While works continue on the Wharf, access for vehicles and pedestrians will be limited. The Wharf will remain closed to all private vehicles, between the hours of 4pm and 8.30am, all week, unless otherwise authorised by Port Management. Pedestrian access will be granted during the same hours. No vehicles can be left parked between the Freight Terminal and the lower landing steps.
Port Management
SHG
23 July 2014
Executive Council met today 22 July 2014 with two items on the Open Agenda. The first item was the Bill for the Spear Guns Control Ordinance and Spear Guns Control Order. There is an existing Spear Guns Control Ordinance but in order for a prosecution to be successful an enforcement officer would actually have to witness someone using a spear gun during the closed season.
The amended Ordinance will create the offence of possession of a spear gun in the closed season in restricted areas – such as James’ Bay and Rupert’s Bay – for public protection reasons. The Council advised the Governor that this Bill for an Ordinance should be presented as Government Business at the next formal meeting of Legislative Council on 11 August 2014.
The second item on the Open Agenda was a memorandum to endorse the following definition of disability: “A disabled person is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”
This definition of disability has been endorsed by the St Helena Disabled Persons Society and Council was pleased to endorse it and discussed how this definition could inform positive public debate about disability. Further publicity will follow. Under Any Other Business, there was a discussion on the recent UK media reports about alleged abuse on St Helena. Executive Council reiterated its belief that these articles paint a totally distorted image of St Helena.
The Governor spoke of the widespread dismay among Saints and friends of St Helena around the world following the sensationalist UK media headlines of the past week. He said that FCO Ministers and officials were aware of the situation and shared the concern of Councillors that the damaging allegations should be addressed in a transparent and objective way. Recalling that in their 16 July statement Councillors mentioned that they would welcome any independent review, the Governor was pleased to report that the UK Government had given approval for the formation of an independent panel to conduct an inquiry into the allegations.
The Governor expected to receive more information soon on the composition of the panel, the terms of reference and the timing of the inquiry. ExCo welcomed this positive development as an essential step towards restoring St Helena’s good name. In the meantime, Councillors said their immediate concern was to reassure the community that, despite the irresponsible reports in the UK media, St Helena Government continued to take seriously its commitment to protect children and the vulnerable.
They had noted a recent statement from the Lucy Faithful Foundation which ‘condemns the sensationalist editorial lines (in the UK media) given the potential negative effect that such coverage is likely to have on efforts to tackle and prevent abuse’. ExCo undertook to give priority to ensuring that the good progress made in recent years on safeguarding children and the vulnerable should not be undermined by such grossly irresponsible journalism. The meeting concluded at 11.00am.
ExCo 22 July 2014
Derrie Yon of the Briars was awarded a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Creative Writing on 17 July 2014, after a 3-year degree course in the UK at Bath Spa University.
During her course, Derrie (pictured) studied numerous areas, including Gothic Origins and Innovations, Gothic Revivals, Modern Gothic, Poetry and Odes, literary criticism and plays such as those of Samuel Beckett and Arthur Miller. She also studied the works of Shakespeare.
Derrie said:
“The English Literature component of my degree has been one of the hardest but most rewarding challenges of my university experience. My experiences and communication skills have allowed me to gain a place on the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) at Bath Spa University, which will enable me to reach my goal of becoming a teacher.”
Her Creative Writing course included the study of Fiction, Prose Fiction and Professional Writing – a course designed to teach report writing, third sector writing, speech writing and other types of specialist writing.
Derrie commented:
“I thoroughly enjoyed this course and achieved high marks in most of the modules. I started my own novel, based on the legend of Fernando Lopez for my one of my modules. It was challenging but I produced work that I was proud off.”
Director of Education, Colin Moore, said:
“Derrie is a shining example to the young people of the Island who might aspire to one day become teachers. St Helena has some remarkably talented young people who will be the future leaders of the Island. Derrie has worked hard and has graduated at a very high level. On behalf of the Directorate, I would like to congratulate Derrie on her achievements.
“The Island needs as many as possible of our young people to gain internationally recognised qualifications, so that we can keep pace with an ever changing world economy. There is so much that St Helena can be proud of when we consider the achievements of our talented young students and graduates.”
Derrie concluded:
“University has allowed me to have the confidence to be in charge of my own future and make my own goals in life. I have grown as a person, met so many people and had so many experiences. It was a life changing journey at university and I will look back on it with pride.”
SHG
22 July 2015
St Helena Government is pleased to announce that the market response to the first phase of the Air Service Procurement process has been very positive.
The first stage of the formal process to procure an Air Service Provider to St Helena began on 13 June 2014. Interested parties were invited to submit various details about their organisation and outline proposals through a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Deadlines for the PQQ closed at noon on Thursday 17 July 2014.
