Category: Press Releases

The St Helena Government (SHG) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Section is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of GIS Day today, 20 November, with the theme “Mapping Minds, Shaping the World”.

Over the past year, the GIS Section has actively promoted GIS and its potential within SHG. Through awareness campaigns, they have successfully increased understanding and highlighted the advantages of this valuable tool. Advancements in technology have allowed them to collaborate with various departments, addressing their specific needs and providing data-driven solutions for more informed decision-making.

Established in 2005, the SHG GIS Section is the only such facility on the island. It offers analysis, mapping services, and tailored outputs to various departments and stakeholders. Recent projects include:

• Assisting the Darwin Project with reviewing National Conservation Area boundaries.
• Analysing transportation arrangements for the Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio to improve school bus services.
• Digitising internal request databases to create spatial outputs for trend analysis.
• Collaborating with Land Registry to review island parcel boundaries and rectify potential issues.

The GIS Section encourages everyone to consider how existing data, like databases or records, can be transformed into usable formats for analysis. They demonstrate this through an example where they analysed the Planning Management Office’s planning applications database. By utilising the spatial data, they created a “Hot Spot” map highlighting areas with the most development activity. This valuable information helps prioritise infrastructure improvements in areas experiencing growth. Such analysis allows departments to utilise resources effectively and achieve cost-efficient solutions.

The GIS Section prioritises staying current with evolving technology. They are actively incorporating Drone Surveying into their capabilities. Recent drone pilot training will enable the use of photogrammetry technology, which is the use of photography in surveying and mapping to ascertain measurements between objects, in creating more detailed and accurate outputs. This will enhance the department’s capacity and allow SHG to monitor its land assets effectively.

To learn more about the annual GIS Day celebration, visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e85242817c8e4713931f8a5aa3a93127. For further information, please contact GIS Manager Devlin Yon at devlin.yon@sainthelena.gov.sh.

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A “Hot Spot” map highlighting areas with the most development activity, created for the Building Control and Planning Section.

#StHelena #GISDay2024 #MappingMindsShapingtheWorld

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The St Helena cricket team departed the island on Saturday, 16 November to compete in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier C in Nigeria. The team is representing St Helena on the international stage, aiming for a strong performance in this important tournament.

The 14-player St Helena team is being led by Captain Cliff Richards. Team members are: Aiden Leo, Barry Stroud, Andrew Yon, Brendan Leo, Rhys Francis, Brett Isaac, Dane Leo, David Young, Scott Crowie, Delroy Leo, Jamie Essex, Joey Thomas and Jordan Yon. They will be supported by Coach Nadeem Ahmed and Team Manager Derek Richards.

This marks the fourth time since 2012 that St Helena has participated in the regional qualifying tournament. The Group C qualifying tournament starts on 23 November 2024 where St Helena will face host country team, Nigeria.  Other teams in Group C include Botswana, Eswatini, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast.  The top two teams from this qualifying round will move on to the next stage of the qualifier.     

Governor Phillips hosted a special reception at Plantation House on Thursday, 07 November 2024 to bid farewell to the team and wished them the best of luck before embarking on their journey. The St Helena community has also shown strong support for the team, as they prepare to take on this international challenge.

Stay updated on the team’s progress by visiting the St Helena Cricket Association website: https://www.sthelenacricket.org. You may also catch the live action of the matches on the official ICC website: https://www.icc-cricket.com.

The island wishes the St Helena cricket team every success in the tournament.

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Cricket team at Plantation House

#sthelenacricket #sthelenaisland #teamsthelena

SHG

18 November 2024

The Legislative Council have commissioned an independent review of the governance structures of St Helena three years after the implementation of the ministerial form of government. The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of constitutional changes introduced in 2021 in delivering efficient, effective, transparent and accountable governance for St Helena. With the support of the Governor’s Office, in August, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) were engaged to carry out the review with funding from the FCDO.

WFD were asked to recruit a team of three experts bringing together:

1. Expertise in the general principles and practice of governance, including the operation of the public service in relation to elected representatives/Ministers;
2. A deep understanding and experience of legal and constitutional theory and practice in the overseas territories;
3. The operation of government within small island or local government contexts especially in aid-dependent contexts;
4. Knowledge of St Helena or wider Overseas Territories is desirable, especially ODA-dependent territories.

