The Emergency Planning Department would like to advise the public that heavy winds are forecast for St Helena on Wednesday, 18, and Thursday, 19 September 2019, with wind speeds of 30 to 40 knots and gusts up to 60 knots.
Wind speeds might differ at different locations around the Island.
These conditions are expected to subside on Friday, 20 September 2019.
All boat owners are advised to ensure their moorings are secured at all times.
SHG
17 September 2019
St Helena’s water consumption levels on 11 and 13 September were less than 1000 cubic metres – the consumption rate required to sustain a safe level of stored water on the Island.
The Island’s reservoir levels have increased by a very small percentage over the last week, but this is primarily due to the public significantly reducing their consumption rates. The public is commended for their efforts to reduce consumption.
Despite some recent rainfall, the surface water runoff entering the reservoirs remains very low and will not be enough to maintain a safe volume of stored water if consumption rates increase. It is therefore very important that we continue to cut down our water usage to essential use only.
Isolated showers are forecast for the coming days, but this will not be enough to see the desired effects on the reservoir levels. At least two weeks of continuous meaningful rainfall is needed to make a positive difference in reservoir levels.
Connect Saint Helena (CSH) continues to pump water from Chubb’s Spring and Hutt’s Gate to Red Hill to replenish stocks in this area.
Remember, 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 CSH immediately.
Please see the following leaflet from CSH on water saving tips: Water Saving Leaflet
Every drop counts, every action counts – save water now to be safe later.
#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts
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St Helena Resilience Forum
17 September 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.
For the 2020/2021 programme, courses will commence in September 2020. The scholarship offers full financial support and allows candidates to gain access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.
Past St Helena Chevening Scholar, Tracey Williams, encourages potential future scholars to take advantage of this opportunity. Tracey said:
“The Chevening Scholarship was a life changing opportunity for me. In addition to gaining a formal qualification, the wealth of experience gained from living and studying in the UK has given me countless opportunities. I would certainly recommend this Scholarship to anyone thinking about studying in the UK.”
Further information about the Chevening Scholarship Programme can be found on the Chevening website: www.chevening.org, through which applications should also be submitted.
To apply, candidates must meet certain criteria including:
Further information and guidance on eligibility can be found at: www.chevening.org/scholarships/who-can-apply/eligibility.
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
17 September 2019
Executive Council met today, Tuesday 17 September 2019, to discuss one item on the Open Agenda. A number of people sat in the public gallery for this item.
Executive Council sitting as the Planning Authority approves Outline Development Permission with conditions to build a new prison and custody building on the land in Bottom Woods as recommended by the Land Development Control Authority (LDCA)
The proposed Prison development is to provide a new prison centred around 26-single occupancy cells, in a single storey block configured in a cross shape, together with associated rooms to provide: education, rehabilitation, training, medical room, sports, healthcare, worship, kitchen, recycling, storage, visiting, administration works, horticulture and security.
The site will take up 10% of the area in Bottom Woods with the enclosed built development taking up 5.5% or 5.20 acres.
Outline Development Permission approves in principle the proposed development subject to a number of conditions. Following a presentation by the Chief Planning Officer, Executive Council was content to approve Outline Development Permission with the following amendments made to the conditions:
Members noted that the existing Prison and Police Custody Suite located in Jamestown is not fit for purpose as identified following visits and advice from the FCO Prison Adviser. The current conditions and facilities at the Prison are substandard and the need for a new prison is undeniable and long overdue.
Council was satisfied that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which identified what mitigations need to be taken to reduce environmental impact during both the construction and operations process of development, was adequately undertaken and that potential impacts, for both the construction and operations phases, have been properly assessed and should be translated into planning conditions as part of the process for full development permission.
Council was keen to understand if the Chief Planning Officer was absolutely satisfied with the issues raised in the one representation received during the public consultation on the revised EIA on the development application. The Chief Planning Officer advised Members that the representation received did not raise any planning or environmental issues but rather challenged past processes and officer assessment related to the proposed development application and the reports. Members were therefore assured by the Chief Planning Officer that the representation received had been properly dealt with and the application submitted was valid. Further details on the proposed Prison development and background to the project will be provided in a separate press release.
