech. She said:
“Let’s take our wheelchair users for example, let’s stop and think for a minute, what is it that is impairing their lives? Is it the fact that they may have a parallelises? Is it that their only mobility is through the use of a wheelchair?
“If we pondered this thought, we would soon realise that the wheelchair is not impairing them, in fact it is liberating them, giving them the ability to move. So what then is the impairment? What then is disabling them? It’s the fact that they can’t access vehicles, use roads and streets, enter buildings. It is this that is the biggest barrier to them leading a full inclusive life. Sometimes it’s attitudes, or social views.
“So today, at least, let these colours be a reminder that if we all work collectively with the shared understanding and view that if we remove those environmental and social barriers the future will certainly be more accessible for those living with disabilities.”
Blue and orange merchandise, including candles, pom-pom key rings and mini hand washes, all handcrafted by SHAPE were on-sale during the parade.
The parade concluded at the Mule Yard where participants enjoyed refreshments and musical entertainment.
Community & Residential Disabilities Manager, Nicolene Adams, concluded:
“The Children & Adults Social Care Directorate wish to congratulate SHAPE management, staff and all participants on a very successful and enjoyable IDPWD. It was amazing and humbling all at the same time to witness participants on frames, in wheelchairs and others arm in arm parading proudly down the street of Jamestown echoing the words ‘I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am free, I love my life, I am wonderful, I am magical, I am me’. Thank you also to the family members and members of the community who joined with us in the celebrations for the day.
“This day affirms this well-known quote: ‘The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away’”.
#StHelena #IDPWD #SHAPE #C&ASCD
SHG
5 December 2019
St Helena has achieved a Credit Rating of BBB- (stable or Investment-Grade), from global credit-rating agency Standard & Poors (S&P). This results from a visit to the Island by an S&P team in October.
During their credit rating exercise here, at their request, the team met with a range of local business people, such as those in the retail sector, media sector and at the Bank of St Helena. They also analysed a significant amount of data provided to them including SHG’s statistics and accounts.
Chief Economist, Nicole Shamier, said:
“We want to thank both the S&P team and everyone who took the time to meet them whilst they were here and provide the evidence which enabled them to furnish us with this very good result. This document is a very useful record of where St Helena stands in the world as a place to invest and do business as well as complementing our Statistics and Economics evidence. Not only is St Helena ready and open for business, the BBB- rating means we are ‘investment-grade’ and therefore somewhere worth investing in.”
Gaining a Credit Rating is an action outlined in our Sustainable Economic Development Plan. The rating will assist the recognition of the St Helena jurisdiction amongst the International Banking and Finance sector. It also helps external investors understand more about the investment environment which includes political, financial, legislative and environmental factors.
S&P’s report is available on the SHG website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-information/
S&P also delivers Montserrat’s credit rating as well as other British Overseas Territories.
Further information can be found at: https://www.spratings.com/documents/20184/760102/SPRS_Understanding-Ratings_GRE.pdf
#StHelena #CreditRating #InvestmentGrade #SEDP
SHG
5 December 2019
On 19 November 2019 Executive Council approved two pieces of legislation aimed at modernising the Criminal Justice System on St Helena. These will be presented as Government Business at the formal Legislative Council meeting tomorrow, Friday 6 December 2019.
Rehabilitation of Offenders
One of the pieces of legislation due to be presented amends the way in which the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applies to St Helena.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applies to St Helena by virtue of the English Law (Application) Ordinance 2005. If the legislation to amend the way in which the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applies to St Helena is passed, the timeframes in which convictions become spent will be significantly shortened on St Helena and brought in line with the timeframes in which convictions become spent in England and Wales.
After a specific period of time has passed (the time varies depending on the sentence or disposal received) convictions are deemed to be spent. This means that the individual convicted, is treated as having been rehabilitated with regard to the specific offence. With some exceptions, the conviction for the offence is then generally not required to be declared, often including when an individual is applying for a job.
Recordable Offences
The second piece of legislation due to be presented, proposes to amend existing legislation, the Police and Criminal Evidence Ordinance 2003, to establish a criminal records database on St Helena which will generally distinguish between recordable and non–recordable offences.
If passed, the proposed legislation, which makes provision for the establishment and maintenance of a criminal records database on a statutory basis, will formalise and modernise the way in which criminal records are kept and disclosed on St Helena and the way in which vetting is carried out on St Helena. The proposal distinguishes recordable from non-recordable offences and if passed, it will prevent residents of St Helena potentially being disproportionately penalised for minor offences.
Generally, a recordable offence is any offence which could result in imprisonment. The appropriate test as to whether an offence is recordable or not, is whether the offence could result in imprisonment and not whether the convicted person was actually imprisoned.
A non-recordable offence is any offence which is not punishable by imprisonment. Based on the approach in England and Wales there are some exemptions to this rule, i.e. there are a number of offences which are not punishable by imprisonment but which are recordable due to the nature of the offence.
A recordable offence is recorded on the criminal records database and disclosed during vetting whereas a non-recordable offence may be documented but is generally not recorded on the criminal records database and therefore is not disclosed during vetting.
If this proposal is passed, the Governor in Council will be able to make regulations addressing the exemptions which will apply on St Helena, the details of how the criminal database will be implemented and maintained and the way in which information will be requested and disclosed. The approach will be based on the approach in England and Wales, including the exemptions which apply in England and Wales, with differences where appropriate to take account of local circumstances.
The aim of both proposals is to standardiseand modernise the criminal records database and to remove some of the obstacles faced by persons with convictions in order to enable such persons to be fully rehabilitated so that the opportunity for them to move on with their lives and reintegrate into society is enhanced. This is part of a broader Government objective to modernise the Criminal Justice System.
Both pieces of legislation can be viewed on the SHG website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/bills-for-an-ordinance/
#StHelena #Legislation #CriminalJustice
SHG
5 December 2019
The Rock Guards of the Infrastructure & Transport Directorate will be carrying out a controlled rock removal on the hillside above Sisters Walk, Jamestown, between 8.30am and 6.30pm on Sunday, 8 December 2019.
Buildings affected will include Thorpe’s Emporium, Sure Customer Services’ Centre, the Malabar, Consulate Hotel, Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc’s Main Office, Chad’s Shop and Essex House. Building owners and occupiers are being notified that the rear of these buildings should be evacuated for the duration of these works. Sisters Walk and Mundens Road will also be closed during this time.
Main Street will remain open to the public and appropriate signage will be in place.
The Rock Guards would like to thank the public for their cooperation.
SHG
4 December 2019