They have now secured a highly experienced and respected team to undertake the review consisting of Dr Ronan Cormacain, Steven Tweedie and Lord Robert Lisvane. Lord Lisvane visited St Helena in May as part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands Mediterranean Region Conference. The team will also have access to WFD’s wider register of experts should they need further peer review or expertise. Their CVs are available to the public upon request. The team is expected to visit St Helena at the start of December for two weeks.

Following a desktop review, primary research, virtual engagements, two visits to the island to include public and key stakeholder consultation and feedback on draft reports, the team will produce a final assessment report which they will present to local stakeholders. The assessment is provisionally due by the end of March although there is some flexibility built into timelines to ensure the team are able to fully consult, research and consider context and implementation. The assessment will provide the team’s view of:

• the evolution of the governance arrangements and the experience since 2021 – what was the system pre-2021 and what changes have been realised since
• the clarity of the current respective roles and responsibilities of all governance actors and the extent to which these are understood, both by the actors themselves and more widely;
• where responsibility and accountability lies for government business, management of the public service, management of funding and the efficacy of the structures that support each of these;         
• the effectiveness of the 2021 changes in delivering on the objectives – what were the objectives for change; were they sound; were they met;
• the appropriateness of the 2021 objectives in today’s context – do they remain fit for purpose and comprehensive including in consideration of programme governance and effectively meeting UKG governance requirements for aid;
• the suitability of the changes in practice in ensuring the most effective and constructive relationships between different governance actors including the legislature, Ministers, public service, public bodies and Governor/Governor’s Office as well as the relationship between governance actors, the public, governance actors and UKG;
• primary factors leading to this level of effectiveness, including any capacity, drafting, organisational or other issues such as clarity of roles and responsibilities and process across all parts of the system;
• the effectiveness of the change management in place to implement 2021 changes – was the change clear, reasoned and understood by all;
• gaps, redundancies or deficiencies in the design of the 2021 changes in delivering effective, inclusive and accountable governance for St Helena including issues of legislative coverage and quality;
• Constitutional alignment to the new system and objectives of Ministerial government including any apparent tensions or inconsistencies either within the Constitution itself or with laws made under its legislative powers;
• legal authorities within the amended Constitution and where these have or could be delegated;
• feasible options for addressing any issues. 

These deliverables will be within the parameters of those constitutional areas appointed through electoral competition, as part of the public service or those bodies reporting to the Governor or legislature.  The team will ensure that the assessment is appropriately evidenced and is informed by a consultative and inclusive process.  

The review will be informed by all stakeholders on the island and will be fully consultative in nature.  To this end and ahead of their first planned visit from 30 November to 15 December, the team are keen to be contacted by anyone interested in engaging with them at any stage in the process. They can be reached confidentially on StHelenaGovernanceReview@gmail.com

It is planned that the review will then be followed by a second phase considering implementation of recommendations.

#StHelena #ConstitutionalReforms #GovernanceReview

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SHG
18 November 2024

His Excellency, Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, departed St Helena on Saturday 16 November 2024. The Governor will meet with senior officials and attend this year’s Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) with Chief Minister Julie Thomas.

Governor Phillips is due to return to St Helena on 23 November 2024.

Tasha Harris, Head of the Governor’s Office, has been sworn in as Acting Governor until Governor Phillips’ return.

#StHelena #GovernorDeparts #JMC

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SHG
18 November 2024

St Helena Government (SHG) has today published the draft Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Bill, if enacted into law by the Legislative Council, would form the basis for the creation of a Publically Accessible Register of Beneficial Ownership (PARBO) for companies registered on St Helena.

A PARBO is a public record that reveals the identities of the individuals who ultimately own and control a company, even if they are not the legal owners on paper.

The objectives of the Bill are the prevention of money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorist financing. In the absence of a modern framework for regulating and developing financial services, the Bill serves as a preventive measure to discourage or prevent illegal financial activity through the Company Registry in the short to medium term.

The changes are being introduced for four broad purposes:

1. National security, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and preventing organised crime;
2. Protecting individuals and business from fraud;
3. Improving economic wellbeing by facilitating the growth of the digital, financial and professional service sectors; and,
4. The UK Government has issued a draft order in council to all Overseas Territories to implement a PARBO. SHG recognises the value in complying with the draft Order in Council.

