Yesterday, Thursday 10 August 2023, the artificial turtle nest created at Rupert’s Beach finally saw some activity. After exactly three months, 11 healthy turtles hatched and had made their way to the surface. The hatchlings were carefully removed from the nest and stored in a safe location whilst awaiting night fall for release.
The hatchlings were released at Sandy Bay Beach yesterday evening. Release at Sandy Bay Beach instead of Rupert’s Beach was to ensure the hatchlings had a natural environment with no industrial distractions or obstructions such as artificial lighting and the jetty, increasing the hatchlings’ chance of survival.
There are 144 eggs in the artificial nest which means in the coming days there will be more hatchlings. This is the most important time to remind the public that they should not be disturbed, touched or moved. Green Turtles and their eggs are protected under the Environmental Protection Ordinance, 2016. It is an offence to disturb this nest. Anyone found doing so will be prosecuted.
On Wednesday 9 August 2023, Prince Andrew School held their annual Celebration of Achievement Awards Ceremony. Students, parents, guardians and invited guests gathered in the school hall to celebrate the presentations.
The first presentation was for Academic Achievement. Certificates were presented to Bethany Bennett (Year 7), Joel Henry-Williams (year 8), Andrea Peters (Year 9), and Blane Bennett (Year 10).
Certificates for Outstanding Progress were awarded to Le-Andro Roberts (Year 7), Kallis Constantine (Year 8), Brandon Wade (Year 9), and Eric Robertsse (Year 10).
The Sports Award went to sportsmen Zach Francis (KS3) and Blane Bennett (KS4) and sportswomen Aimee Joshua (KS3) and Bobbi Clingham (KS4).
Individual awards were presented to end of Key Stage Three (KS3) Year 9 students:
Music Award – Riley Yon
Food Technology – Kaylin Knipe and Ana-Lucia Roberts
Design & Technology – Sitthipon Sawangwong (Om) and Ana-Lucia Roberts
Art – Ana-Lucia Roberts
All students who received certificates were also awarded book vouchers which they could redeem at the start of the new school year.
Penelope Bowers and Valerie Yon received the Heart of Gold Award for their outstanding commitment to the students they work with, going above and beyond to ensure their individual roles with in the school was fulfilled with the utmost professionalism as well as being team players in ensuring the school ran smoothly on a daily basis and for always being supportive of colleagues.
English Teacher, Sandra Peters, and ICT Teacher, Ellen-Rose Piek, were also awarded certificates for achieving their Level 4 Cambridge International certificate in Teaching & Learning.
A special presentation was also made to Valerie Yon who will be retiring after 49 years working in the Education Sector, particularly with children with special educational needs.
For the second part of the ceremony, parents, guardians and invited guests were treated to musical entertainment by KS3 students.
The school band ‘Black Dots’ performed three songs and the schools Enrichment Programme choir ‘the Voice’ sang two songs. There was also a dance performance by Year 8 students and solo performances by Jodie Thomas and Aisha-Skye Bagley as well as Aiden Isaac on the keyboard. Year 7 and 8 students also read poems which they wrote during their English lessons.
Acting Head Teacher, Barbara Osborne, concluded by thanking all those who made this special school event so successful, along with the invited guests, parents and family members who came to support their children and the school. Barbara ended by wishing both students and staff a well-earned restful school holiday.
Congratulations are extended to all students and awardees.
On Tuesday, 1 August 2023, two development applications were approved at a meeting of the Governor in Council.
Proposed renovations of HM Prison Workshop for additional cells and conversion of the Pipe Store into a Rehabilitation Area
The first application was a proposal to renovate HM Prison Workshop for additional cells and the conversion of the Pipe Store into a rehabilitation area for the Prison.
The Pipe Store is a Grade III Listed building, which was parted into two, resulting in the north side of the building used as a workshop for HM Prison, and the southern portion used by the Saint Helena National Trust for the intended use as a Flax Museum.
The development application consisted of the renovation of the inside of the existing rehabilitation area by the installation of stud partitioning to form three cells, communal area, two toilets and two shower cubicles, which will be connected into the existing manhole, leading into public sewer system. The new rehabilitation area will then be utilised within the southern portion of the building (the Pipe Store), where the steam engine is located. The intention is to enclose the steam engine, and overlaying the existing timber floor with heavy duty rubber matting.
The rationale for this proposal is that due to the increasing imprisonment rates on the Island, additional cells are of utmost importance for the HM Prison Service to increase its operational resilience to meet the needs of the courts. It was therefore considered necessary to expand the footprint of the current Prison with a least imposing effective solution. This proposal will allow for additional prisoner accommodation until the new prison facility is constructed and in operation over the coming years.
