Category: Press Releases

Councillor Andrew Turner, as part of a delegation, departed St Helena on Saturday 7 September 2024, to attend the 6^th UK Overseas Territories Forum on the Oversight of Public Finances and Good Governance, held in Westminster from 10 to 12 September 2024. Further details can be found on the SHG website via

Conference Report

Councillor Turner is scheduled to return to the island on 28 September 2024 and will remain contactable via email through councillor.aturner@gmail.com.

The delegation also comprises Mark Yon and Bramwell Bushuru Lumukwana, Chair and Vice Chair of the St Helena Public Accounts Committee, Vimbai Chikwenhere, Deputy Chief Auditor, and Blessing Gurure, Head of Internal Audit.  

Councillor Karl Thrower will also depart St Helena on Saturday 14 September 2024, to undertake a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Programme. The CPA programme will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 22 to 28 September 2024.

The Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Course is a five-day programme designed to enable Members to be better performing legislators, representatives and scrutineers. Based on a mentoring and coaching approach, participants will identify practical solutions to the challenges they face and hone their skills at a higher level through simulations, role-play, one-to-one discussions, group activities and exercises.

Councillor Thrower is scheduled to return to the island on 5 October 2024 and will remain contactable via email through karl.thrower@shgcouncil.com.

The Hon Cyril Gunnell, Speaker of the St Helena Legislative Council said:

“It is good to see delegates from St Helena join other Overseas Territories participating at the 6th UKOTP Forum and also, to see Councillors take the opportunity to enhance personal and professional development. I am sure that the outcome from sharing good governance practices and strengthening partnership values, especially in terms of scrutiny will not only enhance their respective roles but bring valuable insights and skills back to our parliamentary activities.”

Photos of the UK Overseas Territories Forum

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

#StHelena #CPA #PublicFinance

A memorial service will be held at St James Church on Thursday 19 September 2024 from 12:30 to 13:00, to commemorate the crew of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia.

Tragically the FV Argos Georgia, operated by Argos Froyanes Ltd (more affectionately known locally as ‘Argos’), sank near the Falkland Islands on Monday 22 July 2024, whilst on her way to its fishing grounds. Of the 27 individuals onboard, 14 survived, nine were declared deceased and four remain missing.

As the vessel was registered in St Helena, it is fitting that we pay tribute to the crew as members of our global fishing community. The service will be held in their honour.

We would also like to acknowledge and commend those who were involved in the rescue mission.

This is also an opportunity to remember and hold in prayer, our own fishing and seafaring community and express our gratitude for their contributions to our island home and the world.

All are welcome to attend the service, particularly those with connections to Argos, past or present, and those who are part of the fishing industry.

#StHelena #MaritimeAuthority #FVArgosGeorgia

https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt

Tweets by StHelenaGovt

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK is inviting nominations from St Helena for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships commencing in 2025.

Nominations will be for one candidate for consideration by the CSC for Master’sstudy.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. The CSC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Commonwealth Scholarships are intended to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics, and to contribute to UK higher education and foreign policy aims by encouraging collaboration and links.

Intended beneficiaries include academically successful candidates who wish to earn Master’s degrees and have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships are offered under six development themes:

1.         Science and technology for development

2.         Strengthening health systems and capacity

3.         Promoting global prosperity

4.         Strengthening global peace, security and governance

5.         Strengthening resilience and response to crises

6.         Access, inclusion and opportunity

The CSC is committed to supporting outreach activities and providing additional investment for scholarships for people with disabilities and in subject areas related to the rights of people with disabilities. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, please see the CSC disability support statement at https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/csc-disability-support-statement.

Full candidate eligibility requirements are available athttps://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships.

The CSC online application opens on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and closes on Tuesday 15 October 2024. All applicants must complete the online application process. For further information or assistance please contact Angela Benjamin Head of Lifelong Learning by email through angela.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 22607.

#StHelena #CommonwealthScholarshipCommission #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

The St Helena Government (SHG) Financial Statements for the Financial Year 2022/23 have been approved by the Executive Council and are now available to the public.

Financial Secretary Dax Richards, signed the statements on behalf of SHG, and the Chief Auditor Brendon Hunt, issued his Audit Opinion. The 2022/23 SHG Financial Statements can be accessed on the Treasury page of the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SHG-Financial-Statements-2022-23-Signed.pdf.

