Executive Council met today with one item on the Open Agenda – the new RMS Shipping Schedule for 2015 to 2016. The proposed schedule was agreed by ExCo and is attached. The new schedule runs from 25 March 2015 to 12 April 2016.
For convenience, the current full RMS schedule is below.
SHG
28 January 2013
Following the diversion of the RMS to Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Monday 27 January 2014, due to a medical emergency onboard, the vessel is now en-route to St Helena.
Her estimated time of arrival is 7.30pm on Friday 31 January 2014.
Pending weather conditions, this time might be improved upon slightly. It is intended to disembark all passengers shortly after the ship’s arrival.
The RMS schedule for Voyage 203 has been revised as below:
RMS St Helena – Voyage 203
ARR STH – c19.30hrs Friday 31 Jan
DEP STH – 12.00hrs Sunday 2 Feb
ARR ASC – 09.00hrs Tuesday 4 Feb
DEP ASC – 15.00hrs Tuesday 4 Feb
ARR STH – 15.00hrs Thursday 6 Feb
DEP STH – 14.00hrs Friday 7 Feb
ARR CT – 18.00hrs Wednesday 12 Feb
SHG
29 January 2014
At 2.30pm this afternoon, local time, the RMS arrived at the pilot station in Walvis Bay, Namibia, as planned.
Shortly after, two paramedics came onboard from a launch, and the patient was prepared for evacuation. The transfer went smoothly and family members accompanied the patient, who has now been transferred to hospital.
At 3.40pm local time, the operation was complete and the RMS departed Walvis Bay for St Helena. The RMS will monitor her speed over the next 12 hours and advise accordingly on the estimated time of arrival at St Helena.
Credit goes to the crew and medical team for a rapid and professional response.
SHG
28 January 2014
Executive Council met today, Tuesday 28 January 2014, at 09.30am. There was one item on the open agenda.
This item was the proposed RMS Shipping Schedule for 2015-2016. This schedule had previously been distributed to stakeholders for consultation, and a variety of responses were received.
A question had been raised about the possibility of a voyage to Tristan, but the expected demand on berths as a result of Airport construction and economic development ruled this out. The schedule post Airport opening has yet to be confirmed and possible voyages such as this will be considered nearer the time, when more information is available.
Executive Council approved the RMS Shipping Schedule from 25 March 2015 to 12 April 2016. SHG will publish the new schedule later today.
During the closed agenda, Executive Council was asked to consider an increase in Freight and Passenger tariffs. In 2012, Executive Council agreed in principle that there would be an annual increase in the tariffs in line with inflation. It was also a condition of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed for the Airport that efforts would be made to reduce untargeted subsidies, which included the RMS. As inflation is currently running at around 1%, Executive Council agreed to this small increase in tariffs, with effect from 1 April 2014.
The next item was that the Supplementary Appropriation Bill be introduced as Government Business in the forthcoming meeting of Legislative Council. Supplementary Appropriation is required to increase the budget approved in March 2013, to cover unforeseen expenditure. This will be fully debated in the formal Legislative Council meeting on Friday 14 February 2014.
This relatively short meeting concluded at 10.15am.
ExCo
28 January 2014
SUMMARY
On the evening of Wednesday 22 January, the Highway Authority and Roads Section held a Public Meeting at Harford Community Centre to seek views on the possibility of a Road Closure to repair the road from Longwood Gate to Hutts Gate. Approximately 65-70 residents and businesses attended to give their views and ideas, and thanks are given to all who contributed.
The meeting split into nine different tables, with each asked four key questions. Responses from each group were written down and afterwards all rejoined for a wider discussion about the options and impacts raised. The sheets were collected for analysis. The results are as follows:
What are the 3 biggest impacts to the Community?
The Roads Section really needs blocks of 4 hours of full closure to carry out the works.
Unsurprisingly, there was no consensus reached on these timings. However, there was a lot of detail provided in the responses which shows what the impacts are at any given time. This information will be critical in making the decisions.
How would you feel about Traffic Lights or Delays at other times?
Are there any other ideas for anything we can do to reduce the impact?
Top 3 answers:
Work is now underway to consider the information provided and to investigate further some of the ideas – before a meeting of the Highway Authority on Wednesday 29 January.
A second public meeting will then be held at Harford Community Centre on Wednesday 5 February at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
SHG
28 January 2014
A Bye-Election, to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council, will take place on Wednesday 12 March 2014.