Alongside the draft Bill, accessible at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/bills-for-an-ordinance/, SHG has published an explanatory note, outlining the background, rationale, impacts, and implications of the policy. The explanatory note welcomes feedback on the Bill, so that it can be appropriately debated by Legislative Council in the formal sitting next month. The explanatory note can be accessed on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Explanatory-information-note_Companies-Amendment-Bill-2024.pdf.

In summary, the introduction of the proposed PARBO on St Helena would:

1. Define a beneficial owner of a company on St Helena in line with the UK Persons with Significant Control provisions contained in the UK Companies Act 2006. The level of control which would constitute a person or other legal entity being a beneficial owner is set at 25% of the total company ownership. A general catch-all provision captures circumstances where a formal interest is not held but significant control is still exercised;
2. Require all companies registered in St Helena to submit to the Registrar the details of the beneficial owners of that company, to include their name, nationality, manner of their beneficial ownership, territory of ordinary residence, and month and year of birth; and,
3. Make this information accessible to all members of the public upon request, including over the internet, except where a company can prove to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the person is of minor age, lacks legal capacity, or if making such information public would present a serious risk of harm to the beneficial owner. This possible harm includes by fraud, kidnapping, blackmail, extortion, harassment, violence, intimidation or other similar harm.

Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, Hon Mark Brooks, says on the publication of the Bill:

“This is the first in what is anticipated to be a series of changes linked to SHG’s strategic journey to reform St Helena’s money laundering prevention and detection laws, company law, and the overall financial services regulatory framework – as outlined in the Sustainable Economic Development Strategy 2023-33.”

“The aim of the reforms are to ensure that, in the near future, St Helena is fully compliant with international regulatory standards including those set by the Financial Action Task Force and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, in order to protect St Helena, the United Kingdom, and all of our other trade partners from the significant risks posed by illicit finance activities, such as money laundering, terrorist financing and criminal tax evasion.”

“An additional aim of the reforms is to ensure St Helena can benefit from growth in its financial service and company registry sectors, laying the foundation for continued economic diversification and sustainable economic development.”

“I would encourage all business owners to take this opportunity and engage with my team to fully understand what this will mean for your business.”

Should members of the public wish to provide feedback on the Policy or draft Bill, this may be done by contacting your constituent member of Legislative Council, or directly to the Economic Development Portfolio by emailing Portfolio Assistant, Alexandria Thomas, on alexandria.thomas@sainthelena.gov.sh.

A public drop-in session will be held at the Economic Development Office in the Castle on Friday 22 November 2024, from 12:30 to 16:00.

#StHelena #CompaniesBill2024 #PublicallyAccessible RegisterOfBeneficialOwnership

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Chief Minister Julie Thomas, is due to depart St Helena on Saturday, 16 November 2024 to travel to the UK to attend the annual Overseas Territories (OTs) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC).

The JMC takes place every year in London and is hosted by the UK Government. It brings together elected leaders and representatives from all of the OTs, as well as UK Ministers and provides the principal forum for political dialogue and consultation between the UK and the OTs.

The JMC will run over two days and is due to begin on 20 November 2024.  It will cover a range of issues including, Security and Irregular Migration; Economic Diversification and Resilience; Illicit Finance and Sanctions; Climate and the Environment; and Human Development.  The Chief Minister will be leading on the discussion entitled ‘ODA Recipient Territories’ on Day 1, which will focus on gaining a collective understanding of issues faced by Official Development Assistance, (ODA) recipient territories whilst identifying and sharing learning with other OT Leaders in respect of ODA graduation, which is becoming a real concern for St Helena.

The Chief Minister will also have a number of official engagements before and after the event itself. These engagements will include meetings with Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, other OT leaders and representatives, DEFRA Minister Creagh, Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Treasury Committee  and John Camp OBE, CEO Compass Partnership Schools to name but a few.

With the SHG UK Representative Kedell Worboys accompanying Minister Christine Scipio at COP29 in Baku, the Chief Minister will be joined by key officials, including Governor Nigel Phillips CBE and SHG UK Representative Office Manager, Glenda Bas. 