The submissions received will now be reviewed over the coming weeks to establish the parties to be invited to tender for the air service to St Helena. This review process will be completed by 15 August 2014, when successfully pre-qualified parties will be issued with an Invitation to Tender document. Parties that have not pre-qualified will be notified at this time or earlier.
SHG is seeking to award a contract to a suitably qualified organisation to provide air services to St Helena, on a contract period of up to five years. St Helena Government expects to award the final contract for an air service provider in February or March 2015.
Further details will be provided in due course.
Notes to Editors
The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire and Information Memorandum have been available to interested parties on the dedicated website www.flytosthelena.com. All parties that had previously expressed an interest in providing the air service, along with an extensive list of potential air service providers, were notified of the procurement process launch. Advertisements were also placed with aviation publications.
SHG
21 July 2014
The Immigration Service would like to advise all persons travelling with children under the age of 18 to South Africa of a change in entry regulations. Parents may be asked to show an Immigration Officer a full birth certificate (including both parents’ names) for all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their own children into South Africa and has been introduced in an attempt to reduce instances of child trafficking through South Africa. This is not specific to St Helena – It applies to all children travelling through all South African sea and air ports. The revised regulations apply both to South African citizens and to visitors.
These changes are expected to be implemented on Wednesday 1October 2014. There is no change to Ascension Island or UK entry controls relating to children at this time.
For children born in St Helena, birth certificates can be obtained from the Customer Service Centre in Jamestown. For those children born in the UK, the following address may be used to order a replacement birth certificate: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp. Sufficient time should also be allowed ahead of your departure from St Helena to receive the certificate by post from the UK. A one day despatch service is available. Services vary in other countries.
Until Wednesday 1 October 2014, there is no country specific guidance for parents travelling with children to South Africa. However, single parents, or a parent travelling alone with their child or those travelling abroad with children for whom they do not have parental responsibility, should generally obtain an affidavit or letter of authority from person(s) with parental responsibility prior to travel. General UK guidance is available online at: https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad.
Further information is available from the Immigration Office in Ogborn House, Jamestown – telephone no: (00290) 22236.
SHG
21 July 2014
Reports last week in the UK media dismayed Saints here and around the world. The response issued by the five members of Executive Council on 16 July, under the heading ‘St Helena Island Falsely portrayed’, accurately captures the mood of Saints everywhere.
I am sure that the many good friends of St Helena around the world would subscribe to the views expressed by the Councillors.
As Governor of St Helena and Ascension Island, I should draw attention to two important points arising from the sensationalist UK media headlines and the 16 July statement by Councillors.
In their statement the Councillors said: ‘Councillors and Government here welcome any objective and independent review of our current arrangements’.
I want to highlight that remark which I strongly endorse. In recent years, we have openly welcomed and cooperated fully with several independent reviews. As in any small community, we recognise that external assessment is often the best option to establish the facts and, importantly, to withstand any suspicion of a lack of objectivity. The allegations made in the UK media articles about St Helena and Ascension Island are serious and we must now address them. To that end, we will consider urgently with our partners in the UK Government how to examine the allegations carefully, to establish the facts and, crucially, to do that in a way that will ensure confidence in both the process and the outcome.
The second point I want to stress is that, despite the UK media reports, anyone who is suffering or has suffered because of abuse of any kind, should still have confidence in coming forward to seek help from the Island authorities. As our Children’s Champion, Councillor Christine Scipio O’Dean, noted in the 16 July statement, ’We have taken great steps on St Helena (and Ascension Island) to protect our children and vulnerable people against abuse of any kind’.
That is right and much good work continues to boost resources and to strengthen procedures. The governments of St Helena and Ascension Island remain firmly committed to protecting children and the vulnerable in society.
Governor Mark Capes
20 July 2014
The consultation process for proposed paid leave and sick leave in the private sector will form the basis of a report that will identify the next steps forward. Both employers’ and employees’ opinions will be fully considered as part of this review.
The Human Rights Office will be open to assist with the consultation by taking individuals through the simple questionnaire provided. Private sector employees are urged to attend and make their views known.
The Human Rights Office will be open at the following times:
The Human Rights Office is situated at the rear entrance to No3 Main Street. Access can be gained from the road in between St James Church and No 1 Main Street.
A private sector open access event will also be held at the Jamestown Community Centre on Wednesday 23 July at 7pm.
SHG
21 July 2014
Young people on St Helena have been the first to trial and pilot a prototype learning device, called Storyteller, developed by the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, UK. This has now been tested at the Island’s three primary schools by Heidi Bauer-Clapp from the Department for Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts in the USA, who is leading the project.
