Category: Press Releases

The primary schools will be hosting their annual Athletics Day at Francis Plain on Friday 1 March 2024.  All parents, guardians and members of the public are invited to attend.  The sports will start at 09:45 and end at approximately 14:30.

As this is a school event, the primary sector would appreciate if all spectators could adhere to the following conditions in the interests of the safety of the children:

• No animals will be allowed on Francis Plain for this event.
• Only the appointed marshals, helpers, invited guests and school team leaders will be allowed on the field for the duration of the event.
• Only school appointed photographers will be allowed on the field to photograph the event.
• No alcohol is allowed.
• Smoking is restricted on the whole of Francis Plain for this event. Persons wishing to smoke must do so outside of the Francis Plain and school premises. The allocated smoking area is away from the school along Watercourse Road.
• All litter is to be put into the bins provided.

Parking in the area behind the pavilion and adjacent green shed or alongside of these areas is not permitted as this is the muster point for Prince Andrew School staff and students in the case of a fire or other emergency. However, the ring road will be open for parking.

Please note, if parents/guardians wish to transport their children home after the event they are asked to ensure that they make the respective head teacher of the school or the child’s class teacher aware of this on the day so that all children can be accounted for.

We look forward to your support in making this a successful day for our children.

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Last year it was announced that a number of reforms to policing would take place as part of a wider reorganisation to the structure of St Helena Government (SHG). These reforms to the Royal St Helena Police (RSHP) are aimed at strengthening transparency, performance management, community confidence and assuring the continued development of our policing service across both St Helena and Ascension.

Central to these important reforms is the implementation of a new Police and Crime Panel. The membership of the panel will be:

• Governor (Chair)
• Administrator, Ascension Island Government (AIG)
• Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs, St Helena Government
• Elected Member of the St Helena Legislative Council (selected by the Legislative Council)  
• Portfolio Director, Safety Security and Home Affairs (SSHA)
• Crown Prosecutor
• Chief Executive Officer, Equality and Human Rights Commission

The panel will scrutinise police performance, assess progress against the objectives listed in the Police and Crime Plan and, if required, make recommendations to the Governor regarding desired improvements. The panel will also review complaints that may have been raised against the police.

In addition, several other important changes have also been implemented.

An independent peer review process for serious complaints has been established in conjunction with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC). This will allow officers in the HIOWC to scrutinise and review how the RSHP investigates serious complaints about its services or staff, further enhancing transparency and confidence in our islands’ policing.

During the past year, Ascension Island Government (AIG) and RSHP have worked closely together to improve support to the police officers based in Ascension and to ensure that the level of service provided by RSHP is consistent across both islands. This is enabling the deployment of officers between St Helena and Ascension. This allows them to undertake important training and development activities, as well as facilitating the deployment of specialist staff to support investigations where required.

A key element of the police reforms is to monitor the confidence our communities have in the police service. Annual community surveys will be conducted to assess the impact that police activities have had on community confidence, identifying areas that need to be improved.

Coordination between RSHP and other public services is key to efficiency and the most effective use of public funds. To ensure that this takes place, formal agreements have been put in place between RSHP and the SSHA portfolio and between RSHP and AIG. 

Governor Nigel Phillips, said:

“An effective community focused police force requires public trust and engagement. It is my earnest hope these reforms will help foster that through increased transparency and multiple feedback mechanisms. I particularly welcome our engagement with Hampshire and the Isle of White Constabulary as it allows for ongoing, independent assessment and development of our police service. Let me also thank our dedicated police officers for their service.”

Chief Minister Julie Thomas, added:

“The Police and Crime Panel draws inspiration from UK models but remains focused on existing St Helena governance arrangements. The panel improves oversight but does not assume broader legislative roles, which are reserved for the Legislative Council”.

The first meeting of the Police and Crime Panelwill take place in April 2024. We welcome input from all community members and stakeholders as these reforms progress.

For more information about this matter please contact Chief of Police, David Price, by telephone on (00290) 22626 or by email through david.price@sainthelena.gov.sh. You can also view the Police and Crime Plan online at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/St-Helena-Police-Service-Police-and-Crime-Plan-v1.1.pdf.

Q&A

Why are these police reforms necessary?

