Category: News

The St Helena Community College held their biennial Careers Fair at Prince Andrew School on Wednesday, 9 October 2019.

A welcome and brief remarks were given by Fair Coordinator, Cynthia Bennett, and Chairperson of the Education Committee, Councillor Clint Beard.

In HE’s official opening speech, Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook said:

“I am pleased to have the opportunity today, at this Fair, to welcome everyone here. I ask you to do one thing. To take inspiration, or if you have a job then a new look, in deciding your career options. There are an overwhelming number of opportunities, career paths, to choose from here on St Helena. I hope every participant at this Fair will resolve to make a decision, take a bold step, and feel empowered to pursue their dreams.”

In a busy hall both the public and private sectors took part  showcasing and demonstrating their various career opportunities , business activities and making presentations using videos and slideshows.

Businesses and organisations taking part in the Fair included: Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc, Saint Helena Airport Ltd, Sure South Atlantic Ltd, the Saint Helena National Trust, Enterprise St Helena, Bank of St Helena, Inside St Helena, External Audit Service, Penspen, Connect Saint Helena Ltd, Mantis Hotel, Chevening and various SHG directorates and sections.

Presentations were delivered by the St Helena Police Directorate, Children & Adults Social Care Directorate, Penspen and Enterprise St Helena.

Demonstrations throughout the day were delivered by the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service, and the Health Directorate.

A full copy of the Governor’s speech from the day can be read here.

#StHelena #Education #SHCC #PAS #Career #CareersFair

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SHG

10 October 2019

St Helena’s water consumption levels continue to rise above 1000 cubic metres per day. This consumption rate cannot continue if we are to maintain safe water levels for the Island.

It might appear that the reservoirs aren’t suffering as people see, for instance at Hutt’s Gate, the two reservoirs are about 65% full. However, this is due to water being pumped daily from boreholes at Fishers Valley and Borehole 5 to Hutt’s Gate. Getting the water from there to Red Hill is an issue where the Earth Dam is empty and the other Harpers reservoirs are dangerously low. The majority of the water in the Red Hill zone is in Scott’s Mill reservoir. Currently, reservoir volumes overall is 41%, but at this time of the year we would expect them to be 100% full which would then provide sufficient reserves for the summer consumption. Despite Connect’s pumping systems working well, it is essential that we all continue to reduce our water consumption.

Emergency Planning and Sea Rescue Manager, Simon Wade, appeals to the community to make every effort to keep water consumption to essential use only.

Simon said:

“There is just over 4000 people living on St Helena. We can make a difference by simply trying one of these water savings tips; if we placed a one litre water bottle in each of our toilet systems, and averaging that we generally flush our toilets twice a day, we could be saving up to 8000 litres of water per day, just by flushing toilets alone!”

The weather forecast for St Helena suggests that we will experience mostly cloudy days with occasional showers, but will become mainly dry with a few bright or sunny spells.

The public is reminded that we are currently under an Island-wide hosepipe ban. If you see anyone using water irresponsibly or notice a burst pipe or leak, then please inform Connect immediately.

Every drop counts, every action counts – save water now to be safe later

#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts

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St Helena Resilience Forum

10 October 2019

The UK Government’s global Chevening Scholarship Programme for study in the UK in 2020/2021 is now open for applications until Tuesday, 5 November 2019. 

To apply, candidates must meet certain criteria including:

• Having completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable entry into a postgraduate programme in the UK
• Having at least two years’ work experience
• Returning to St Helena for a minimum of two years following the course

Further information and guidance on eligibility can be found at: www.chevening.org/scholarships/who-can-apply/eligibility.

Past St Helena Chevening Scholar, Dax Richards, encourages potential future scholars to take advantage of this opportunity. Dax said:

“The Chevening Scholarship Programme is an outlet for anyone interested in accomplishing their career aspirations. I was fortunate to be given that opportunity by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to access the Scholarship that set me on the path to becoming a qualified Accountant. I would encourage anyone thinking about taking the step to the next level to apply for the Chevening Scholarship and benefit from the experience of studying and the support network associated with this Programme.”

Manager of the Governor’s Office, Kerry Lane, is able to provide advice and support locally. For more information, please call Kerry on 22308 or email her via: Kerry.Lane@fco.gov.uk.

#StHelena #CheveningScholarships #FCO

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SHG

9 October 2019

The monthly meeting of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) took place on Thursday, 26 September 2019, and the following is a summary of the main items discussed:

A new Ship Registry Policy for St Helena which achieves the action in the Sustainable Economic Development Plan to ‘update the Ship Registry Gazette to include a list of countries which is consistent with other countries in the Red Ensign Group’ was agreed. This updates a policy statement previously gazetted in January 2000.  St Helena has a long maritime history and being a part of St Helena’s registry, and flying the prestigious Red Ensign flag, helps to contribute to the Island’s sustainable economic development through the payment of registration fees and global marketing of St Helena’s brand.

EDC also considered the development of a new Investor Prospectus by Enterprise St Helena (ESH). The Investor Prospectus is a marketing document outlining potential private sector opportunities on St Helena and providing information on incentives available to support investment. It also includes a list of a number of SHG assets which will soon become available for the private sector to purchase. The Investor Prospectus provides options and inspiration for investors to target their savings on St Helena, giving clear instructions on how to set up a business, where that could be located, and in what sectors they could find opportunities. The Committee endorsed the publication of the Investor Prospectus. The Prospectus will be presented to Executive Council, whereby they will be asked to endorse the publication, and the release of the Strategic Assets described. The Prospectus is intended to be hosted online and a link to the document will be shared, once endorsed by Executive Council.

