Category: Press Releases

In July 2022 the Executive Council agreed a package of measures as part of its Cost of Living Policy. This was in direct response to sharp increases in the prices of essential goods and services in St Helena, and aimed to mitigate the immediate impact of these. 

One element of this was an adjustment to the subsidy applied to the costs of transporting freight between Rupert’s Wharf and Jamestown. Namely, removing the subsidy applied to non-essential goods and targeting this instead to food provisions, animal feed and chilled or frozen containers through an increase in the rate of subsidy for those containers.

Upon review in April 2023, the Executive Council (ExCo) agreed to continue the targeted subsidy until the end of the 2023-2024 financial year, and review this ahead of the commencement of the new shipping service in 2024.

With the financial year coming to a close at the end of March 2024 and the new MACS operated shipping service now in effect, ExCo has determined not to extend this subsidy beyond 31 March 2024.

This means that applications for the existing subsidy will only be processed for the final voyage of the MV Maria da Paz (including the recent arrival of the MV Unicloud) and the first voyage of the MACS service using the MV Karoline. As before, any applications for the subsidy must be submitted within 14 days of the arrival of the MV Maria da Paz and the MV Karoline.

The subsidy was put in place to help offset the significant and acute rises in the cost of certain goods and services to the public, following the rise in these as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With a stabilisation in these costs over the last two years, we consider it an appropriate time to end this subsidy, in line with SHG’s Subsidies Policy www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/51-2020-Annex-A-SHG-Subsidies-Policy-2020.pdf.

Longer term, costs associated with cargo operations should reduce with the transfer of all operations to Rupert’s.

In the interim, support to cover the costs associated with moving the cargo from Rupert’s into Jamestown is being reinstated. This will remain in place until such time that the new port facility in Rupert’s becomes operational. Transition to the Rupert’s facility is currently programmed for June 2024, following the completion of the Field Road upgrade project.

It should be noted that at this time, no changes are proposed to the other measures introduced to mitigate the impacts of high global inflation on the cost of living. This includes the changes to customs charges and the subsidy to Connect St Helena. However, these are being kept under review and it should not be expected that these will remain in place indefinitely.

#StHelena #CostofLiving

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Commonwealth Day 2024 was celebrated today on St Helena. Celebrations focused on assemblies held at Prince Andrew School (PAS) and the three island primary schools. Commonwealth Day is celebrated across the Commonwealth each year on every second Monday of March. This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.

During the assembly at PAS, the Speaker of the House and St Helena Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch President, Cyril Gunnell, delivered a welcoming speech. He spoke about 2024 having a continued focus on young people, noting that this was a continuation from last year’s focus as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Speaker Gunnell, in his welcoming speech said:

“The Commonwealth Day theme for 2024 is ‘One Resilient Common Future:  Transferring our Common Wealth’. This year’s theme highlights how we must harness our strengths by building resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the Commonwealth advantage and fostering a connected digital Commonwealth.”

“Our common future must be both built for, and shaped by, young people. I have confidence in the ability of our young people and I look forward to the restoration of a St Helena Youth Parliament. I truly believe this platform will provide a stable foundation to empower our young people.”

Acting Governor, Stephen Thwaites, read the message from Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III. Attorney General, David Ballantyne, read a message from the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and PAS Student Council Vice President, Erik Robbertse, read the Commonwealth Affirmation.

This year marks the 75^th year of the Commonwealth of Nations. To celebrate and discuss the challenges we as a Commonwealth have overcome in the past 75 years and those we strive to overcome in the future, guest speakers were invited to speak about the following focus areas:

• A resilient environment to combat climate change
• Resilient economies that support recovery and prosperity
• Resilient democratic institutions upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law
• Resilient societies to empower individuals for a peaceful and productive life

Guest speakers included Environmental Officer Terri Clingham, Investment Coordinator Kyle Snow, Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Catherine Turner and Division Commissioner for Girl Guiding St Helena Pamela Ward-Pearce. 

The assembly concluded with closing remarks from Councillor Gilly Brooks.

Shortly after, Speaker Gunnell raised the Commonwealth Flag at the Francis Plain Pavilion as part of the ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ initiative. This initiative aims to inspire participants to join with others throughout the Commonwealth, a family of 56 member states, which has a combined population of 2.5 billion, with more than 60% aged 29 or under, representing around a third of the world’s Commonwealth’s population.

Commonwealth Day assemblies were also held at the island primary schools. They were attended by Elected Members of the Legislative Council who read His Majesty The King’s Commonwealth Day message.

