Category: News

THURSDAY, 27 JUNE 2019

The monthly meeting of the Economic Development Committee took place on Thursday, 27 June 2019.

Senior Veterinary Officer, Joe Hollins, provided an update to members on progress with the imports of day-old chicks for the purpose of replenishing the Island’s stock of egg layers. He advised that of the 3000 chicks imported thus far, the Island’s egg-producing enterprises and smallholders are providing eggs from the first 2000 and the last batch of 1000 are just beginning to come into lay.

A further batch of 1000 chicks will be imported in August to meet the remaining demand from poultry producers. Thereafter, it is planned for the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD) to import additional batches of day-old chicks annually at planned intervals to keep the Island near self-sufficient for eggs.

Members were advised that a review of policy for the use and management of the SHG Agricultural Estate has been undertaken by ANRD. The key issues and recommendations arising from the review are being consulted on with agricultural producers via the Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Group.

The Committee discussed the need to be ‘cable-ready’ in advance of the fibre optic cable landing. In order to continue the work plan beyond complying with the European Development Fund (EDF) milestones, it was agreed for some public consultation to be undertaken to understand what the public’s expectations of life post-cable would be. Under the heading ‘realising the benefits of the digital strategy’ a workshop would be organised on Wednesday, 3 July, at the Museum alongside an online questionnaire available via: www.bit.ly/sthelenacable. The aim of this exercise would be to develop a vision of what the essential outcomes, following the cable landing, will be.

Enterprise St Helena (ESH) gave a brief update on the report presented for May 2019, during which it was noted that the refurbishment work to the Canister had progressed well and that the Tourism Office has now reopened as a result. It was noted that further work was due to be undertaken to pavements at the rear of the building, which would include establishing disabled access. It was also noted that the ‘Flash Sale’ on flights, alongside local accommodation discounts, appeared to be generating a positive response with 40 bookings made within a week of this offer being announced. Work continues on the Investor Prospectus, and also the review of ESH’s Grants Policy. The Island was also being promoted at Experience Africa in London.

#StHelena #EconomicDevelopmentCommittee #MeetingSummary

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SHG
4 July 2019

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, 12 June 2019.

It was agreed that the Disability Policy – to assess and support the needs of those within the community who require additional support to meet their basic needs – would be reviewed by the Director of Children & Adults Social Care and any proposed changes would follow due process. The current policy is being reviewed via the Social Security Review Working Group.

The Social Security Working Group reported continued progress on the complex piece of work to review the Social Security system and noted the need to feed any likely proposed changes into the Medium Term Expenditure Framework process which covers budget proposals for the next three years.

Work by the Immigration Working Group to review the Immigration Ordinance was likewise progressing well and nearing conclusion and is to be reviewed by an Immigration Official due to visit the Island in July. The public consultation exercise in due course is expected to take about two months.

Landholding forms part of the Immigration Ordinance Review but considerations regarding asylum are not included. However, the Committee noted that the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate is picking up on the Social Care aspects of this matter.

The recruitment exercise for carers was progressing well and to date four of the persons interviewed have been successful. The Committee supported the Directorate’s proactive approach to recruitment which will be ongoing and using all available media channels.

The Social & Community Development Committee consists of voting members Councillors Anthony Green (Chairman), Cyril Leo (Deputy Chairman), Kylie Hercules, Derek Thomas and Gavin Ellick and Non-Voting Members, Director of Children and Adults Social Care, Tracy Pool-Nandy, and Deputy Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis. The Committee Secretary for this meeting was Anne Dillon.

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SHG
2 July 2019

UPDATE

• Island-wide water restrictions see significant reduction in water consumption levels and slight gain in stored water
• Reservoirs levels remain dangerously low
• There is still no surface water runoff going into the Island reservoirs
• This is an Island-wide issue and until the situation improves we must all restrict our water usage to essential use only

 A great effort by the St Helena public has seen daily water consumption reduce by over 150,000 litres compared to Monday, 24 June 2019, when Connect Saint Helena Ltd (CSH) enforced Island-wide water restrictions. While this is encouraging, St Helena water levels remain dangerously low (see photo attached) and the public is urged to continue to keep consumption as low as possible.

There has been a very slight increase of 2% in stored water over the past week, due mostly to this reduced water consumption rather than an increase in rainfall. Despite this, over the month of June, the water levels in Island reservoirs have decreased by an average of 190,000 litres daily. This trend cannot continue.

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.

CSH is continuing to utilise other sources of water – tanks, boreholes & springs – and has seen an increase in efficiency with regards to pumping from the boreholes. They will continue back-pumping from Chubbs Spring to Red Hill and also bowsering from Jamestown to sustain available resources.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take great care in using our water and consumers are urged to reduce consumption wherever possible. St Helena residents, businesses and people who use water for agricultural purposes are also urged to exercise great care and restraint when using water.

Regular updates on reservoir levels will be issued to the public.

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
2 July 2019

During His Excellency Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook’s first visit to Ascension Island, he will be holding a Town Hall Meeting at the Saints Club in Georgetown on Wednesday, 10 July 2019, from 6-7pm.

This meeting will give members of the Ascension Island public the opportunity to hear about the Governor’s plans and ambitions for Ascension during his tenure and to put forward their views and discuss any issues of concern.

It is strongly recommended that as many people as possible attend the meeting as Governor Rushbrook is very keen to gain a better understanding of the issues currently being faced by both Ascension and its community.

The meeting will be followed by a drinks reception.

#StHelena #GovernorRushbrook #AscensionVisit #TownHallMeeting

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SHG
1 July 2019

INTERNET AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

• The internet is a powerful resource and can be used in a number of ways for a number of different reasons
• There are many dangers associated with going online that could result in unwanted personal information falling into the wrong hands
• People should be aware of how to stay safe when browsing the internet and/or Social Media

The internet is a hugely powerful resource that has opened up a new world to people of all ages. It is a place where people can shop, book vacations, catch up on world affairs, watch videos, communicate with friends and family, and even complete a professional qualification course. The possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, going online also puts people at risk to fraud, spam, viruses, and other online dangers.

People who are not aware of the hazards associated with the internet might fall victim to one of these fraudsters guiles and could end up being tricked into giving bank card details and other important personal information. There are also scams that look to take over people’s Social Media accounts or even copy them in order to use a person’s close relationship with family and friends for their own gain by asking for money or other items of value.

It is important to be aware of these risks and to be vigilant when going online. As part of an Internet Awareness Campaign, over the coming weeks St Helena Government (SHG) will be giving tips and advice on the best ways to stay safe online and things to look out for when browsing the internet and/or Social Media.

Here are some things to consider:

• If you receive a request to provide personal or financial information, take a moment to reflect and step back from the situation
• A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password, or to move money to another account
• Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text
• Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number
• If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it
• It’s okay to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it

Other topics to be covered will include tips and advice on Protecting Yourself from Online Bullying, Using the Internet Safely, Staying Safe on Social Media, and Keeping Your Children Safe Online.

#StHelena #StayingSafeOnline #InternetAwareness #AltogetherSafer

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SHG
1 July 2019