EDC endorsed a proposal made by the Commissioners of Currency for amendments to sections 16 and 17 of the Currency Ordinance 1973 on the allocation of Currency Fund surpluses and transfers from the Currency Fund General Reserve.  The proposal will ensure that as much of the annual surplus generated is allocated to the General Reserve to build resilience and security for the Fund rather than the surplus having to be allocated to the General Revenue of SHG, which is currently the case.  Secondly, the proposed changes will also give SHG the ability to contribute to the General Revenue of SHG, if it is deemed prudent and equitable to do so with the approval of the Governor, through a clear and unambiguous process.  The amendment legislation will now be drafted and presented back to EDC for final endorsement before presentation to Executive Council and Legislative Council.

ESH presented their Progress and Performance Report for August 2019, inclusive of brief updates.  The Business Development Team facilitated 152 engagement meetings leading to 14 Grant Applications approved to date with the value of the micro-small-medium-enterprise grants supported equating to approximately £31,000.  Four Agriculture Small Producer Support applications to a total value of approximately £13,000 was also noted.  The Team is also active with promoting the revised Grants Policy, and the community initiative ‘Grand Ideas’ in partnership with the Governor’s Office and Commonwealth International Programme Fund.  Works on the draft Investor Prospectus continues with the view of ExCo consideration during September, and the Investment Team continue to interact with local and international enquiries.  The Tourism Team undertook on-going local and international promotional activities reporting their Bird Fair exhibition in UK, 67 tour operators selling St Helena, the arrival of 45 tourists and 97 visiting friends and relatives for July, and the receipt of 557 enquiries and 77 walk-ins to the Tourist Office during August.  Activities surrounding the progress of Dark Skies Accreditation, and the planning of the upcoming Festival of Running and Cape to St Helena Yacht Race was also noted.

The Agriculture Development Officer gave a short update on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD) and ESH activities in supporting local egg marketing and sales. This included the following:

• Exporting Eggs to Ascension Island: Responses from Ascension are positive and a local business is proposing to coordinate the exportation of eggs to Ascension by working with a number of producers to achieve this. Discussions will be held with appropriate authorities to ascertain what concessions can be made with air freight to allow the export to be affordable to the Ascension community
• Promoting eggs on the menu at local institutes: Discussions were held with the staff of the Royal Princess Community Care Complex (CCC) and the Children and Adults Social Care Directorate who advised that the CCC had increased their consignment of eggs to include them in the daily menus
• World Egg Day: ESH is planning to promote this day on 9 October 2019. This includes promoting the following:
  • Our local eggs have enabled imports of low quality battery bred eggs to have been substituted, keeping money on-Island
  • Local production of good quality eggs helps food security for the Island
  • The large supply of eggs has enabled the price of eggs to be affordable. The whole Island has access to a staple food product, including those on low incomes
  • Eggs cooked well and eaten in moderation are a good source of dietary protein, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

 The Committee was given an update on feedback received during public consultation sessions on the draft Labour Market Strategy. The consultations will continue until 11 October and a full summary of feedback will be provided at the EDC meeting on 24 October 2019.

#StHelena #EDC #EconomicDevelopment

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SHG

7 October 2019

The Children & Adults Social Care Directorate, in partnership with the Health Directorate, held a third round of the ‘Day-Care Health Check’ at Barnview on Thursday, 3 October 2019.

A total of 23 clients from the Island community and residential homes were able to meet with staff from the Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Dentistry Sections to access health checks, health information and future health plans. Attendees were able to check their height, weight, blood pressure, BMI and blood sugar levels as well as engage in fun day-care activities.

Community & Residential Disability Manager, Nicolene Adams, commented:

“The aim of the ‘Day Care Health Check’ is to improve health outcomes for our disabled in community and residential settings by identifying new health related problems and managing existing ones. As combined services we are more effectively supporting people with disabilities to access and use primary health care. Continuous quality improvement is a core objective of an efficient and responsive health and social care service.”

#StHelena #Children&AdultsSocialCare #HealthDirectorate #AltogetherSafer #AltogetherHealthier

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SHG

4 October 2019

St Helena’s water consumption levels continue to rise. On 29 September 2019, water consumption levels rose to 1227 cubic metres. This consumption rate cannot continue if we are to maintain safe water levels.

Chief Executive Officer of Connect Saint Helena Ltd, Barry Hubbard, is appealing to the public to reduce their water usage:

“As winter draws to a close the chance of any substantial rain becomes less so we need to preserve the raw water stocks that we have. The recent restraint of consumers has been very helpful in stabilising the stock levels but normal summer consumption is 40% greater than these levels. If and when the sun starts shining we revert to normal use, we will very quickly exhaust our reserves. This is not a problem that can be solved solely by Connect, we all have a part to play which is why I thank everyone for their contribution so far and urge all water consumers to continue to use water wisely.”

The public is reminded that we are currently under an Island-wide hosepipe ban. If you see anyone using water irresponsibly or notice a burst pipe or leak, then please inform Connect immediately.

Connect Saint Helena continues to pump water from Chubb’s Spring and Hutt’s Gate to Red Hill to replenish stocks in this area.

Every drop counts, every action counts – save water now to be safe later

#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts

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St Helena Resilience Forum

4 October 2019