Category: News

The monthly meeting of the Education Committee took place on Wednesday, 21 August 2019.

Returning Scholarship students – David Clarke, Jordan Clingham and Kyle Shoesmith – who had all passed their degree programmes with first class honours were invited to the meeting where they gave feedback to the Committee on their experiences while studying in the United Kingdom.  All three highly commended the opportunity awarded to students to study abroad through scholarships and also highlighted some areas for possible improvement. The Committee was informed that there was no real incentive for students to return to the Island after completing university except that they were bonded. It was recommended that a road map outlining progression prospects at work on the Island for university graduates be developed. The students urged the Education Committee to encourage graduates to take the option of spending an extra year in the United Kingdom upon completion of degree programmes in order to gain work experience, which is an essential component to their career development and work delivery on the Island. They also felt it was important for outgoing students to be practically exposed to their chosen field of study on the Island prior to leaving for university, urging the Education Committee to assist students to get this exposure within local companies.

The recently recruited Educational Psychologist, Margaret Banks, made a presentation to the Committee highlighting some of the methods she intend to employ in working with children and young people on the Island to improve their socio-economic outcomes. Margaret will start work next term at Prince Andrew School and comes at a time when the Directorate is in great need of her expertise.

#StHelena #Education #MeetingSummary

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SHG

10 September 2019

St Helena Government is currently seeking views from the public on a Policy Statement for Management of St Helena’s Fisheries and a Policy for the Licensing of Fishing Activities in St Helena’s Waters. Public Consultation closes on Friday, 13 September 2019.

Two consultation meetings targeted to the different stakeholder groups will take place as follows:

• Recreational fishing meeting:

Canister Conference Room (upstairs) on Wednesday, 11 September 2019, at 4.30pm

• Drop-in surgery for the public to ask questions/discuss documents:

Essex House Conference Room on Thursday, 12 September 2019, from 3pm to 6pm

Electronic copies of the draft policies can be found on the Publications page of the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/.

Hard copies are also available from the Scotland and Essex House Office Receptions. Further information can be obtained from the Senior Fisheries Officer, Gerald Benjamin, on tel: 24724 or email: gerald.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Please send your comments to Gerald Benjamin via the above email address by 4pm on Friday, 13 September 2019.

A summary of all feedback received through this exercise will be provided to the Economic Development Committee for their consideration as part of the process of updating the policies and their recommendation for adoption.

 SHG

9 September 2019

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh

In recognition of the United Nations International Youth Day, the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate will be celebrating young people on St Helena in a special event at the Mule Yard on Friday, 13 September 2019.

International Youth Day is celebrated each year on 12 August but due to the Island schools being closed on this day, St Helena’s celebration is being held a month later.

The event will run from 10am – 4pm for Year 9 and 10 students of Prince Andrew School.

The programme for the day will include:

• Jamestown Amazing Race
• Lunch, where students will be issued vouchers for meals, drinks and a treat
• Novelty Sports in the Leisure Park
• Hotdog Eating Competition

Young people not wanting to participate in specific events will be able to take part in other games in the Mule Yard.

The presentation of medals and badges and speeches will take place at the Mule Yard at 3pm. Members of the community may join for the closing speeches.

#StHelena #UnitedNations #InternationalYouthDay  

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SHG

4 September 2019

St Helena’s water consumption levels on 30 and 31 August and 2 September reduced to less than 1000 cubic metres. On 2 September, the water consumption levels were 865 cubic metres. This is the consumption rate that is required to sustain a safe level of stored water on the Island and all residents are commended for their efforts in reducing their water use to reach this target.

To preserve our precious resource it is important that we continue to cut down our water use to essential use only. Despite some recent rainfall, surface water runoff has not increased, meaning there has not been enough rain to runoff into the reservoirs. At least two weeks of continuous meaningful rainfall is needed to make a positive difference in reservoir levels.

St Helena’s winter period is between June and September and this is normally the time when the Island experiences the most rainfall.

The total rainfall for August 2019 was 35.4mm compared to August 2018 when there was 106.0mm. The total amount of rain for this August is also below the August monthly average of 59.0mm for the past 19 years. NB: All data collected is specific to Bottom Woods, MET Office.

It is forecast that there will be further showers for the next few days but it will become mainly dry by the end of the week with no heavy or prolonged rain in the coming weeks.

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, if you see anyone using water irresponsibly or notice a burst pipe or leak, then please inform CSH immediately.

 Every drop counts, every action counts – everyone must save every drop of water possible.

#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts  

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St Helena Resilience Forum

4 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. 

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.

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.

Further information about the Programme can be found on the Chevening website: www.chevening.org, through which applications should also be submitted.

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@sainthelena.gov.sh or Kerry.Lane@fco.gov.uk

Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  The Chevening Programme makes awards to outstanding individuals with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at UK universities.  These are usually one year long master’s degree courses.

#StHelena #CheveningScholarships #FCO

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SHG

3 September 2019

St Helena Government is seeking views from the public on a Policy Statement for Management of St Helena’s Fisheries and a Policy for the Licensing of Fishing Activities in St Helena’s Waters.

For many in the community, eating seafood or catching their own fish is traditional to the St Helena way of life.  Our fisheries are important contributors to the Island’s economy and creates local employment opportunities and a supply of fresh local produce.  Fisheries resources play a vital role for commercial fishing enterprises and is important for customary recreational boat and spear fishing and sports fishing. Implementation of Fisheries Management and Fishing Licensing policies are planned to help ensure our fishing activities and the fisheries upon which such activities depend is managed within a sustainable framework that provides benefits for current and future generations.

Fishing licensing is intended to bring fishing into line with other sectors benefitting through use of the Island’s natural resources. Licensing of all boat fishing and all spearfishing activities is being proposed with related fish catch limits. Licensing is not being proposed for rock-fishing as this is recognised as being a traditional form of fishing activity which fisheries stakeholders would like to encourage in its current form, providing fish catches are for personal consumption and not for sale.

A reform of fisheries legislation is planned to provide a robust regulatory basis for management of the fisheries and both policies will help to inform and provide direction for the necessary changes to the legislation.

Consultations are being targeted to the different stakeholder groups during the consultation period and dates for the public are as follows:

• Recreational fishing meeting:

Canister Conference Room (upstairs) on Wednesday, 11 September 2019, at 4.30pm

• Drop-in surgery for the public to ask questions/discuss documents:

Essex House Conference Room on Thursday, 12 September 2019, from 3pm to 6pm

Electronic copies of the draft policies can be found on the Publications page of the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/. Hard copies are also available from the Scotland and Essex House Office Receptions. Further information can be obtained from the Senior Fisheries Officer, Gerald Benjamin, on tel: 24724 or email: gerald.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh

The closing date for responses is 4pm on Friday, 13 September 2019.  Please send your comments to Gerald Benjamin via the above email address.

A summary of all feedback received through this exercise will be provided to the Economic Development Committee for their consideration as part of the process of updating the policies and their recommendation for adoption.

#StHelena #Fisheries #SEDP #EconomicDevelopment

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SHG

2 September 2019

The monthly meetings of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the  Highways Authority took place on Thursday, 15 August 2019.

Signage to warn drivers of the blind bends on Field Road was discussed following reports made by several road users to the Police Directorate. It was noted that signs have been posted at the top and bottom of Field Road to warn drivers of this issue.

The misuse of the disabled parking spaces in Jamestown and parking on double yellow lines were once again raised and the Police Representative gave assurance that this would be addressed in their regular programme on both Radio Stations.

A request for street lighting in the car park at Ladder Hill adjacent to Rosie’s Taste4Life was discussed following reports of vehicle damage and anti-social behaviour in this area.   A security or movement detector light will be installed when one becomes available.

The Roads Inspector informed members that slurry trials have proven to be very successful for the Roads Maintenance Programme and the Roads Management team has agreed for its continued use in all areas.

Funding for Community and District roads was deliberated and it was agreed that this year’s allocation will be used to complete jobs that had been funded in the previous year. This approach will reduce the number of new applications for future funding.   Recipients of this funding will be notified by letter soon and they should liaise with the Roads Manager and Roads Inspector to ensure that these funds will be spent within the required time frame.

The public consultation period for the excision of lands from the SHG Forest Estate deemed to be unproductive for forestry purposes has been completed and the lands have now be transferred from the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division to the Crown Estates. These lands will be assessed by Crown Estates staff and will be advertised to the general public for future development.

The Acting Director of Infrastructure and Transport presented a paper addressing Social Housing on St Helena and the barriers facing first time buyers or builders.  SHG has not constructed any additional Government Landlord Housing for several years and with the increased number of applications on the current waiting list the allocation of the current stock has now become almost unachievable. Several propositions were tabled in this paper and it is envisaged that some land will become available soon to enable private development of homes and the construction of several Government Landlord Houses.

#StHelena #ENRC #HighwaysAuthority #MeetingSummary

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SHG

2 September 2019