Category: Press Release Archive

Dr Corinda Essex this afternoon took the Oaths of Office for her new role as an Elected Member in the presence of His Excellency Governor Capes at the Castle.

Dr Essex now serves on Legislative Council following her win at yesterday’s Polls.

Dr Essex commented:

“I was quite overwhelmed by the result. In the discussions I had been having with people over the last couple of weeks I was aware that there was a tremendous amount of support amongst the public and so I was anticipating winning the election – but I certainly wasn’t anticipating nearly as many votes as I captured yesterday.

“I would like to say a very big thank you to all of those who voted for me and I look forward to working with them in moving issues forward on their behalf.”

Dr Essex previously served on Legislative Council from 1993 -1996.

SHG
13 March 2014

Dr Corinda Essex of Jamestown has been duly elected to serve as a Member of the St Helena Legislative Council.

Returning Officer Gillian Francis last night announced the results of Polling Day for the Bye-Election, held yesterday.

The total number of votes for each Candidate was:

Corinda Sebastiana Stuart Essex: 480
Brenda Elaine Moors: 60
Lionel George Williams: 39

The Count took place at the Castle from just after 8pm to just after 9.30pm last night.

In total 579 people cast valid votes. This represents approximately 25.6 % of those eligible to vote.

There were two invalid Ballot Papers.

SHG
13 March 2014

Executive Council met today, Tuesday 11 March, to consider five items on the open agenda.

The first item was an information paper on fuel prices implemented on 24 February 2014. This is now a standard agenda item following each change in fuel prices. It was noted that the price of diesel fell by 2 pence per litre and petrol by 4 pence per litre – both lower than the price of fuel a year ago.

The second item was the Wharfage, Warehousing and Customs Miscellaneous Fees Amendment Proposal.  The proposal was for an increase in charges relating to break-bulk cargo and its storage on the wharf after seven working days.  At present, a daily charge is set at 10% of the value of the break-bulk cargo for it to remain on the wharf beyond seven working days. The proposed increase to 25% of the value of the goods was agreed by Executive Council – to encourage prompt collection of cargo.

The next item was the Pensions (Amendment) Regulations, 2014. Tax and Pensions are complex issues and Head of Pensions and Payroll, Enid Joshua, and Pensions Consultant Desmond Wade were invited to attend to help explain the proposed amendments to the tax regulations.  The proposed regulation was to allow SHG staff, who retire through ill health (and are medically boarded), to be able to claim their pension benefits.  As the Ordinance currently stands, only SHG staff over the age of 55 can claim their pension if they retire due to ill health.  Executive Council recognised that the current system is unfair and was pleased to agree the recommendation.

An Amendment to Income Tax regulations was proposed to accommodate making the 25% of any lump sum payment tax free.  While this is already available for people to claim on retirement, it sits outside the Tax Ordinance as an extra statutory concession.  Executive Council agreed the Amendment to make it part of the Regulations, to come into effect on 1 April 2014.

The final item on the open agenda was to give permission to suspend the review on Phase 3 of the Pensions Reform process.  The review was concerned with assessing the implications of a compulsory pension scheme for all employees on St Helena. Given the benefits that would accrue from a contributory pension scheme, the Financial Secretary agreed to explore ways that Government could support people to join such a scheme.  It was further agreed that in anticipation of improved economic development, that this will be reviewed again in two years time.

The meeting ended at 10.55am.

ExCo

11 March 2014

A Bye-Election will take place this Wednesday 12 March 2014 to elect a new Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council.

Candidates for the 2014 Bye-Election are: Dr Corinda Essex of Jamestown, Mrs Brenda Moors of Alarm Forest and Mr Lionel Williams of St Paul’s.

Polling stations will be at the Levelwood, Jamestown, Harford, Blue Hill, Sandy Bay and Kingshurst Community Centres, Half Tree Hollow Clinic and at Judges Lodge, Alarm Forest. Polling stations will open at 10am and close promptly at 7pm.