Our St Helena Government UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, has also been invited to attend several engagements to commemorate Commonwealth Day in the UK. Yesterday, Mrs Worboys was joined by Councillor Karl Thrower at a reception hosted by The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP at The Speaker’s House. This was followed by dinner in Central Lobby to mark the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Nations.

This morning, the delegation attended the Commonwealth 75th Anniversary Flag Raising ceremony in Parliament, and will also attend the Commonwealth Observance at Westminster Abbey in the afternoon.

Mrs Worboys will be attending a reception at Marlborough House this evening, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General, to celebrate the Commonwealth Year of the Youth and commemorate our 75th year as a family of nations.

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His Excellency, Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, is scheduled to depart St Helena tomorrow Saturday 02 March 2024, He will travel to the UK for one week, before joining the St Helena delegation and travelling on to Montserrat.

Governor Phillips is due to arrive back to St Helena on Saturday 23 March 2024. When the Governor departs St Helena Stephen Thwaites, FCDO Development Attaché in the Governor’s Office, will be sworn in as Acting Governor.

Stephen will be sworn in following the Governor’s departure, taking the prescribed oaths in the presence of the Sheriff of St Helena, Ethel Yon OBE.

#StHelena #GovernorDeparts

SHG
01 March 2024

At the invitation of the Governor and Premier of Monserrat, a delegation consisting of HE Governor Nigel Phillips, Chief Minister Julie Thomas and Chief Secretary Susan O’Bey is due to travel to fellow Overseas Territory, Montserrat. The Chief Minister and Chief Secretary will depart St Helena on Sunday 10 March 2024. The Governor is departing the island on Saturday 02 March to travel to the UK, before joining the delegation en-route to Montserrat.

The visit has been facilitated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and aims to build links between the two Overseas Territories. Montserrat has a population similar in size to St Helena, and is an Overseas Territory that is also in receipt of Overseas Development Assistance.

Whilst in Montserrat the delegation will meet with the Governor, Premier, members of parliament and officials. Meetings will cover a broad range of topics but will focus on the following areas:

• Governance, policy and corporate leadership
• Fiscal policy, financial accountability and monitoring
• Outcome framework
• Programme management of the Montserrat Capital Investment Programme for Resilient Economic Growth (similar to St Helena’s EDIP), together with asset management and risk management

The party will also be exchanging knowledge on approaches and best practices.

On the visit, Chief Minister Julie Thomas commented:

“I am delighted to be visiting Montserrat. I look forward to meeting with the Governor, Premier Easton Taylor-Farrell, various members of parliament and the Montserrat administration, and building valuable links with an island so similar to St Helena. I have heard a lot about Montserrat’s tenacity, optimism, and most importantly, the kindness and warmth of its people.”

The delegation is due to arrive back to St Helena on Saturday 23 March 2024. Whilst the Governor is off-island, Stephen Thwaites will be appointed Acting Governor. Deputy Chief Secretary Gillian Francis will fulfil the role of Chief Secretary in Susan O’Bey’s absence. Confirmation of which member of the ministerial team has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the Chief Minister’s absence will be provided in due course.

#StHelena #Montserrat

SHG
1 March 2024

On Wednesday 14 February 2024 it was announced that existing contracts for the delivery of public bus services with Joshua’s Taxis and Colin’s Garage would conclude at the end of this month, and that work remained ongoing to ensure services continued after this date.

Last year expressions of interest were invited to provide public bus services beyond February 2024, but no interest was received. For this reason, direct approaches and negotiations have been ongoing with potential service providers to ensure an affordable public transport service continues to be available to those who need it.

The result of these discussions is that the majority of the existing routes will still be provided. However, whilst we have been able to secure services for the majority of routes and schedules, some will be affected and some services will no longer operate. You are therefore encouraged to familiarise yourself with these changes.

With effect from Friday 01 March 2024, the following services will be in effect.

Colin’s Garage will continue to operate routes E and F serving the Sandy Bay and Blue Hill areas. They will also operate a new route D, providing a bus service to the St Pauls, Half Tree Hollow (HTH), Sandy Bay and Blue Hill areas.

Isaac’s Contractors will operate new routes G and H, providing ‘hop on, hop off’’ bus services for the Longwood and Levelwood areas.

Route B, which serviced the HTH and St Paul’s areas, will temporarily no longer operate as per the current timetables. Please see the table below for further details.