Key Highlights from the 2022/23 Financial Statements:

• Deficit: The Statement of Financial Performance shows a deficit of £0.979 million, a significant improvement from the £5.090 million deficit in 2021/22.
• Income: Total income for the financial year increased to £61.607 million from £56.844 million in 2021/22, reflecting growth of £4.763 million, mostly due to an increase in FCDO Development Aid and Other Development Aid.
• Expenditure: Total expenditure for the financial year increased by 1% (£0.652 million) to £62.586 million, up from £61.934 million in 2021/22. The largest increases were in Health and Social Care (+£1.52 million) and Trading Activities (+£1.34 million), while Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development saw the most significant decrease (-£2.34 million).
• Funds and Reserves: Overall funds and reserves of SHG have increased by 8% (£21.475 million) to £271.914 million, up from £250.439 million as of 31 March 2022. This increase was primarily due to a reduction in the Pension liability, which decreased by £20.600 million to £43.220 million from £63.820 million as of 31 March 2022.
• General Reserve: The General Reserve of the Consolidated Fund decreased by 32% (£2.753 million) to £5.850 million, down from £8.603 million as of 31 March 2022.

The Chief Auditor issued a ‘qualified’ opinion on the Financial Statements, and full details of his Audit Report can be found on pages 10-14 of the Financial Statements.  

SHG remains committed to enhancing financial reporting and accountability.  The approval of these Financial Statements is a crucial step, providing valuable insights into SHG’s decisions, performance, and financial position for the Legislative Council, public, and external funding providers.  The statements will be presented at the next Legislative Council meeting and scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee.

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

#StHelena #FinancialStatements

The 0-19 Health Service Team is excited to announce its recent partnership with the Solihull Approach, a trusted NHS provider of online courses focused on children’s emotional health and wellbeing.

Through this collaboration, the Health and Social Care Portfolio’s 0-19 Health Service Team has been granted multi-user license, enabling all residents on St Helena Island to access a comprehensive range of online courses on www.inourplace.co.uk at no cost.

The Solihull Approach is a not-for-profit, NHS organisation for parents and professionals to support emotional health and well-being in children, families, and adults. The sound and well-researched ideas developed by a team of clinical psychologists and a range of other professionals that underpin the Solihull Approach are embedded in every aspect of training.  

Designed to support parents at every stage of their journey, from pregnancy to adolescence, these courses empower parents to better understand their child’s brain development, decode their behaviours, and develop nurturing relationships, all aimed at fostering kindness, confidence, and emotional awareness in children who thrive throughout their lives.

The 0-19 Health Service Team recognises the importance of nurturing emotionally resilient and socially aware children within its community, building on the current work of our multiagency teams around the education and safeguarding of our children, as well as supporting parents, carers and professionals on St Helena.

Key highlights of the Inourplace online courses include:

• Understanding your child’s emotional health and brain development: Parents will gain insights into the science behind their child’s brain development, helping them make informed decisions that support healthy cognitive growth.
• Reading your child’s behaviours: These courses will provide parents with tools to interpret and respond effectively to their child’s behaviours, fostering positive interactions and reducing stress for both parents and children.
• Developing communication: Parents will learn strategies for open and effective communication that will strengthen the parent-child bond and promote emotional well-being.

Health and Social Care Portfolio Director, Tracy Poole-Nandy, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, saying,

“Investing in our children’s emotional health is an investment in the future of our community. We believe that by providing free access to Inourplace courses, we are empowering our parents and professionals with the tools they need to support children’s well-being and growth.”

To access the courses, St Helenaresidents can visit www.inourplace.co.uk and follow the simple registration process by inputting the access code STHELENA (for parents) and STHELENA_PRF (for professionals). Online courses are designed to be accessed anytime, anywhere and are completely private and personal to you. 

To view Solihull Approach Course Explainers please click the link https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Solihull-Approach-Course-Explainers.pdf.

For more information on the Solihull Approach visit: www.solihullapproachparenting.com. For further information and support accessing the course or if you have any queries, please contact any of the 0-19 Health services Team on 0to19parenting@gmail.com.

#StHelena #0-19HealthServices #SolihullApproach

https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt

Tweets by StHelenaGovt

Today is Merchant Navy Day and we take this opportunity to give thanks to all seafarers responsible for ensuring that goods are transported all over the world.

The merchant navy provides a vital lifeline to many and we, here on St Helena, realise this more than most, as we rely on all of our goods arriving by sea.

Thanks are extended in particular to our current service ship, the MV Karoline, past service ships and all who crewed these ships. As an island nation we are proud of our seafaring heritage and are proud to have had our own seafarers contribute to the Merchant Navy.

Happy Merchant Navy Day, we celebrate and applaud you.

Photos

#StHelena #Maritime #MerchantNavyDay

Nominations are now being invited for the following awards.

UK STATE AWARDS – 2025 BIRTHDAY HONOURS 

Honours are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement or for any service carried out over and above what normally is expected. This can include making a difference to the community or in a specific field of work, innovation and entrepreneurship, improving life for people less able to help themselves and displaying moral courage. Where possible, nominations should place emphasis on voluntary services and the service must be recent. Nominees must not be made aware they are being put forward for an award.