To vote in the Bye-Election or to stand for Legislative Council your name must be on the Register of Electors. The deadline for additions and changes to the Register closed on Friday 10 January 2014 – eight new names were added and several other changes were made to the Register.
The Register is currently being amended to reflect these changes. Once finalised, the new list will be published and will be the Register used for the upcoming Bye-Election. It is expected that the new Register will be published next week.
The Writ of Election, which will state the last day and time for receiving nominations to elect a new Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council, will be issued once the new Register is published.
Further information on the Register and Writ of Election will be issued shortly.
SHG
28 January 2014
Newly arrived on the Island is Esther Rodrigo, the new Physiotherapist for the Health and Social Welfare Directorate, on a two year contract. Esther is based at the Community Care Complex (CCC) in Ladder Hill, Half Tree Hollow.
Supported by Rosie Walton (Assistant Physiotherapist) and Helen Owen (Locum Physiotherapy Manager, and who covers for the Physiotherapist when on leave) the Physiotherapist treats patients daily at the CCC, the Hospital and also conducts home visits for those unable to travel.
Esther commented:
“Physiotherapy treats patients who suffer from physical health conditions, illnesses or injuries – such as orthopaedic or muscle conditions – but it is also used to treat individuals who suffer from respiratory illnesses.”
“In London I mainly worked with orthopaedic and sport injury conditions. The main difference between here and the UK is that here you treat a variety of cases, all kinds of patients. In the UK you are more specialised.
“The challenge of acquiring adequate resources is also a difference compared with equipment and faculties available in the UK.”
Esther, originally from Spain, has experience in treating chronic patients before her move to the UK to take on employment with the NHS, working with elderly patients – some in various states of dementia and depression. Esther then moved on to a private clinic in London before relocating with her husband to St Helena.
SHG
28 January 2014
St Helena Line Ltd has this afternoon advised that, as a consequence of an onboard medical emergency, it has been necessary to divert the RMS to Walvis Bay, Namibia, it being the nearest port. The decision was taken this afternoon, Monday 27 January 2014.
The distance to Walvis Bay is 399 nautical miles and with the current speed of just over 16 knots, the ETA at Walvis Bay is approximately 14.30 hours local time on Tuesday 28 January.
Options are currently being pursued to deal with the situation at Walvis Bay.
The distance from Walvis Bay to St Helena is 1,241 nautical miles and at an average speed of 15.5 knots, the ETA for the RMS at St Helena will now be either 20.00 hours on Friday 31 January, or 06.00 hours on Saturday 1 February.
SHG
27 January 2014
In a presentation this afternoon, eleven Human Resources personnel from St Helena Government and Solomon and Company were awarded certificates of qualification in HR Practice, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Awardees of the Level 3 foundation certificate – Meliza Knipe, Bronwen Yon, Jackie Moyce, Sharina Williams, Clare O’Dean and Anya Richards from Corporate Human Resources; Karen Thomas from the Environmental and Natural Resources Directorate, Carol Thompson from Education and Employment; plus Marianne Young Crowie and Darryl Legg from Solomon and Company and Liana Kleinhans, a former employee of Health and Social Welfare – were presented with their certificates by Chief Secretary, Owen O’ Sullivan, in the Council Chamber (photo attached).
The course was studied via distance learning with two short programmes of direct tuition provided by a visiting tutor.
During their study staff completed two, five- day modules spaced three months apart. Module 1 covered: Developing Yourself as an HR Practitioner, Recording, Analyzing and Using HR Information, Understanding Organizations and the Role of HR, Supporting Good Practice in Managing Employment Relations and Resourcing Talent. Topics covered in Module 2 focused on Supporting Good Practice in Performance and Reward Management and Supporting Good Practice in Managing Employment Relations. In addition to studying each module, officers also had to produce written assessments, take part in practical skills demonstrations and pre and post workshop activities. They also had to track and document their knowledge and experience in a Continuing Professional Development log.
Director of Corporate HR, Barbara George said:
“All awardees have worked hard to gain this qualification which allows them now to develop essential HR skills and gain the confidence in becoming more effective at work – further adding value to the HR function. Well done to all!”
SHG
27 January 2014
Open to the Public from 9.30am
There will be a special meeting of Executive Council on Tuesday 28 January 2014 in the Council Chamber.
Starting at 9.30am, the meeting will be open to the public for the one open agenda item: The proposed RMS Shipping Schedule for 2015/16.
Executive Council Members are: Ian Rummery, Cyril George, Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Leslie Baldwin and Lawson Henry.
SHG
24 January 2014