District	Route	Bus Route
Longwood and Levelwood	A and C	Joshua’s Taxis will continue to operate routes A and C from the Longwood and Levelwood areas three times a day to primarily meet the needs of shift workers and others who use these routes. With the exception of the following, here will be no change to the departure and arrival times for these routes operated by Joshua’s Taxis:   There will no longer be any late night travel to or from Levelwood and Longwood on Friday and Saturday nights.The Monday to Friday 16:00 journey from Jamestown to Levelwood and Longwood will no longer operate.There will be no public bus service to the airport.
Longwood	G	A new route G, operated by Isaac’s Contractors, will depart Bottom Woods Mondays to Saturdays at 09:15 into Jamestown, with the return journey departing Jamestown at 13:05.
Levelwood	H	A new route H, operated by Isaac’s Contractors, will depart Bellstone, Levelwood at 09:15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays into Jamestown, with the return journey departing Jamestown at 13:05.
St Pauls and HTH	D	A new route D, operated by Colin’s Garage, on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays will depart Jamestown at 08:30 to White Gate, and depart White Gate at 09:05 travelling into Jamestown via Scotland, Rosemary Plain, New Ground, While Wall, Cow Path and Ladder Hill.   This route will also call at Thompson’s Hill on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The return journey from the Grand Parade in Jamestown will be at 13:00 to White Gate and then return to Jamestown arriving at 13:54.   The additional route D journey on Tuesdays from Jamestown to Plantation House will continue, departing Jamestown at 10:10 and returning via White Gate at 12:35. This can be used by any members of the public wishing to travel from Jamestown through to HTH and White Gate. Customers who live in the White Gate and HTH areas can utilise route E should they wish to travel to Jamestown on Saturday mornings.
Sandy Bay and Blue Hill	E and F	Route E will operate on Fridays and Saturdays starting its journey from Sandy Bay arriving at White Gate at approximately 09:57 and departing Jamestown at 13:30. The Monday journey to Half Tree Hollow Clinic will continue also.   Route F will operate on the last Thursday of each month, departing Blue Hill Community Centre at 09:00 and the return journey leaving Jamestown at 13:00.
St Pauls and HTH	B	It has not been possible to secure the services of any transport provider to operate the existing route B as per the previous timetable. Route B, which serviced the HTH and St Paul’s areas, will temporarily no longer operate as per the current timetables.   However a new route D, operated by Colin’s Garage, will cover some of the existing timetabled journeys (See above).   In addition:   The route B journey currently operated by Joshua’s Taxis departing Jamestown at 07:55 travelling to White Wall, then departing at 08:05 into Jamestown and returning at 16:10 Mondays to Fridays will no longer be available.There will no longer be any late night bus service on Friday and Saturday nights

An initial agreement has been set for a period of six months, with a review at the three-month point.

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

Copies of the new timetables for all routes will be available on the SHG website via https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publicservices/publictransportservice/?highlight=bus%20timetable from 01 March 2024.

We recognise that there may be some disruption for some routes and passengers due to these changes. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We endeavour to work on a longer term solution for services from September 2024 onwards, and will provide an update on progress made in due course.

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The Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio (ENRP) has been made aware of people entering the Peaks National Park without authorisation.

The public are reminded that parts of the Peaks National Park are closed to prevent the spread of the tree diseases affecting our endemic plants. These areas will remain closed as long as is deemed necessary whilst work continues to assess the threat of the pathogens and manage their spread. Environmental Protection Notices (EPNs) are in place to enforce these closures.

The EPNs are legally binding. Anyone who ignores these notices and crosses the barriers is committing an offence, for which the maximum penalty is a fine of up to £25,000 or imprisonment for six months, or both.

These notices are placed at various access points within the Peaks National Park alongside physical barriers. This includes locked gates, as at the Cabbage Tree Road entrance and Black Gate Nursery entrance, chains across pathways as at the High Peak entrance or biosecurity tape as at the George Benjamin Arboretum and Cason’s areas.

In December 2023, it was announced that as work remains underway to assess the threat and impact of the pathogens, the closures would remain in effect until at least March 2024. However following a boundary review, the area closed from the Halley’s Mount entrance has been revised and access to the Halley’s Observatory is now permitted. This follows an assessment of spread of the pathogens and how best to manage access to the Peaks National Park in practice. The EPN has been relocated to the boundary of the Peaks National Park which is further up on the pathway. Access into the park from the Halley’s Mount entrance is still prohibited.