To find out more about the different types of Honours Awards please visit: www.gov.uk/honours

CERTIFICATE AND BADGE OF HONOUR

This award is presented to public servants on behalf of St Helena Government for loyal and valuable service worthy of recognition or, in the case of other persons, for their loyal and meritorious conduct that has provided exceptional benefit to the people of St Helena. Nominees should be residents of St Helena, either being born on the island or have been residing on St Helena for not less than ten years prior to the date of the award. 

ACT OF BRAVERY AWARD

This award is presented to individuals who have shown a clear display of moral courage and bravery in adverse situations.

THE BADGE OF ST HELENA

This award is available to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians. It is of a higher status than the Certificate and Badge of Honour. The Badge of St Helena recognises exceptional service provided by individuals or organisations who make significant contribution to St Helena’s development or by supporting and/or enhancing social, cultural, economic, environmental improvement or the understanding of St Helena internationally. 

FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN

This award is symbolic in nature and is the highest level of local government award that can be conferred. It is awarded to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians whose achievements are significantly admirable and highly worthy of distinctive recognition. Those who receive this award will have made an outstanding contribution that is of huge national impact to St Helena and its citizens and will have served the best interests of the Island. 

Nomination forms for all of the above awards, are available from Central Support Service at the Castle, Jamestown, or can be requested via email from linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Completed forms should be returned to the Castle in a sealed envelope marked ‘Confidential’ addressed to ‘The Secretary, Honours and Awards Committee’, by Monday 18 November 2024.

The Royal St Helena Police (RSHP) would like to invite the community to participate in an online survey to gather feedback on services provided. The survey will be launched on Monday 2 September 2024, and will close on Monday 30 September 2024.

The goal of the survey, which can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSHPolice, is to gain insights into the community’s perceptions of the RSHP and to identify areas for improvement. The data collected will be analysed and published in October 2024.

To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, physical copies of the survey will also be distributed throughout various establishments on the island.

We value the feedback from our community. Your input will help us to better understand your needs and ensure that we are providing the highest quality of service possible.

The RSHP encourages all residents to take the time to complete the survey and share their thoughts.

#StHelena #RoyalStHelenaPolice #CommunitySurvey

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

St Helena Government today announced that the contracts for the current public bus service provided by Joshua’s Taxis, Colin’s Garage, and Isaac’s Contractors have been extended for an additional three months, effective from Sunday 1 September to Saturday 30 November 2024.

Following discussions with the bus service providers earlier this year, an initial agreement was reached to continue certain bus routes for a period of six months. As this period nears its conclusion on Saturday 31 August, the service providers have agreed to extend their contracts to ensure uninterrupted public bus services for residents and visitors.

Fares will remain the same as currently published for this extended trial period of operations.  Customers are asked to ensure that they are issued with a ticket when paying their fares.

Copies of the timetables for all routes are available on the SHG website via https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publicservices/publictransportservice/?highlight=bus%20timetable

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

#StHelena #PublicBusServices

A reception was held last Thursday 22 August 2024 at Plantation House to celebrate education and the opportunities it unlocks. The event acknowledged beneficiaries of the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship programmes and featured a valuable address by His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE.  Both Commonwealth and Chevening Alumni were able to share their educational experiences and journey toward higher education with the latest cohort of sixth formers of the Prince Andrew School (PAS) and current undergrad scholars.

The evening offered special congratulations to Martina Peters for her achievement in securing a Chevening Scholarship. Martina successfully secured a place at the University of Exeter, to pursue a Master of Science in Conservation and Biodiversity.  Her academic journey will begin in late September 2024.

While Martina was the sole Chevening applicant from St Helena this year, the Overseas Territories (OTs) celebrated a collective success with 12 scholarships awarded across Anguilla, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Chevening Scholarship Applications

The application window for the next round of Chevening Scholarships is currently open. Applications close on Tuesday 5 November 2024, and successful applicants will begin their UK studies in September/October next year.

For more information on eligibility criteria and the application process, visit www.chevening.org. Alternatively, please contact Kerry Lane, Chevening Officer in the Governor’s Office, at Kerry.Lane@fcdo.gov.uk, or by telephone on 22308 for guidance.

Commonwealth Scholarship Applications

Applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships will open on 10 September 2024 and will close on 15 October 2024.  To find out more on Commonwealth Scholarships visit Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (fcdo.gov.uk), or contact Angela Benjamin, Head of Life Long Learning, at Angela.Benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh, or by telephone on 22607.

Both Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships offer fully funded post graduate study in the UK and supports individuals with outstanding talent and high aspirations to become leaders and innovators, and to enact positive change on return to their home countries. 

Photos

#StHelena #Education #Chevening #CommonwealthScholarship

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt