Chief Justice Charles Ekins has today in Open Court given permission for the Judgment in the case of Re R. to be published. The Judgment can be found on the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/supreme-court-judgments/
In future and where appropriate, Judgments will be published in the same location on the SHG website.
24 April 2015
An SHG Extraordinary Gazette Notice has this afternoon been issued seeking to amend the Register of Electors by adding names of persons who wish to be registered and removing the names of persons who are no longer resident on St Helena.
These proposed amendments to the Register of Electors are in accordance with regulation 7 of the Registration of Electors Regulations 2009 – and persons wishing to comment or object should do so in writing to the Registration Officer, Gillian Francis, at the Castle, by no later than 4pm on Wednesday 29 April 2015.
The Gazette Notice is available on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government-gazettes/
SHG
23 April 2015
Next Monday, 27 April 2015, HE the Governor will depart for Cape Town, en-route to the UK.
The Governor will be taking a period of leave, but whilst in Cape Town and London he will meet with colleagues and others with an interest in St Helena.
The Governor will return to the Island in July. In his absence, Sean Burns, Head of the Governor’s Office, will serve as Acting Governor.
SHG
21 April 2015
As is customary on St Helena, HE Governor Capes hosted a Garden Party at Plantation House on Saturday 18 April 2015 to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday (which falls on 21 April).
Despite changeable weather invited guests gathered under a large marquee in front of Plantation House to enjoy drinks and refreshments.
In his speech on the day, Governor Capes spoke about the imminent Airport opening and the new opportunities and challenges it will bring for St Helena.
Governor Capes said:
“In July, just a couple of months from now, an aircraft will land at St Helena Airport for the equipment calibration tests. That will be a day for the history books and a hugely symbolic moment for St Helena as we approach a new era of air travel connecting this Island with the rest of the world – a new era that will also bring with it new opportunities and new challenges.
“Because, just as St Helena stands on the brink of that new era of air travel, so too it stands on the brink of a journey to growth and prosperity – a journey that leads away from the years of decline to the prospect of a vibrant, confident and successful St Helena – a St Helena that offers a promising future for all who live on this jewel of an Island. That is the vision, that is what we are working for.
“Of course, we must expect some obstacles on the journey… But at last, St Helena has the opportunity to grow and to make her way in the world. Understandably, the Airport and the coming of air access is the big story, the exciting story, but as I mentioned at the recent ESH Opportunities Fair – or ‘Good News Friday’ – there is much important work underway, across the board and on many levels, to help strengthen and modernise vital services for the community.
“For example, a major upgrade of our General Hospital will begin this year. Just across the way from here, at Cape Villa, construction is already well advanced to provide additional, modern accommodation for those in our community who need a little extra care and support – and of course, the former residents at Sundale are already enjoying fine new accommodation at Ebony View. Our new Safeguarding Directorate has expert staff and additional funding to ensure that a quality service is available to all who need it. And so much more is underway, or in the pipeline, to improve services to the community.
“On the education front, last year we saw the best ever GCSE and A level results. We must always invest as much as possible in our young people so that they are properly equipped to participate in the opportunities ahead.
“I know that several hard working Saint graduates will be returning to St Helena this year, to take up employment, putting their education to good use, to help St Helena advance on its new journey. I warmly congratulate them – and others before them – for their achievements.”
Governor Capes also congratulated Aldhelm Garner for his achievement of becoming St Helena’s first locally trained and recruited Solicitor.
Governor Capes took the opportunity to highlight an event to mark the reopening of High Knoll Fort, following essential repairs, which will take place on Saturday 25 April 2015.
Following HE’s speech, he invited guests to join him in a loyal Toast to HM The Queen which was immediately followed by the National Anthem courtesy of the Gettogether’s Orchestra and the Salvation Army Band.
SHG
20 April 2015
A new Director of Health, Dr Darren Clarke (photo attached), has been appointed on a two-year contract and will take up his position on St Helena in June 2015.
Darren’s professional background spans more than 30 years in State and Commonwealth Government health-related organisations in Australia, initially as a clinician and then predominantly in management, quality improvement, regulation and academia.
Commenting on his new role, Darren said:
“This role represents an outstanding opportunity and I am keenly looking forward to improving healthcare on the Island and building on the excellent achievements of the current Director, David Jenkins.”