The Chief Minister is due to arrive back on St Helena on Saturday 30 November. Whilst she is off-Island, Minister Jeffrey Ellick will be appointed Deputy Chief Minister and will be contactable via email jeffrey.ellick@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Chief Minister Thomas commented:

“I am looking forward to a productive and informative JMC, which will be provide me with my first opportunity to engage with Ministers of the new UK Labour Government.  The JMC is the principal forum for reviewing and implementing the shared strategy for promoting the security and good governance of the Territories and our sustainable economic and social development, hence it is crucial that I make every effort to ensure that St Helena is prepared to eloquently set out our political agenda.   

This year, I am particularly looking forward to leading on the ODA Territories discussion and my bilateral with Minister Doughty.  I firmly believe that these sessions will afford me the time to put St Helena in the spotlight, highlighting our strengths and achievements, whilst also placing emphasis on the significant challenges we face when having to operate within the parameters of a confined annual budget with ever-increasing competing priorities, and equally striving to achieve the best outcomes for our island in the timeliest manner.  I sincerely hope that the interventions I present, will go some way to facilitate the understanding of our UK Minister and the wider UKG fraternity of how reliant we are on ODA and other FCDO funding streams to sustain our essential services and develop our island to become more self-sustaining.  

Furthermore, I am keen to interact with my fellow OT Leaders and colleagues as this experience is always invigorating.  It provides the opportunity to share experiences, discuss mutual challenges and objectives and enables us to strengthen our relationships.”

The annual Remembrance Sunday Divine Service, in honour of those who lost their lives in the violence of war, as well as those who served and survived these wars, was held at the Cenotaph in Jamestown on Sunday 10 November 2024.

The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of St Helena, Dale Bowers, welcomed those in attendance which included His Excellency (HE) Governor Nigel Phillips and Mrs Phillips, the Honourable Speaker Cyril Gunnell, Honourable Chief Minister Julie Thomas, the Chief Secretary Susan O’Bey, Senior officials, Ex-Servicemen and Women, persons who served on the RMS St Helena during the 1982 Falklands War, the St Helena Veterans Association (SHVA) and other uniformed contingents.  

Following the scripture readings by Bishop Bowers, the Governor gave the act of Remembrance before a two-minute silence was observed. The silence was signalled by the Last Post, played by members of the First Jamestown Scout Group.

During the the service, prayers were led by Deacon Edgar Crowie, Mr Gareth Drabble, Fr Clarence Roberts, Rector Darren Peters and Fr Griffith Moses.

A wreath was laid for St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha by HE Governor with other wreaths being laid for the President of the French Republic, the Government of St Helena, St Helena Legislative Council, the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Merchant Navy, the Royal St Helena Police Force, the St Helena Fire and Sea Rescue Services and the SHVA. Members of the public and school children also laid wreaths. 

A wreath was also laid by divers in the harbour, in commemoration of those who lost their lives on board the RFA Darkdale.

The national anthem was sung and the service was concluded with a blessing from Bishop Dale.

The island’s servicemen and women then proceeded with a march-past parade outside the Court House.

Alongside the service on-island, St Helena Government’s UK Representative, Mrs Kedell Worboys MBE, laid a wreath on behalf of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha at the UK’s Ceremony of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.

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The Divine Service took place at the Cenotaph in Jamestown

The Scouts led the musical procession

HE Governor Phillips, Mrs Phillips, Chief Minister and senior officials

The clergy and combined band

Wreaths laid in respect of those affected by war

SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London

#RemembranceSunday2024 #StHelenaVeteransAssociation #Lestweforget

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SHG
13 November 2024

White Ribbon Day, observed annually on 25 November, is a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women. This year’s theme, “It Starts with Men,” emphasises the crucial role men play in preventing domestic abuse.

The Health and Social Care Portfolio is proud to join this important cause and encourage everyone on St Helena to participate. By wearing a white ribbon, we symbolise our commitment to a future free from violence.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviours used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. It can manifest in various forms, including:

• Physical Abuse: Acts of violence, such as hitting, kicking, or pushing.
• Sexual Abuse: Forcing unwanted sexual acts.
• Emotional Abuse: Using insults, threats, or intimidation to control and degrade.
• Economic Abuse: Controlling finances or limiting access to resources.
• Psychological Abuse: Manipulating or gas-lighting to undermine a victim’s self-esteem.