The reforms aim to strengthen public trust and confidence in the RSHP by promoting transparency. Partnership between police and the community is vital for an effective police service and underpins the principle of community policing.

What role will the new Police and Crime Panel play?

The panel will monitor police performance, foster better community engagement, and provide advice and guidance to ensure we align policing policies and priorities with public needs on both St Helena and Ascension.

How will the reforms impact public safety?

Expertise sharing with HIOWC will enable RSHP officers to gain experience and develop skills which will allow them to better serve our communities. Stronger connections between police and communities across both islands will also promote and improve public safety.

How can residents provide input on the reforms?

Residents can attend meetings of the panel, follow updates online or via the media, or reach out to Police and Crime Panel members directly with questions or suggestions once the panel has been established.

#StHelena #RSHP  

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At the Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday 24 October 2023, the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP): Phase Two Pipeline was approved. The Phase Two Pipeline outlines EDIP’s priority projects over the next five years.

The programme is split into two stages. The focus of stage one will be the planning activities that will set the projects up for success, including developing all of the necessary designs. Stage two will focus on the construction and implementation of the approved solutions. 

Although the Phase Two Pipeline covers the next five years, the programme’s priorities will deliver significant elements of the Government’s Vision and Strategy 2022 – 2025, focusing on:

• Completing all existing Phase One Pipeline projects, which include Rupert’s Cargo Handling Facility and the rehabilitation of Side Path and Field Road
• Developing wastewater solutions for Half Tree Hollow and Jamestown
• Building a new prison
• Implementing renewable energy solutions in the national power grid
• Development of a water resources management plan which will prioritise investment requirements within the water sector

If and where there is flexibility within the programme, the projects listed below will also be developed and considered for future EDIP funding:

• Development of a Special Economic Zone
• Improved road network
• Enhanced primary education facilities
• Development of a dedicated primary health care facility

Executive Council also approved the continuation of the EDIP Micro Projects budget.  This budget allocates £150,000 each financial year to small projects which can be delivered within one year, and which will make a positive impact on the island’s infrastructure and economy. The expansion of the HM Prison, Jamestown Wharf landing steps and erection of bus shelters are some of the projects which were all delivered under this funding stream.

Chief Minister, Julie Thomas said:

“The EDIP is crucial to St Helena’s effective infrastructure and is providing the building blocks needed to transform the island’s economy. The Phase Two Pipeline outlines how our infrastructure programme will support economic growth, create job opportunities as well as investment opportunities, and ensure that high quality services are delivered by the government in an asserted effort in taking positive steps in achieving our Vision, which is to build a sustainable environment that creates opportunity and inspires social and economic progress ensuring a better quality of life for all.“

The EDIP Phase Two Pipeline can be found on the Publications Archive page of the SHG website through www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications.

#StHelena #EDIP #PhaseTwoPipeline

The Programme Management Office is pleased to advise that following an open procurement exercise conducted in December 2023, SHG has entered into a contract with Ambledale Workshop Ltd to undertake renovation and refurbishment of the Middle Landing Steps at the Wharf in Jamestown. 

Works are due to commence on site from Monday 26 February 2024 and completion of these works are programmed for the end of May 2024.   

The Middle Landing Steps will be closed for the duration of these works.   

Members of the public will be kept informed of progress and are thanked for their understanding during this time.

Notes to Editor:

In 2019, Executive Council gave approval for an annual budget of £150,000 under the Economic Development Investment Programme for ‘micro-projects’, or those projects that can be implemented relatively quickly with a low total cost (i.e. £50,000 or less). This budget is intended to support projects that may not have easily quantifiable benefits, but do directly support strategic economic development goals (e.g. increasing tourism, promoting a green economy, etc) or have the potential to improve future infrastructure investments or even reduce any potential litigation cases against SHG.

#StHelena #EDIP #MicroProjects

SHG

20 February 2024

Following a packed week of events, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, departed St Helena earlier today concluding his five-day visit to the island.

This historic visit marked the first time a Speaker of the House of Commons has visited St Helena.

Sir Lindsay has long been a champion of the British Overseas Territories (OTs), and has used his Speakership to give the OTs a voice and platform in the UK Parliament. He was therefore eager to learn more about the UK’s second oldest Overseas Territory.