Prior to commencing his present role in 2008, as an Assistant State Manager with the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services, Darren gained extensive experience from 1995 onwards as a Director of Nursing and Health Service Manager in acute and sub-acute services. This included residential and community care activities.
Encouraging a collaborative and team-based approach to healthcare, Darren says that he actively advocates for the adoption of contemporary evidence-based medical practices, particularly through the continual professional development of staff.
Darren commented:
“To enable sustainable, flexible and responsive health systems, it is imperative that appropriate strategies are implemented to address key challenges, such as the increasing demands of an ageing population and rising rates of chronic diseases. Improving the health and wellbeing of St Helenians will be my key objective and can be achieved through dynamic, multifaceted interventions, with greater levels of cooperation, collaboration and integration between the health service and consumers.
“Change is inevitable – there are always new opportunities to embrace and new challenges to overcome. Quality and safety are also inextricably linked and I will be very focused on ensuring that all areas of the health system in St Helena achieve and sustain the highest possible outcomes.”
Chief Secretary, Roy Burke said:
“I am delighted to be welcoming Darren and his daughter to St Helena, especially at this time when our health system is facing significant challenges and changes. Darren brings leadership and a wealth of experience from his previous roles in health.”
During the 1980’s, Darren undertook general nursing training and midwifery training at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. He then completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree, followed by a Master of Nursing degree at Flinders University in South Australia. In 2010 Darren completed a Doctor of Health Science degree at The University of Sydney in New South Wales.
Outcome focused, his interests include organisational and cultural change, organisation development and performance optimisation. Darren is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality.
Darren is married to Dina and they have three daughters – Alexandra (20), Sophia (16) and Isabella (14). Due to family commitments, Dina is remaining in Australia with Alexandra (who is studying medicine at Monash University in Melbourne), and Sophia (who is undertaking studies toward an International Baccalaureate). Isabella is excitedly accompanying her father to St Helena in June.
SHG
17 April 2015
– RELATING TO 2015/16 ELECTRICITY AND WATER TARIFFS
The St Helena Utilities Regulatory Authority has issued its report on a Direction under Section 5 (1) (C) of the Utilities Services Ordinance 2013 – relative to 2015/16 electricity and water tariffs. The report can be found at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/
Issued on behalf of the St Helena Utilities Regulatory Authority
16 April 2015
A major marine and environmental operation to remove remaining oil in the wreck of RFA Darkdale in James’ Bay – led by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) – will commence mobilisation in Cape Town on 1 June 2015. Three vessels will be readied for the operation and the salvage group – including a team of Royal Navy divers – is expected to arrive at St Helena around Thursday 25 June, possibly a day or two earlier if mobilisation goes well. The team plans to complete all phases of the work in James’ Bay by 1 August, with some flex built in to cover adverse weather and technical issues.
On 2 December 2013, the recommendations of an MOD report were published and accepted – including a recommendation that the remaining oil be removed from the wreck. Since then, MOD, FCO and SHG have worked to bring the operation together – all designed to safeguard St Helena’s precious marine environment for the future. Given the scale of the operation and St Helena’s remote location, planning for this work has taken some time. Up to 5000 cubic metres of oil is believed to remain in the wreck and this will now be removed.
The team will be led by Project Director Andy Liddell of MOD’s Salvage & Marine Operations division, supported by Jim Griffiths, MOD Project Manager, and James Brewin, Project Director of prime contractor Swire Salvage. A team of UK Royal Navy divers, lead by Lieutenant Oliver Shepherd, will initially clear ammunition that is on and adjacent to the up-turned hull of the wreck prior to commencing the operation.
The contract awarded to Swire Salvage is to the value of £6.87m which – as the owners of the wreck – is being paid by the UK Ministry of Defence.
Andy Liddell said:
‘The wreck of the Darkdale first came to our attention in 2010 and I am pleased that we are now taking positive action to remove oil from the wreck and minimise the risk of pollution to the beautiful Island of St Helena.
Head of the Environmental Management Division, Ben Sansom said:
‘We welcome this operation, which will ensure the protection of our wonderful marine environment from this legacy pollution risk. The removal of the oil from the wreck will ensure that in the long term there are no ongoing pollution risks from the RFA Darkdale.
‘In the meantime, EMD will continue to provide local knowledge and assistance when requested by the MOD.’