Heidi commented:
“I have received very positive responses from students on St Helena. Even though this is a prototype device and when tested it does not always work well, the students remained enthusiastic and adaptable – especially liking the photos that were printed by Storyteller.”
Storyteller, shaped like a salad bowl, is activated by students shaking it. The device then prints text, photos, facts and transmits audio files, in specific chapters – in this case based on the slavery exhibition relating to St Helena currently on display at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. The eventual idea is that the device will be used by schoolchildren who are due to visit the museum, and actually at the museum, to give them a more comprehensive experience of exhibits.
Heidi said:
“The device allows students to be able to think about topics in advance and to better connect with the story told by exhibitions. This particular device is loaded with information based on St Helena’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and the findings in Rupert’s Valley.”
Feedback from the students included that the pace of issuing information could be quicker, and that you need to be able to go back to a chapter if you wish to hear an audio file again or concentrate on that one area. The design team will take these suggestions, and others from children on St Helena, into account when designing the final device – that will be linked to the internet and widely used at the International Slavery Museum.
Heidi has also been collaborating with Years 5 and 6 in St Helena’s Primary Schools on an exhibition which will be shown at the Jamestown Museum. Here, students will showcase what they have learnt about Liberated Africans, the Rupert’s excavation and on what archaeologists do. Opening times are as follows:
One picture is attached to this release.
SHG
18 July 2014
A new Code of Ethics for the Police is launched today, following extensive development and consultation. The Code – based on the UK Code of Ethics for Policing – outlines the standards of professional behaviour that the Police Service is committed to delivering in serving the community on St Helena and Ascension Island. The Code of Ethics is now available from the Police Station and on the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/police-directorate/.
The code sets out the standards of professional behaviour and values that are required of police officers and staff. These standards are summarised below, with more detail to be found in the full Code of Ethics document. Staff are expected to deliver:
Chief of Police, Trevor Botting, explained:
‘Our community deserves a service from the Police that engenders trust and confidence, is open and transparent and puts Public Service at the core of what we do. The new Code of Ethics and the values associated with it sets the bar high, but I am confident that the officers and staff working in the Police Directorate will meet and exceed that standard in our work.’
Policing Directorate
SHG
18 July 2014
Returns to St Helena after 20 years
Arriving to the Island on 7 July 2014 was new Chief Auditor, Phil Sharman (photo attached). Phil returns to the Island as Chief Auditor almost 20 years after completing his previous four year contract in a similar role.
Phil will be on Island for the next three years and as Chief Auditor his primary function will be to audit and report upon the accounts of Government and state-owned enterprises.
Phil explains:
“The Chief Auditor has a clear mandate to work with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Government to promote public accountability and consider whether value for money has been secured in the use of resources.”
An independent and professional public audit function is a fundamental of effective corporate governance across the public and commercial sectors. Supported by a team of nine, one of the key activities of the Chief Auditor is to provide a safeguard over public funds through auditing the accounts of Government and the public sector and undertaking Value for Money reviews, before reporting back to the PAC.
During his first week in office, Phil has been meeting with key colleagues in Government, including some of those he worked with 20 years ago. He has also discussed with his Audit team professional developments and what can be built on and adopted going forward.
Phil said:
“With both professionally qualified and staff undertaking studies, the Audit Office is building capacity and capability in response to the strengthening of audit and accounting standards internationally. There is clear commitment to developing effective audit and Parliamentary oversight across the British Overseas Territories, as underlined recently by the Joint Ministerial Council.”
Personally, Phil is very much looking forward to being on St Helena for the next three years. He commented:
“Both my wife and I loved our previous time on St Helena and have maintained an interest in the Island ever since. Our previous time coincided with the introduction of the current RMS St Helena and it was marvellous to sail with her again. It is a privilege to return to make a further contribution to the development of St Helena at another important moment in the Island’s history, as the Airport approaches in 2016.
“Professionally, I am delighted to find that Connie Stevens and Liz March who worked with me previously remain part of the team. Connie is now a professionally qualified accountant and member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and is Audit Manager which is great. We are investing in our team and the recent development of the St Helena Audit Service has been ably supported by John Gilchrist, who completes his contract as Audit Executive in July 2014.”
Since leaving the Island in 1994, Phil has held leading roles in public audit functions in the Turks & Caicos Islands, the National Health Service in Wales and Scotland, the UK Audit Commission and in New Zealand with the Office of the Auditor General.
Phil concluded:
“I have focussed my career in public audit and have been able to deliver audits around the world in many different sectors. The professional side of the statutory auditor role is vital but it’s how that role is delivered which makes all the difference. I’m really pleased to be able to bring my skills and experience back to St Helena and make a further contribution to the good governance of the Island”.
SHG
18 July 2014