Clarity was asked for on the proposed design and Council was advised that the technical issues raised, including addressing treatment of sewage, will be included in the detailed application for full development permission which will come before ExCo for approval in due course.
ExCo
17 September 2019
A Bye-election to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council (following the recent resignation of Kylie Hercules on 31 August) will take place on Wednesday, 27 November 2019.
To vote in the Bye-election or to stand for election to Legislative Council your name must be on the Register of Electors.
A window of opportunity is being given to members of the public whose names are not included in the Register of Electors dated 1 July 2019 to have their names added to the Register. Persons wishing to take part in the Bye-election and whose names are not yet on the Register of Electors, should make an application to the Registration Officer on the prescribed form by 4pm on Friday, 20 September 2019.
Forms can be obtained from the Registration Officer at the Castle (tel: 22470) or from the Post & Customer Services Centre. The forms can also be downloaded from the SHG website via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/forms/.
Remember – you can only apply to be registered if you are:
#StHelena #Bye-Election #RegisterOfElectors
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SHG
17 September 2019
Three Firefighters from the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service (SHF&RS) – Watch Manager David John, Firefighter Ashley Clingham and Firefighter Christopher Wade – recently departed the Island to undertake overseas training at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh UK.
David will be studying for qualifications in RTCI (Road Traffic Collision Instructor), Fire & Rescue Service (F&RS) Incident Commander Level 1, Hazmat First Responder, Fire Safety and Fire Risk Assessment, and Practical Fire investigation.
Ashley will be studying for qualifications in RTCI (Road Traffic Collision Instructor), Hazmat First Responder, Fire Safety and Fire Risk Assessment and Fire safety and engineering principles.
David and Ashley will begin their training with the RTCI. With major developments in car safety over the last decade and a global shift towards the electrification of cars, today’s emergency crews face far greater challenges and complexities in extricating casualties safely from vehicles. This course will allow the SHF&RS to move forward and come in line with the UK Fire Services best practices.
The Fire Safety and Fire Risk Assessment course is designed to enable personnel to carry out fire risk assessments of the most complex risk workplaces and identify the range of fire protective and preventive measures required.
The aim of the Hazmat First Responder course is to provide learners (Incident Commanders) with the necessary knowledge, understanding and experience to attend incidents involving hazardous materials and to bring them to a successful conclusion or manage them in a safe and effective manner.
David’s F&RS Incident Commander Level 1 is designed for competent firefighters who are seeking to develop as an aspiring Initial Incident Commander. The course will expose aspiring Initial Incident Commanders to a range of operational scenarios both in the simulated and practical environments.
Ashley’s final course will be Fire safety and engineering principles which will introduce him to the principles of fire safety engineering.
Christopher’s first course is the Firefighter Development Programme. This eight-week intensive course will provide him with the foundation skills required to respond, prevent and adapt to the needs of the community he serves. The course sets the foundation for further development and a successful career in the Fire and Rescue Service.
The Practical Fire Investigator course, which will be both David and Christopher’s final course, has been developed and is delivered in conjunction with the College of Policing (COP) for both fire investigators and forensic investigators. The course provides both with the underpinning knowledge and understanding required for the role of a fire investigator and develops their investigative skills as a fire/crime scene investigator.
St Helena Fire & Rescue Service Watch Manager, Jason Lawrence, said:
“The service would like to wish David, Ashley and Christopher all the very best in their training. The skills they will gain will be invaluable to the service and will only improve the service we deliver to the community once their training is cascaded down to all staff.”
#StHelena #StHelenaFire&Rescue #AltogetherSafer #SHFRS
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SHG
17 September 2019
The following is a public announcement from the Roads Section:
The Roads Section would like to advise the public that the road from Mr Nigel Dollery’s residence, New Ground, to Sunny Side Junction will be closed from 9am to 3pm on weekdays between Monday, 23 September, and Friday, 4 October 2019. This closure is to allow the Roads Section to repair the retaining wall near Mr Joe Terry’s residence in Young’s Valley.
During this closure, only residents in the affected area and Emergency Services will be granted access. Appropriate signage will be in place. The diversion route for this closure will be via Sunny Side Road or Sapper Way.