Breaking the Cycle

Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. It can have devastating consequences for victims and their families.

Join the White Walk

Join the White Ribbon Working Group for the White Walk on Monday 25 November 2024 at 11:30. The walk will begin at the General Hospital, proceed to Coleman House for a flag-raising ceremony, and conclude at the Castle Gardens with the planting of a white rose bush, symbolising hope for a brighter future.

Support Services Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Please contact the following organisations:

Royal St Helena Police Service: 22626

Domestic Abuse Service Lead: 25343

Equality and Human Rights Commission: 22133

Mental Health Team: 22593

Children’s Services: 23312

Let’s work together to create a safer and more compassionate community for everyone.

#StHelena #WhiteRibbonDay #ItStartsWithMen

SHG

13 November 2024

St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce that they have entered into a contract with MPAMOT Africa (PTY) Ltd from Cape Town, South Africa to develop wastewater solutions for Half Tree Hollow and Jamestown.  

MPAMOT Africa is a multidisciplinary engineering and development consultancy with more than 27 years’ experience within the Infrastructure, Transportation, Energy and Advisory sectors. MPAMOT brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the project having been involved in a range of flagship projects (projects that contribute to the economy) within Africa.

The first stage of this Wastewater Management Upgrade Project is to undertake a detailed investigation of the current systems, evaluate what solutions are best suited to the unique conditions and landscape of St Helena and recommend the most viable and sustainable design options. As we progress with the design SHG remains committed to inclusive development and stakeholder engagement, and further information will be made available as the project progresses.

This project is part of the £30m Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) funded by the UK Government.

SHG is dedicated to improving infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices in St Helena.

SHG and MPAMOT Africa provides the opportunity for Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) to register their interest and provide comments.

Please register on the project database to confirm your interest to be informed of future opportunities to comment. Registrations (and, if desired, comments) can be submitted by completing the brief online form accessible at https://forms.office.com/r/Xg0nuK0Qbx. Alternatively, hard copy registration forms are available at Jamestown Public Library. Completed forms to be returned to a designated box at the library or emailed to engagement@mpamot.com.

#StHelena #EDIP #WastewaterManagement

A delegation comprising of Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Planning, Christine Scipio, and SHG UK representative, Kedell Worboys, MBE, will be representing St Helena at the 29^th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

COP29, taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November 2024, is a vital platform for international collaboration on climate change solutions. As an Overseas Territory of the UK, St Helena will participate within the UK delegation from 16 to 21 November, ensuring a voice for the island on this critical issue.

The delegation will be actively engaged at COP29 by attending side events at various pavilions. These discussions will address topics directly impacting island nations like St Helena. Additionally, Minister Scipio will speak at an event titled “Response to Climate Change: The Special Case of Small Island UK Overseas Territories” within the UK pavilion and a discussion on “Islands, Ocean and the Climate: The role of Sub-National Island Jurisdictions” as part ofIsland Voices at @COP29. Minister Scipio will use this opportunity to connect with UK Ministers and senior officials.

Kedell Worboys plays a key role as Chair of the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Environment Group. Mrs Worboys has been instrumental in co-ordinating the participation of all Overseas Territories at COP29, including securing a dedicated side event in the UK Pavilion. This event will take place on Wednesday 20 November at 12:15 GMT.

Many of the side events will be broadcast live on the COP29 YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/UnfcccInt/playlists. UK Pavilion events will be broadcast live through the UK Pavilion Events Programme, at https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/14338/uk-cop29-events-programme/.

Small island nations like St Helena are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Participating in COP29 will provide a platform for the Overseas Territories to amplify their voices, forge partnerships, and showcase their efforts in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Minister Scipio will also have a bilateral meeting with Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) whilst in the UK.

Minister Scipio departed St Helena on Sunday 10 November, and will return on Saturday 30 November. During this time, Minister Henry will cover any urgent matters for the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio. Minister Scipio will remain contactable via email through christine.scipio@helanta.co.sh.

#StHelena #COP29 #UNFCCC

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