Only those named on the Register of Electors dated 7 February 2014 will be able to vote in the Bye-Election and you must vote in the Polling District in which you are registered. Half Tree Hollow residents should note that their Polling Station is now at the Half Tree Hollow Clinic (and not at the normal venue of the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre).

Returning Officer Gillian Francis would like to encourage the Electorate to exercise their voting rights and generate a strong turnout.

SHG

10 March 2014

Open to the Public from 9.30am

Executive Council will meet on Tuesday 11 March 2014 in the Council Chamber.

Starting at 9.30am, the meeting will be open to the public for the following open agenda items:

• Information Paper on Revised Fuel Prices
• Wharfage, Warehousing and Customs Miscellaneous Fees – Amendment Proposal
• Pensions (Amendment) Regulations, 2014
• Income Tax (Amendment) Regulations, 2014
• Ceasing Further Review of the Phase 3 Pension Reform

Executive Council Members are: Ian Rummery, Cyril George, Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Leslie Baldwin and Lawson Henry.    

SHG

7 March 2014

March 2014

The Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin, published in March 2014, covers the period October – December 2013 (Q4 2013) and contains updates for the annual rate of inflation of the Retail Price Index (RPI), Income and Imports, Estimated Population, Visitor Arrivals and information on Dwellings and Planning Applications. Also contained within the Bulletin is a Correction Notice issued as a result of a revision to the RPI from Quarter 1 to Quarter 3 2013. 

Annual inflation of the St Helena RPI stood at 0.8 per cent in Quarter 4 2013 – the lowest recorded rate in over ten years. There has been a 0.7 per cent decrease in the RPI (the overall cost of the ‘St Helena Shopping Basket’) from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 2013.   

The Correction to the RPI shows that annual inflation of the RPI in 2013 was stronger than indicated by previously published estimates. But the revised figures continue to show a persistent decrease in the headline rate of inflation of the St Helena RPI.

The St Helena resident population continues to grow. December 2013 showed a peak in the St Helena population at just under 4,500, including those temporarily returning from overseas employment. In 2013, the estimated resident population at any time has included approximately 150 more people than the same period in 2012. In 2013, over 150 Saints returned to live on St Helena, having worked or lived overseas for two years or longer. Over 70% of these returning Saints were aged between 20 and 60 years. 

In 2013, the total number of arrivals to St Helena was up by close to 12% from 2012. Tourist arrivals on the RMS were up from 2012 by almost 20% and yacht visitors up by just over 15%.

Statistician, Dr Paula McLeod says:

“It is encouraging to see indications that the St Helena population and economy are steadily growing. The information published by the Statistics Office provides a small insight into St Helena and her people. It is important that we gather as much data as we can so that we can monitor changes on St Helena and provide sound evidence for policy makers and businesses to base decisions on.”

The Statistical News Bulletin, along with other statistical reports, is available on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics

If you have requested a copy of the Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin via email and have not yet received it, please contact the Statistics Office on 22138 or email statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh

SHG

7 March 2014

Executive Council met today, Tuesday 4March 2014, with one item on the open agenda.

Council was asked to consider amending the Interpretations Ordinance definition of an Audit, to raise the threshold for bodies requiring an International Standard on Auditing (ISA) approved audit.

This arose out of a concern from the Public Accounts Committee that some Government-funded bodies could be charged for a full ISA approved audit because of their income level.  Any agency in receipt of Government funds is required to be audited, but as more agencies are reaching the holdings threshold for a more comprehensive ISA approved audit, they are facing additional financial costs.  The purpose of the amendment was to raise the holdings threshold to bring it more into line with UK standards for Charitable Organisations.

Executive Council agreed the recommendation to amend the Ordinance as this will be a positive benefit to those Government-funded bodies – while still providing appropriate and sufficient safeguards for monitoring Government expenditure. The amended Bill will now go forward as Government Business to Formal Legislative Council on 21 March 2014.

On the closed agenda, the Appropriation Bill 2014/15 was presented to Executive Council. The Appropriation Bill had been discussed extensively by Legislative Council and Executive Council agreed that the Bill also be presented as Government Business at the next Formal Legislative Council.