The Roads Section would like to thank the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.
SHG
17 September 2019
https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh
Councillor Christine Scipio departed the Island on Sunday, 15 September, to attend the 6th British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference in Jersey to be held between 19 and 21 September 2019.
The conference, themed ‘The next 100 years’, will include a Steering Committee Meeting and various workshops on Diversity, Women in Tech, Sustainable Future and Political Art. The Jersey Student Committee will also host a workshop on the conference namesake, and a key note speech on ‘Equality, a roadmap for change’ will be delivered.
Councillor Gavin Ellick departs the Island this coming Saturday, 21 September, to attend the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) hosted by the Parliament of Uganda and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Uganda branch between 22 and 29 September 2019.
The 64th CPC will be one of the largest annual gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians and will explore the theme of ‘adaption, engagement, and evolution of Parliaments in a rapidly changing Commonwealth’.
During the Conference there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 37th CPA Small Branches Conference; 6th triennial Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference; 64th CPA General Assembly; meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.
The CPC offers the prospect of the coming together of the CPA’s global membership to address the critical issues facing today’s Parliaments.
Councillor Ellick commented:
“I am looking forward to representing St Helena at the 64th CPC in Uganda. My aim is to learn, educate and network with delegates from around the Commonwealth.
“No doubt the discussions will be invaluable and I hope that I will be able to implement some of what I have learnt during the conference here on the Island.”
#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #CPA #OverseasConferences
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SHG
16 September 2019
A new draft Labour Market Strategy (LMS) has been developed for St Helena and is now out for public consultation until Friday, 11 October 2019.
In response to public interest in the draft LMS, SHG has scheduled an additional consultation meeting to take place at the Kingshurst Community Centre on Monday, 23 September 2019, at 7pm.
In addition, the public consultation meeting for employers scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 24 September, will now be held at the Museum in Jamestown. The meeting will begin at 7pm as previously scheduled.
The draft LMS is available on the Publications page of the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/. Hard copies are available at the Public Library and Customer Service Centre in Jamestown.
You can also share your opinions by completing a short online questionnaire via: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYQ5PR8 or by sending an email to the Senior Economist, Amanda Curry Brown, via: Amanda.Brown@sainthelena.gov.sh.
#StHelena #EconomicDevelopment #LabourMarketStrategy #SEDP
SHG
16 September 2019
In recognition of the United Nations International Youth Day, the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate’s Safe Haven Project hosted a special event to celebrate young people on St Helena at the Mule Yard, Jamestown, today, Friday 13 September 2019.
The event ran from 10am-3pm and was hosted for Year 9 and 10 students of Prince Andrew School.
The programme for the day included the Jamestown Amazing Race, Lunch, where students were issued vouchers for meals, drinks and a treat, novelty sports in the Leisure Park and an Apple Eating Competition. Young people who did not wish to participate in specific events were able to take part in other activities at the Mule Yard.
Medals and badges for students who took part in the various activities were presented by Youth Leader, Nick Stevens, and his team from New Horizons.
The speeches took place at the Mule Yard at 2.45pm.
Children’s Champion, Councillor Derek Thomas, spoke at the event and said:
“The youth are our future leaders and as the Island develops we will rely on our Youth to step up and form the skill base which we will need. Our education system is also expanding and providing greater learning opportunities.
“As the Children’s Champion I am pleased to say that I am working with the Head Boy of Prince Andrew School, Isaac Greentree, to try and re-establish a Youth Parliament. Once re-established this will provide a platform and a voice for our youth to properly engage with Elected Members and discuss topics which they feel will lead to shaping their future. With the support of my colleagues, I look forward to taking this forward.”
The event concluded with closing remarks by United Nations Safe Haven Project Manager, Nicolene Adams. Nicolene said:
“To all of the youth on St Helena, International Youth Day is a reminder that you are competent, smart, strong and motivated to do things you want. Each of you have a combination of high energies, intelligent brains and smartness – the formula for a successful St Helena.”
#StHelena #UnitedNations #InternationalYouthDay
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SHG
13 September 2019