Following discussion Council advised, and the Governor agreed, that the development application for the proposed renovations of the HM Prison Workshop for additional cells and conversion of the Pipe Store into a rehabilitation area should be granted with conditions.
Proposed construction of a Storage Facility near the Combined Building at St Helena Airport
The second application was a proposal to construct a storage facility within the confines of St Helena Airport site, with a footprint of approximately 700 square metres. The development will be a steel frame structure with a grey IBR cladding. No excavation is needed to accommodate the proposal.
Currently Airport equipment and vehicles are stored in various locations split primarily between the Terminal, Combined and Storage Compound Buildings, and the surrounding areas. The manner in which these items are stored result in some of them being moved unnecessarily into the open which has a negative impact to their life span. The proposed additional storage facility will ensure that the Airport has additional, purpose-built storage capacity to accommodate equipment and vehicles.
Following discussion Council advised, and the Governor agreed, that the development application for the proposed construction of a storage facility at the St Helena Airport to accommodate equipment and vehicles should be granted with conditions.
Over the past three weeks of updates on the Agricultural Production Project, focus has been on works undertaken at the ex-Agricultural Development Authority (ex-ADA) fields, securing pastures with appropriate fencing and clearing these of invasive and non-native species, along with pastures that had storage units and animal shelters constructed on them.
This week (the final week) works that have been undertaken thus far on the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings and Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland, will be featured.
SHG owns the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings and the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland. The Poultry Units and Brooder Unit at Scotland is in use but the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings has been vacant for a few years.
All Units require extensive upgrade and refurbishment so that they are brought into full functionality to maximise the use of the assets.
Surveys of the Units have been undertaken and designs and specifications for the Units have been prepared and signed off by the Increased Agricultural Production (IAP) Project Board.
Renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings
Following an open procurement exercise carried out in May/June 2023, SHG has entered into a contract with Ambledale Workshop Ltd to undertake the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings. The total value of this contract is £39,879.89.
Works commenced on site on the 24 July 2023 and are programmed to be completed in October 2023.
Renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland
A full planning application had to be submitted for the designs of the Poultry Units at Scotland as construction of a gabion wall and concrete ramp was being proposed. Planning permission for the proposal was approved on the 23 June 2023.
Following receipt of the Planning permission, tender documentation was finalised and an open procurement exercise commenced in July 2023. A site visit for possible tenderers was undertaken on the 01 August 2023 and the procurement exercise is due to close on the 11 August 2023.
It is expected that the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland will take 4-5 months to complete.
All of these works will help to increase economic activities and productivity by developing the SHG agricultural estate.
All contracts advertised under this project, was carried out through open procurement and have only been advertised locally. The tenders have reached a wide range of the private-sector businesses.
St Helena Government proudly announces the successful conclusion of Mr David Butler-Trump’s transformative three-week deployment as the Overseas Territories Prison Advisor (OTPA) from the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Overseas Territories Justice Programme which is funded through the UK Government Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Overseas Territories Justice Programme.
During this period, Mr Butler-Trump held essential meetings with key stakeholders, including Governor Phillips, the Governor’s Office, Safety, Security & Home Affairs Portfolio (SS&HA) Director, Safety Heads of Service, Programme Management Office, Police, Probation, Prisoners and Prison Visiting Committee. The focus was on enhancing prison officer training, progress checking the new prison build project, and conducting a comprehensive inspection of HM Prison Service.
Mr Butler-Trump commented:
“HM Prison Jamestown has served the small Island community well over the years, however, the visit emphasised the need for a new prison facility and it was excellent to see detailed, well thought-out plans for a new prison and conduct a site-visit. The Prison Service are working diligently under challenging circumstances and the prison management have proactively implemented several of my recommendations already as part of their strategic development plan. It was encouraging to see initiatives such as joint working between HM Prison and Royal Saint Helena Police Service to share resources and expertise to improve Officer Safety.”
SS&HA Portfolio Director, Alex Mitham, and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) would like to thank Mr Butler-Trump and his team for deploying and funding the visit to help enhance custodial outcomes.
Superintendent of Prisons, Jay Kendall, concluded:
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Mr Butler-Trump and the Ministry of Justice Overseas Territories Justice Programme for their invaluable assistance. The training sessions were exemplary, equipping our officers with cutting-edge expertise. Special recognition goes out to newly appointed officers Pedro, Blessing, and Karim, who excelled in the rigorous training programme.We eagerly await the inspection report and are committed to implementing recommendations to further enhance our capabilities, safety, security, and rehabilitation within HM Prison Service.”