The next item was an amendment to the Customs Regulations.  This was in relation to the importation of substances known as ‘legal highs’ (referring to psychoactive substances).  The description of ‘legal highs’ is a misnomer, leading some people to believe that because these substances are not illegal then they are safe to use.  This is not so – they can pose very serious health risks – and there is a suggestion that these substances are being brought into St Helena.  The amended Regulations would prohibit the import of psychoactive substances that have not been prescribed by a doctor.  This is an important public safety issue as at present it is legal to import and sell these substances.  That represents an unacceptable risk to the people of St Helena and so Executive Council approved the amended Regulations.

The meeting closed with a tribute to former Councillor, William (Bill) Drabble.  Executive Council, on behalf of Legislative Council, wished to remember Bill’s service to St Helena.  Bill served for 20 years and represented St Helena at a number of international conferences and meetings.  As current members of Legislative Council noted, Bill’s death reminds us that we are building on the foundations of those who have gone before us.

The meeting ended at 11:30am.

ExCo

4 March 2014

Open to the Public from 9.30am

Executive Council will meet on Tuesday 4 March 2014 in the Council Chamber.

Starting at 9.30am, the meeting will be open to the public for the one open agenda item: Legal Threshold for the International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (ISA) Compliant Audit.

Executive Council Members are: Ian Rummery, Cyril George, Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Leslie Baldwin and Lawson Henry.    

SHG

28 February 2014

The Elections Ordinance 2009 provides for Nominations to be delivered to the Returning Officer not later than noon on the last day appointed for the Nomination of Candidates. The closing date for nominations for the 2014 Bye-Election (to be held on Wednesday 12 March 2014) was today, Wednesday 26 February 2014.  

Returning Officer, Gillian Francis, this afternoon announced the names of three Candidates who will be standing for the upcoming Bye-Election and a seat on Legislative Council.  

The Candidates are as follows:

Corinda Sebastiana Stuart Essex:  of “Villa Ajaccio”, Napoleon Street, Jamestown

Brenda Elaine Moors: of Alarm Forest

Lionel George Williams: of Brenville” Nr Half Tree Hollow, St Paul’s.        

The full Declaration, including the names of Sponsors, will be Gazetted as soon as possible and hard copies will be placed at the usual outlets and published on the SHG website.     

Polling Day is set for Wednesday 12 March 2014. Polling Stations will be at the Levelwood, Jamestown, Harford, Blue Hill, Sandy Bay, Half Tree Hollow, and Kingshurst Community Centres, and at Judges Lodge, Alarm Forest. 

Further information, including the importance of voting and how and where to vote will be published as an insert in next week’s newspapers.

SHG

26 February 2014

Executive Council met today, Tuesday 25February 2014, with one item on the Open Agenda – an information paper on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, presented by the Attorney General.  The UK Government has stated that it hopes that the Convention can be extended to all Overseas Territories by the end of 2014.

This is an important Convention which will help protect women against discrimination, particularly with regards to rights in the workplace and in other ways.

On the Closed Agenda, the Capital Programme Manager gave a presentation on the 2014-15 proposed capital programme.  This was held in closed session as it includes budget estimates for various  projects which have yet to go out to tender.  ExCo had previously met with the full Legislative Council to discuss this programme and there was broad agreement on the main priorities. 

Executive Council agreed the capital expenditure programme for 2014-15, with a caveat on the SHG reorganisation and relocations element – to be reviewed once further details are available.

Under Any Other Business, there was a discussion on some difficulties that have occasionally been experienced by some local investors.  It was noted that the new Deputy Chief Executive for Economic Development has been tasked with responsibility for taking forward Enterprise St Helena as a one stop shop for all potential investors.  Executive Council was pleased with the assurances given that this would address the various issues.

In closing the meeting, a tribute was paid to Shirley Anderson-Leo, the former Senior Nursing Officer on St Helena, who passed away last week, aged 61.  In this tribute she was described as St Helena’s Florence Nightingale.  Her work on St Helena, Ascension and internationally, and her dedication to those she nursed, was recognised appreciably by Executive Council.

The meeting ended at 10:40am

ExCo

25 February 2014