The majority of the work will be carried out from the Pacific Diligence, a large offshore support vessel. In addition, there will be an oil tanker and a smaller offshore support vessel to assist with other tasks, including laying the moorings for the tanker.
The oil will be removed by divers and remotely operated vehicles from the Pacific Diligence, using a technique known as hot tapping, involving the fixing of valves to the hull and pumping of oil without leakage to the marine environment. At the end of the task, the valves will remain on the hull, but otherwise the wreck will remain unaffected. The removed oil will be pumped onto the tanker and taken for safe disposal.
The MOD team has said that although outside of UK waters – and therefore not protected in statute in the same way as some of the wrecks around the UK coastline – the Darkdale is the final resting place of the majority of her crew and will be treated with utmost respect.
Andy Liddell will be delivering a talk on the operation whilst on St Helena (details to follow).
Notes for Editors
The RFA Darkdale was a fleet fuel tanker stationed at St Helena in World War II. In October 1941, she was attacked and sunk by a U-Boat in James’ Bay and since that time she has been slowly seeping oil – visible as a light sheen over the wreck site.
The wreck of the Darkdale lies in two parts. The stern section lies on its port side and has suffered substantial torpedo damage. The bow section lies inverted and is in very good condition given the age of the wreck and the time submerged. This section is estimated to contain between 2,326 and 4,952 cubic metres of oil. The 2012 survey also showed that while there were a small number of shells on or very close to the wreck, there was no evidence of ordnance being scattered more widely across the bay.
The wreck continues to corrode and the eventual release of the oil is inevitable unless this action is taken to remove oil from the wreck.
The most recent background to this operation began in 2010, when the Darkdale leaked a larger than normal amount of oil. Following representations from SHG asking for action to be taken to protect the Island from pollution, MOD surveyed the wreck in 2012 and found that there was likely to be a significant amount of oil remaining on the wreck (see detailed 2012 report on the SHG website at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/).
SHG
14 April 2015
&
ACTS OF BRAVERY AWARDS
Nominations are currently being invited for the Certificate and Badge of Honour Awards, 2015.
These awards are available for the Governor to award to public servants 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.
The Certificate and Badge of Honour awards will be presented later this year. Up to six Awards can be made at any one time.
Nominations are also invited for the Acts of Bravery Awards, 2015.
Nominations should ideally be made to recognise Acts of Bravery that have taken place since the last call for nominations in February 2014.
Nomination forms for the 2015 awards (and further information) can be requested by e-mail from Mrs Carol George, Corporate Services Executive Manager on email: carol.george@sainthelena.gov.sh or telephone: 22695.
Completed forms should be returned in a sealed envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” to the “Executive Secretary, Honours Committee” at the Castle by Friday, 15 May 2015.
SHG
14 April 2015
Two Foreign Office officials with responsibility for St Helena will pay a brief visit to the Island from the morning of Sunday 19 April, departing via Ascension Island on Tuesday 21 April.
Alex Cameron, Head of the Falklands and Southern Oceans Department, and Mairi McKinstry, Desk Officer for St Helena and Ascension Island will meet a cross section of the community, including Councillors, officials, and representatives of the business community and NGOs.
Having spent some time on official business in Cape Town, Alex and Mairi will undertake a short programme on Ascension Island before returning to the UK.
SHG
14 April 2015
Basil Read has published its Annual Environmental Report (AER) 2013-14 on the St Helena Airport Project. This report provides an overview of the environmental performance of the Airport contractor, over the reporting period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014.
Performance is monitored against a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), grouped under the following headings:
Of the 30 KPIs, 17 (57%) indicators have been fully attained. Nine are unachieved, three have been partially met and there is one indicator (hectares rehabilitated) that is not applicable, as planting plans had not been developed at that time.
Overall there has been significant progress since last year, with improved performance against seven indicators, with thirteen remaining positive. However, performance against five indicators had dropped. These include:
The AER also presents information relating to the following aspects of the project:
The AER is available online at: http://www.sainthelenaaccess.com/news/publications/ as well in hard copy from the Public Library and the Access Office.
Halcrow will present an overview of the AER to interested parties at the Stakeholder Engagement Forum on Thursday 16 April at 7pm at the Canister, Jamestown.
Further information can be obtained from Robert Kleinjan of Halcrow via email Robert.Kleinjan@ch2m.com or on tel: 24258
SHG
14 April 2015