Category: News

A new draft Labour Market Strategy (LMS) has been developed for St Helena and is out for public consultation from today, Monday 2 September, until Friday, 11 October 2019.

The draft LMS is organised around three key goals:

• Resolving inequities, both real and perceived, in St Helena’s labour market
• Increasing the working age population on St Helena and
• Preparing the workforce to meet the vision laid out in the Sustainable Economic Development Plan.

The draft LMS was developed based on early meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and students at Prince Andrew School, individual consultations and a workshop attended by Elected Members, SHG Officials and representatives from the private sector. The programmes and policies proposed in the draft LMS were designed in response to specific concerns raised in these discussions.

SHG Senior Economist, Amanda Curry Brown, said:

“I am so grateful to everyone across the Island who was willing to share their experiences and whose brilliant ideas informed the draft Labour Market Strategy. The story of St Helena’s labour market right now is one of extremes: businesses in certain sectors struggle to find workers while workers in other sectors struggle to find jobs, there is a wide range of opinions about the role of immigration in building the workforce and both traditional industries and new technologies provide opportunities for economic growth. Policies and programmes must be carefully designed to meet the needs of the largest number of St Helenians and I hope the draft Strategy provides a good starting point for tackling these important challenges.”

Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, Councillor Lawson Henry, added:

“I am very encouraged with the result of this important piece of work on our draft Labour Market Strategy as it brings together how fragile the Island’s labour market really is and the challenges we face with labour shortages, an aging population and shrinking tax base.  The Labour Market Strategy also underpins a number of other policies and is likely to require possible interventions by SHG if we are going to achieve some or indeed all of the goals in our Ten Year Plan. 

 “I wish to commend the work already undertaken by our Senior Economist, Amanda Curry Brown, in putting together the draft Labour Market Strategy and I would like to encourage the key sectors to take part in the consultation process.”

The draft LMS is available on the Publications page of the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/. Hard copies will also be available at the Public Library and Customer Service Centre in Jamestown.

The Economic Development Committee will hold consultation meetings for all members of the public on Monday, 9 September, at the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre and on Wednesday, 11 September, at the Harford Community Centre. A public consultation meeting for employers will take place on Tuesday, 24 September, at the Jamestown Community Centre. All three meetings will start at 7pm.

Alternatively, you can share your opinions by completing a short online questionnaire via: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYQ5PR8.

If you prefer to respond to the consultation by email, please contact the Senior Economist via: Amanda.Brown@sainthelena.gov.sh by Friday, 11 October 2019.

#StHelena #EconomicDevelopment #LabourMarketStrategy #SEDP

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SHG

2 September 2019

• 2019 Island Health Survey data shows positive shifts in community health-related actions compared to 2018
• Noticeable efforts at smoking cessation, taking regular physical activity and reducing consumption of unhealthy food and drinks and increasing healthier ones 
• SHG Directorates and organisations and businesses across the community have been part of making this start to happen

The St Helena Health Directorate has released the results of their 2019 Island Health Survey. The data indicates that between April 2018 and May 2019 the community on St Helena undertook to make some positive shifts in their health-related actions and achieved some success in reducing the risk factors for the most prevalent chronic conditions.

Small adjustments which people themselves have taken to improve their health include efforts at smoking cessation, taking some more regular physical activity, and starting to make specific shifts to reduce consumption of unhealthy food or drinks and increase consumption of healthier ones.

SHG directorates and organisations and businesses across the Island have played an important role in making these changes start to happen.

Key headlines over the year between April 2018 and May 2019:

• The number of people smoking decreased
• The number of people wanting to quit smoking/trying to quit increased markedly
• The frequency and amount of consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks declined markedly
• Daily frequency of water consumption increased, and the number of people drinking the lowest amount decreased
• The number of people drinking fruit juice more frequently declined substantially
• Frequency and amount of people adding ‘extra’ sugar to drinks or food decreased
• The number of people eating ‘Energy-dense Nutrition-poor’ snack food most frequently (confectionery/chips) decreased
• The number of people considering they eat healthily the ‘majority of the time’ increased notably
• The number of people who never walk decreased markedly; and the number of people who walk more than one hour weekly increased very substantially
• The number of young people doing some ‘other moderate activity’ weekly increased
• A substantial number of people shifted from previously categorising their health as ‘fair’ to ‘good’
• Fewer people felt they had ‘very little’ control over their health, and more people felt they had some control over their health

Chairman of the Public Health Committee, Councillor Derek Thomas, said:

 “The 2019 Island Health Survey forms part of the St Helena Health Promotion Strategic Framework. The focus for 2018-19 has been looking at opportunities to make healthier options easier and less healthy options less appealing or accessible.

