Category: Press Releases

Following representation to St Helena Government by Councillors Lawson Henry and Dr Corinda Essex on behalf of Elected Members – and constructive discussions and suggestions – SHG has agreed to modify the recently announced St Helena Airport logo.  A revised final version of the logo is now being developed and will go to Executive Council Members for final endorsement at the earliest opportunity.

This process is likely to take two to three weeks, at which time a further announcement will be made, together with the final agreed version of the logo.

SHG

24 July 2015

At today’s formal meeting of Legislative Council (Friday 24 July 2015) Councillor Pamela Ward Pearce was elected as Chairperson of the Environment & Natural Resources Committee (ENRC).

A ballot also took place to determine the new member of the Public Accounts Committee, which saw Councillor Cyril George voted in as a new member of the PAC.

SHG

24 July 2015

Councillors will be holding a series of Constituency Meetings during August and September 2015.

Taking into account comments from the public, topics for discussions at the meetings will be Safeguarding and Opening Hours for businesses on Sundays, Public and Bank Holidays. The 2016 St Helena Population and Housing Census will also be an agenda item.

Roads and Health issues were also requested for discussion at these meetings but, due to the Roads Manager and the Director of ENRD being currently off-Island, the Roads topic will be left until the next round of Constituency meetings and Health issues will be discussed via local radio programmes.

The schedule for the upcoming meetings is as follows:

SHG

21 July 2015

TO ST HELENA COURT OF APPEAL

On Tuesday 23 June 2015 – and after conducting an open and rigorous recruitment process – Acting Governor Sean Burns appointed a President of the St Helena Court of Appeal, together with three Justices of Appeal to the Court – under the 2009 Constitution of St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha.

The Constitution establishes a Supreme Court and a Court of Appeal for the Territories of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.  Although three separate Territories, they are one territorial grouping under the Crown, so the same Supreme Court and Court of Appeal preside over all three Territories.

The Supreme Court is presided over by the Chief Justice who is responsible for the administration of justice in all three Territories and who also sits as a Recorder in England.

The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from the courts of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.  Appeals normally lie to the Court of Appeal from the Supreme Court on questions of law or with the leave of the Supreme Court from cases where it has exercised its criminal, civil or appellate jurisdiction.

Appeals may also be heard on questions of general or public importance or where the Court of Appeal grants leave.

On 23 June 2015, and with immediate effect, the following persons were appointed to the St Helena Court of Appeal:

• Sir John Henry Boulton Saunders, as President of the Court of Appeal
• His Honour Judge Michael Paul Yelton, as Justice of Appeal
• His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo, as Justice of Appeal, and
• Ms Lorna Alison Drummond, as Justice of Appeal.

SHG

30 June 2015

As part of St Helena’s safeguarding projects, the Safeguarding Children’s Board has this week launched two leaflets – one for parents & guardians and one for young people – providing information on the safe use of the internet and using the internet wisely.

Parents Guide to Online Safety

Parents Guide to Online Safety

There is a quick guide for young people to help them enjoy the internet safely – this includes making sure they know who they are talking to online, setting their accounts to private, not being victims of online bullying and not posting personal contact details online.

The leaflet designed for parents and guardians highlights the benefits of the internet for their children’s educational and social development but also provides advice on understanding the internet, the risks it poses to their children, and protecting their children in the virtual world. Topics covered include cyber-bullying, identity theft, inappropriate and harmful content and grooming.

Helping your child understand the risks of using the internet ensures they can make sensible and informed choices and get the most positive experience from going online.

Children’s Champion, Christine Scipio-O’Dean, said:

“The internet provides many fantastic opportunities for children and young people, provided it is used safely. We have developed sensible advice and guidance for children, young people, parents and guardians to enable them to use the internet and social media, while being aware of some of the dangers.”  

 Chairperson of the Safeguarding Children’s Board, Sean Burns added:

“The internet is a wonderful tool that improves the way we work and enjoy ourselves. But there are dangers out there in the virtual world. This is a timely reminder about what some of those dangers are, how you might identify them and guidance on what to do if you have any concerns. I commend it to all, especially young people and parents.”

Copies of both leaflets will be published in this week’s newspapers and printed versions will also be distributed to Prince Andrew School for students and their parents or guardians.

SHG

30 June 2015

The Education Learning Centre’s Lifelong Learning Awards were celebrated on Wednesday 24 June 2015.  Presenting the awards were Councillors Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Nigel Dollery, Dr Corrinda Essex, together with Dr Niall O’Keefe, Head of Enterprise St Helena.

Awards were presented for Functional Skills in Mathematics and English, GCSE English, AS Design & Technology, Business Management, NVQ’s in Business & Administration, Unit Certifications in Health & Social Welfare, Environmental Conservation, and Professional Cookery.

Director of Education, Shirley Wahler, commented in her speech on the importance of lifelong learning in a small community like St Helena – offering a diverse range of qualifications for a diverse range of candidates.  She said:

“You hear a lot about sustainable development and building the economy, but a sustainable economy depends on developing the people of the Island.  It takes a lot to go into training as an adult, where you have effectively put your school days behind you.  But when you commit to further developing yourself, you are also improving the Island and the community, and you are setting a very positive example for those still at school.”

Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning Services, Kerry Yon, spoke of the importance of gaining certificates in Functional Skills:

“For some awardees this is the first chance to gain internationally accredited qualifications in their lives and this programme provides them with an opportunity to enhance both their work and their interpersonal skills.”

Dr Corrinda Essex offered her congratulations to all candidates and added that receiving qualifications is a tremendous milestone in anyone’s life that should be celebrated.  

Kerry Yon extended thanks to employers, assessors, tutors and internal quality assurers for their dedication in assisting candidates.  Kerry ended the ceremony offering a quote from Harry S Truman:

‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’

Two pictures are attached.

SHG

30 June 2015

Councillors will be holding a series of Constituency Meetings during the month of August 2015.

Members of the public are invited to submit topics for discussion to the Councillors’ Office at The Castle by no later than Friday 17July 2015. Topics can be submitted via telephone no: 22590 or email: sec.em@helanta.co.sh.

A summary of answers which Councillors were unable to deal with during the February and March meetings will be published next week.

SHG

30 June 2015

Andy Liddell of MOD’s Salvage & Marine Operations division – currently on St Helena to lead on the operation to remove oil from the RFA Darkdale wreck – has issued a revised arrival time for the main vessel for the operation, the Pacific Dolphin – and has repeated the recent presentation that he gave at the St Helena Museum for use on local TV.

Andy said;

“Our start date for the operation has been slightly delayed, as I am now expecting the Pacific Dolphin – the large offshore support vessel from which most of our work will be conducted – to arrive in James’ Bay this Thursday, 2 July. 

 “The second vessel, the Pacific Supporter, is expected on Sunday 5 or Monday 6 July, to assist with other tasks, including laying the moorings for the tanker. The large tanker itself will subsequently arrive in mid-July, and will be quite a sight in the Bay.”

 Two pictures of the Pacific Dolphin are attached.

TV

Andy’s presentation, including multiple illustrations and underwater footage, can be seen on Local TV 2, at the following time:

• Approximately 7pm each day from this Wednesday, 1 July 2015, until and including Sunday 5 July.  On Friday and Saturday, the Darkdale film will follow immediately after the SAMS News

SHG

29 June 2015

The Environmental Management Division of the Environment & Natural Resources Directorate (ENRD) has this week launched an information leaflet on St Helena’s Waste Management Services.

Waste Management Services – Information Leaflet

ENRD became responsible for the Solid Waste Management Strategy and all regular operations on 1 April 2015 and will be introducing new and improved services on the Island. These will include a public recycling facility, incinerator, hazardous waste disposal point – plus further redevelopment of the Horse Point Landfill Site. The purpose of the information leaflet is to inform the public of the new services and improvements being made.

The leaflet outlines the importance of waste management services on a small Island such as St Helena – and its link to goal three of the Island’s Sustainable Development Plan – Effective Management of the Environment. To this effect, communal and individual wheeled bins were recently introduced and distributed throughout the community – proper use of these bins will prevent scavenging by animals and birds and will reduce litter.

Information is also provided on acceptable domestic waste (e.g. paper, cardboard, plastic film, kitchen waste) and unacceptable domestic waste (e.g. vehicle batteries, motor oil, and electrical equipment) – including advice on the safe disposal of these items. There is also information on composting, recycling and news on the Horse Point Landfill Site redevelopment.

Environmental Risk Manager, Mike Durnford, said:

“Effective waste management is crucial anywhere and no more so than on St Helena, to maximise efficient use of landfill space. Providing a safe environment for both public and commercial users of the Horse Point Landfill Site is also of paramount importance.

“Some of the changes and improvements to the waste management service are a direct result of the training and exposure through the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management undertaken earlier in the year.

“I hope the public will enthusiastically engage with the changes being made to minimise waste and promote ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’, which is a significant step in the right direction for St Helena.”

From 1 August 2015, there will also be new public opening times for the Horse Point Landfill site. Opening times will be as follows:

Monday to Saturday – 9am to 3pm

Sundays and Public Holidays – Closed

For personal safety, visitors are asked to please comply with signage and any directions given by the landfill staff.

A copy of the information leaflet is attached to this press release and will be published in this week’s newspapers.

SHG

29 June 2015

St Helena’s Audit Service has recently recruited a new member to its audit team, Gavin Barlow.  Gavin is currently on Island for a 2 year contract and will be in charge of the office’s operational delivery as Senior Audit Manger.  He will supervise the financial audits of SHG’s financial statements, and will assist with training and provide general assistance to the Chief Auditor as well as the current local staff.

Gavin explained:

“The most pressing aspect of the role is completing our backlog of audits.  Currently we are focusing on audits for 2012/13 – due to SHG moving to an accrual based system and operating in line with IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) – and the Audit Service is working hard to complete this build up of assignments.

“I am looking forward to this challenge and assisting in improving work and the Audit Office in general – I feel it is the right step in my career and that it offers a really unique experience.”

After completing his Honours Degree in Accounting, Gavin completed his traineeship at PricewaterhouseCoopers in South Africa.  He then moved to the offices of the Auditor General of SA (AGSA) – auditing the National, Provincial and Local Public Sector accounts.  He spent two years with the AGSA’s International Business Unit, who served as external auditors of several United Nations agencies, and is well travelled, having visited over 13 countries, including America, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Liberia.

SHG

29 June 2015