If anyone is unsure where the closed areas are and would like further clarification please contact the Chief Environmental Officer, Isabel Peters or Forestry Officer, Myra Young by telephone on 24724 at the ENRP Offices at Scotland during normal working hours.

ENRP acknowledges that reports suggest it is just a small number of persons who are ignoring the EPNs, despite the risk to our precious endemics and at risk of their own prosecution. We would like to extend our thanks to the majority of people who are observing the EPNs and respecting the closures.

Your support is very much appreciated.

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Nominations are now being invited for the following awards.

UK STATE AWARDS – 2025 NEW YEARS 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 2025

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 10 years prior to the date of the award. 

ACT OF BRAVERY AWARD 2025

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 off 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 through 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 Friday 19 April 2024.

SHG

26 February 2024

Today, as the first recipient of the St Helena Open Oceans Fund is out on the open ocean sailing to Cape Town, applications for the next recipient of the grant are being invited.

The fund provides grants to enable a Saint, or somebody closely connected to the island, to take part in a Wavysail trip from Jamestown to Cape Town. The next funded place, for which application are currently being invited, will be departing the island in April.

St Helena is deeply connected to its ocean, and to its ocean-based heritage, including sailing. Wavysail has been frequenting St Helena for a number of years, and alongside St Helena Government (SHG), announced the launch of the St Helena Open Oceans Fund last year. This grant, enabled by a partnership between Wavysail and SHG, encourages inclusive yachting specifically for St Helena’s community through the places on a voyage between St Helena and Cape Town.

Josh Herne was nominated for the first award by two people on the island who knew of his passion for the ocean. They highlighted his work for the St Helena Sea Rescue Service, and his desire to undertake blue-water ocean sailing, but the challenges of doing this from the island. Josh’s application was selected from a number of submissions and he was awarded a place on the first voyage to be funded under the St Helena Open Oceans Fund.

Last week, Josh spent time with the crew of the Wavysail vessel Aurora, including Skipper Dave Immelman and First Mate Heather Deary, getting ready for the voyage of a lifetime, before setting sail. Applications are now open to join Wavysail’s next sailing expedition. This is scheduled to depart Jamestown on 13 April 2024. In the days before departure, the grant recipient will get to meet the skipper and other crew members and prepare for the trip ahead. The recipient will then sail with Wavysail, as a regular member of the crew, under the care of Skipper Dave (Wavy) Immelman and the first mate, both highly experienced sailors.

Whilst this is a major ocean trip so some previous sailing experience would be helpful, there are no minimum requirements in terms of previous sailing experience. Wavysail will provide all the training and support necessary for you to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. They will also advise of all kit to pack and provide all of the safety equipment needed.

The voyage will route west, deep into the South Atlantic, before turning south towards Tristan da Cunha and then finally looping back towards Cape Town, where you will arrive by 25 May 2024. A truly epic voyage.

A few weeks at sea with Wavysail normally costs several thousand pounds, but under the St Helena Open Oceans Fund – which makes this experience significantly more accessible for the community – the recipient will bear no cost for their time on the yacht. The fund also includes the option to stay for up to three nights in accommodation Wavysail will book for you in Cape Town. As with any Wavysail experience, the recipient must cover and arrange their own transport to and from the arrival and departure points, as well as any hotels, meals and expenses off the boat. For instance if you reside on the island, you will need to cover the cost of your flight back to St Helena from South Africa.

You can nominate yourself, or somebody else who you feel would benefit from the experience. Nominations are open until 1 March 2024 (so, be quick!), and Wavysail will inform the successful recipient before 10 March 2024.

To apply for the St Helena Open Oceans Fund visit https://bit.ly/3N83r66.

The grant is open to persons currently living on the island, as well as those who are part of St Helena’s diaspora. You must be at least 18 years old by the time of departure. You will be asked to note the applicant’s relationship to St Helena within the application form.

On the announcement of the partnership Andrew Cowen, co-founder of Wavysail, commented:

“We have been regular visitors to St Helena Island since we started Wavysail Ocean Sailing Adventures in 2019, and our yacht Aurora will be a familiar sight to many islanders. We have always loved the island, and already work closely with many local businesses as well as the St Helena Government. Therefore, this partnership is very special to us too – it is our way of giving something back to the community that has made us so welcome.”

More information about the Open Oceans Fund, including the full terms and conditions, can be found online at www.wavysail.com/OpenOceans. Alternatively you can contact Wavysail directly by email through info@wavysail.com.

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