 “The 2019 results show a positive move in the right direction and over time we will expect this to reflect both in the levels of chronic disease on-Island and also the quality of life of people who have been diagnosed with chronic conditions.

 “This is just the start. To make a difference to the Island’s health we need to continue this approach and it needs the whole community to continue to play their part – at home, at work and in what their organisation does.”

The majority of areas showing the start of positive shifts require continued and further measures of work. For example, to ensure people quitting smoking can stay quit, further improving the supply of alternative non-sugar drinks and increasing water consumption to replace sugary drinks and fruit juice, and broadening reach so that sections of the community that are slower to adopt changes can benefit.

Further priorities to be addressed will be fruit and vegetable consumption allowing the community to access affordable fresh produce.

Phase 2 work of the Health Promotion Strategic Framework (HPSF) is ongoing throughout 2019 and a new HPSF will commence in early 2020 and will be most effective with the continued support and contributions from people from all parts of the Island.

#StHelena #HealthDirectorate #PositiveShifts #AltogetherHealthier #HealthPromotion #HPSF

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SHG

30 August 2019

From Tristan da Cunha, Riann Repetto and Kelly Swain, undertook a training visit with the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD) between April and August 2019.

Riann worked with the Veterinary & Livestock Section to gain veterinary training and experience in preparation for his role on Tristan da Cunha as their Veterinary Officer. Riann was exposed to all aspects of the veterinary work on-Island from farm to domestic animals.

Kelly’s line of work is in horticulture and while on-Island she undertook work experience with the Conservation, Farmers Support, and Biosecurity sections. Kelly also spent some time working with the private sector.

Riann commented:

“I had a good time training on St Helena. I found the training to be very beneficial and the people I trained with were the best as they were very kind and helpful.”

Kelly added:

“The time I worked for ANRD was incredible and hopefully will become beneficial to me back home. The overall experience was great, but most of all the people were friendly and kind. This is the first time for me to take part in training on St Helena and was the best decision I made. I love the place and hope to be back soon.”

Acting Director of Environment, Natural Resources & Planning (ENRP), Darren Duncan, concluded:

“Hosting the training and exposure visit for Riann and Kelly has been a real pleasure for the ANRD staff involved and it’s just as rewarding to know that both have enjoyed their time with us and their training will be beneficial on their return to Tristan.

“Regional co-operation through collaborative working relationships and capacity building are important to the ENRP Directorate and we are always happy to facilitate the transfer of skills and learning between the islands whenever the opportunity arises to do so.”

#StHelena #Tristan #ANRD #Training

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SHG

29 August 2019

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, 14 August 2019.

Updates from the Equality & Human Rights CEO/Commissioner included:

• The Commission’s Annual Report will be published soon
• 70% of the Commission’s case work from last year had been closed
• The majority of complaints received under the heading Police & Prison over the past year relates to the Police Directorate and is being addressed. Complaints included the execution of searches with and without warrants, the length of time phones and IT equipment may be held, the use of drones for surveillance and the issuing of Tasers to most Police Officers
• The highest number of complaints were private sector employment and benefits issues. The Commission will continue to focus on these this year. It was also noted that the latter will also be incorporated in the review of the Social Security system which should address most of the issues
• The theme for this year’s work by the Commission is ‘Disabilities including Equal Access to Work & Training’ to address issues around disability etc.

The continued non-compliance on employment matters by some sections of the private sector was discussed with the CEO and a series of measures were agreed which the Committee will now take forward.

Work towards having the Immigration Amendment legislation in place by the end of 2019 continues to progress. The public will be consulted on the draft legislation. A draft policy for endorsement on proposed changes is intended to be brought to Committee in September. A request was also made for the Immigration Control Board to consider disclosing to the public the basis of their decision making.

The Committee was also pleased to hear that the review of the Social Security Ordinance was nearing completion and that a report with recommendations would be submitted to the Committee soon.  The public will also have an opportunity to comment on the proposed Amendment legislation at a later stage.