Whilst here he engaged in a number of activities to honour the island’s culture, community and history, as well as St Helena’s stunning and unique environment. This involved visits to a range of significant St Helenian landmarks and points of interest, including historical sites like High Knoll Fort, and infrastructure crucial to the island’s future, such as the recently operational fibre optic Cable Landing Station.

He held discussions with elected members and ministers, and addressed the Legislative Council, the St Helenian counterpart to the UK Parliament.

Sir Lindsay planted a tree in a new endemic garden, named in his honour, and encouraged students and young persons to re-establish a St Helena Youth Parliament.

Speaker Hoyle also presented 192-year-old Jonathan the tortoise with his Guinness World Record certificate recognising him as the oldest ever recorded tortoise/chelonian.

On his visit, Sir Lindsay Hoyle commented:

‘It has been an absolute honour to be the first Speaker of the House of Commons to set foot on the beautiful island of St Helena – one of our treasured British Overseas Territories. 

‘I received such a warm welcome and met so many interesting people, who gave me a real insight into the challenges of living on one of the remotest islands on earth – but also the optimism they have for the future. 

‘I hope my visit will help strengthen further the bonds between our UK Parliament and the St Helena legislature, and I look forward to building on that relationship in the years to come.’  

Photos

#StHelena #SpeakeroftheHouseofCommons

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Existing contracts for the delivery of public bus services with Joshua’s Taxis and Colin’s Garage will come to an end at the end of this month, having been in place since March 2016.

For several months SHG has been in discussions with current and potential providers to ensure that services continue after the end of February.

As a result, Colin’s Garage will continue to provide the Sandy Bay (Route E) and Blue Hill (Route F) services.

Negotiations are ongoing with transport operators for services for the Longwood, Levelwood and St Pauls/Half Tree Hollow areas. Whilst it is expected that arrangements for these routes will be secured, it is possible that we will see a reduced level of service on them from 1 March 2024.

Further press releases will be issued with details of the services that will be available from 1 March 2024 once negotiations have been concluded.

#StHelena #PublicBusService

The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, arrived at St Helena earlier today to begin his five-day visit to the island. This is the first ever visit by a Speaker of the House of Commons to St Helena.

Sir Lindsay has a full schedule of engagements and activities. This includes meeting with a range of charity and business groups, young people and schoolchildren, along with the Legislative Council, Executive Council and officials. He has also been invited to attend and address a formal sitting of the Legislative Council on Friday morning.

Whilst here, Sir Lindsay is keen to encourage the revival of the St Helena Youth Parliament and will also be planting a tree in a new endemic garden.

Sir Lindsay was received at the airport by the Governor, Chief Minister and Speaker Gunnell, before travelling to the Governor’s official residence, Plantation House. Whilst there he met our oldest St Helenian resident, 192-year-old Jonathan the tortoise. Sir Lindsay is the proud owner of a pet tortoise, so was delighted to be able to present Jonathan with his Guinness World Record certificate recognising him as the oldest living chelonian (tortoises, turtles and terrapins).

#StHelena #SpeakeroftheHouseofCommons

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Councillors are hosting another round of constituency meetings in February and March. This round of constituency meetings will be attended by all seven councillors and all five ministers. 

Topics that will be discussed in detail are:

• Budgets
• Air access and shipping
• Capital infrastructure

These meetings are also an opportunity to raise any issues that you may have that fall outside of the topics listed.

The constituency meetings will start at 7:30pm and will be held on the following dates at the locations listed.

Date	Venue	Chairperson
Monday 19 February 2024	Sandy Bay Community Centre	Cllr Turner
Thursday 22 February 2024	Half Tree Hollow Community Centre	Cllr Coleman
Tuesday 27 February 2024	St Michael’s Church, Rupert’s	Cllr G Brooks
Thursday 29 February 2024	Harford Community Centre	Cllr Bargo
Monday 4 March 2024	Kingshurst Community Centre	Cllr Midwinter
Wednesday 6 March 2024	Jamestown Community Centre	Cllr G Brooks
Thursday 7 March 2024	Blue Hill Community Centre	Cllr Turner

Please note that the constituency meeting due to be held on Wednesday 21 February at the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre has moved to Thursday 22 February.

Councillors are looking forward to your participation.

Legislative Council

13 February 2024