The Committee awaits updates from SHG on the work they have undertaken on Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

A list of key new legislation was discussed and updated so that Council as a whole can agree overall priorities that can be undertaken by current support resources. These included:

• Adults Welfare Legislation that outlines the social care responsibilities to vulnerable adults
• Health & Social Care Bill that outlines the responsibilities of the Health Directorate and the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate to vulnerable adults
• Asylum Bill that outlines how somebody claiming Asylum on St Helena will be supported should the need arise.

Updates from the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate included:

• The Directorate continues to make great strides towards recruitment by way of the CARE Campaign which is proving very successful
• The United Nations International Youth Day will be celebrated on St Helena on 13 September; a number of Directorates and individuals have pledged their time to this and it is hoped that the events will be successful in celebrating our youth on St Helena
• The Fostering campaign was launched with great success. This is a significant achievement and will hopefully bring better results for any future looked after children on St Helena.

The Social & Community Development Committee were voting members, Councillors Anthony Green (Chairman), Cyril Leo (Deputy Chairman), Kylie Hercules, Derek Thomas and Gavin Ellick and Non-Voting Members, Acting Director Children and Adults Social Care, Victoria Kellett, and Acting Deputy Chief Secretary, Lindsay Shankland. The Committee’s Secretary is Nicole Plato.

#StHelena #SCDC #MeetingSummary

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SHG

29 August 2019

A special meeting of Executive Council took place on Tuesday, 27 August 2019, for Council to discuss two important items of business under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).

Council approves EDIP Year One Micro-Projects

On 23 July 2019 Executive Council approved a budget allocation of £150,000 for Year One Micro-Projects. This budget will be used for projects that can be implemented relatively quickly with a low total cost (i.e. £50,000) or less and which directly support strategic economic development goals or have the potential to improve future infrastructure investments.

At the meeting Council approved three proposed projects under this budget totalling £101,000:

• Solar Street Lights – Jamestown
• Public Toilet Upgrades – Jamestown, Ladder Hill, Longwood Avenue, Half Tree Hollow
• Costings for Refurbishment of Napoleonic Heritage Sites (SHG’s contribution to the 2021 Vision for the Napoleon Bicentenary)

Members recognised the importance of keeping up momentum under the EDIP and acknowledged that upgrades to the solar street lighting and public toilets will not only have positive public impacts but will also have distinct benefits for the Private Sector in terms of the actual work being carried out.

Members were keen that good value for money should come from these projects. They were reassured that all contracts will be tightly monitored and completed by the end of this Financial Year.

It was also agreed that the remaining £49, 000 under the micro-projects budget should be utilised effectively and Councillors should be involved in the prioritisation of proposed projects.

Executive Council approves Phase Two of the EDIP Year One Programme

 Council approved the following two projects under Phase Two of the EDIP totalling £4.0 million over two years:

• Rockfall Protection: Rupert’s Valley and Jamestown (including Maldivia)
• Rupert’s Development – Technical Assistance

All Members recognised the importance of getting Rupert’s operational as soon as possible and recognised that these projects would go some way in achieving a better outlook for Rupert’s.

Members voiced concerns about the additional work that would be required to fully utilise the Wharf for cargo handling. Council was reassured that implementation of works on a container handling area would be progressed for Year Two of the programme.

Indirect benefits to the Private Sector from the rockfall protection work were also noted, including spending on the Island by contractors, utilising accommodation, and vehicle hire, and also creating jobs for Islanders.

The public will be kept informed of development on each of these projects.

The meeting ended at 3.50pm.

ExCo

27 August 2019

St Helena Island is currently under an Island-wide hosepipe ban enforced by Connect Saint Helena (CSH) on Monday, 24 June 2019.

Applications for Agricultural exemptions can be made to CSH and producers are reminded that exemptions granted to them are for water use on existing crops. Any new plantings might not be eligible for an exemption and is therefore undertaken at producers’ own risk. For further information please contact CSH or Agricultural Development Officer, Andrea Timm, via email: andy.timm@sainthelena.gov.sh.

CSH are continuing to pump water from Chubb’s Spring and Hutt’s Gate to Red Hill to replenish stocks in this area.

The raw water catchment at Osbornes in St Paul’s is completely dry (see photos attached) and there has not been any surface run off in this area since March 2019. This water catchment is normally one of the main sources of surface water for the Red Hill reservoirs producing, on average, 90 cubic metres per day.

The Island’s water stocks remain low with no significant rainfall forecast. There is just 34 days of storage volume remaining and the current stored water volume remains at 32.5%.

 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

27 August 2019