Over the past three weeks of updates on the Agricultural Production Project, focus has been on works undertaken at the ex-Agricultural Development Authority (ex-ADA) fields, securing pastures with appropriate fencing and clearing these of invasive and non-native species, along with pastures that had storage units and animal shelters constructed on them.
This week (the final week) works that have been undertaken thus far on the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings and Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland, will be featured.
SHG owns the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings and the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland. The Poultry Units and Brooder Unit at Scotland is in use but the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings has been vacant for a few years.
All Units require extensive upgrade and refurbishment so that they are brought into full functionality to maximise the use of the assets.
Surveys of the Units have been undertaken and designs and specifications for the Units have been prepared and signed off by the Increased Agricultural Production (IAP) Project Board.
Renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings
Following an open procurement exercise carried out in May/June 2023, SHG has entered into a contract with Ambledale Workshop Ltd to undertake the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry Unit at Farm Buildings. The total value of this contract is £39,879.89.
Works commenced on site on the 24 July 2023 and are programmed to be completed in October 2023.
Renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland
A full planning application had to be submitted for the designs of the Poultry Units at Scotland as construction of a gabion wall and concrete ramp was being proposed. Planning permission for the proposal was approved on the 23 June 2023.
Following receipt of the Planning permission, tender documentation was finalised and an open procurement exercise commenced in July 2023. A site visit for possible tenderers was undertaken on the 01 August 2023 and the procurement exercise is due to close on the 11 August 2023.
It is expected that the renovation and refurbishment of the Poultry and Brooder Units at Scotland will take 4-5 months to complete.
All of these works will help to increase economic activities and productivity by developing the SHG agricultural estate.
All contracts advertised under this project, was carried out through open procurement and have only been advertised locally. The tenders have reached a wide range of the private-sector businesses.
The following change is made to St Helena’s Marine Regulation, in accordance with the Fishing Control Notice (https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/EX-GAZ-45-Fishing-Control-Notice-1.pdf):
With immediate effect there will be a temporary suspension on the catch and retention of Red Slipper lobster (Stump). This temporary restriction will continue until 1 January 2024, when a new fishing year will start on St Helena.
This suspension of Stump lobster catch and retention applies to all types of fishing, including spearfishing and lancing from a vessel or from the shore.
The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Stump in St Helena waters for each fishing season (1January to 31 December) is 500kg per year across all fishing types [see Notes to Editor section].
Fishing catch return analysis has shown that fishing activity for this lobster species to date has resulted in the TAC for this species having been reached. It is therefore necessary for a Fisheries Control Notice to be issued suspending the catching of Stump until the new fishing year starts.
A person who contravenes a Fishing Control Notice commits an offence under section 72 (2) of the Fisheries Ordinance, 2021 and is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £25,000.
For further information please contact Marine Enforcement Officer, Kelly Jonas, at the Port Control Office, the Wharf, Jamestown, on tel: 25947 or via email: kelly.jonas@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Notes to Editors
The Darwin Plus 077 Project entitled ‘Sustainable fishery management for St Helena’s lobster populations’ (which was implemented between 2019 and 2021) collected baseline data to understand both lobster species (Long leg and Stump) found in St Helena’s inshore waters. This work allowed lobster experts to estimate the stock of the species and understand their biology and ecology (such as their growth rates and reproduction). From this work a number of the current management and monitoring measures for lobsters was introduced and incorporated into fisheries licensing.
The results of this work estimated the maximum stock of Stump to be approximately 4.4 metric tonnes in any given year. It was recommended that the harvesting of approximately 10% of the maximum stock each year would be a safe and sustainable level of harvesting of the species. The TAC was therefore set at 500kg per fishing year and that Stump with a carapace length of more than 95mm could be harvested (this size restriction ensures that the Stump has had time to breed).
The Statistics Office has released a detailed report on the most recent Business Survey, conducted in 2022. The purpose of this survey was to collect information about the business environment, the labour market, and the economy on St Helena, to help guide policy-making and development.
The timing of the survey was planned to coincide with the ending of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine requirements, but this also meant that the survey period coincided with the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Unfortunately, this had an adverse effect on the number of responses. Nonetheless, useful data were collected, including information about the composition of the private sector workforce, and about occupations that are both hard to recruit for and which also have a significant impact on the operation of businesses.
Some highlights from the report include:
Around one in six of all businesses which responded to the survey reported an increase in demand for their products or services, with just under one on four reporting a fall. In the combined sector of Finance, Insurance, Information, Communication, and Real Estate; three out of every four responding businesses reported a fall in demand, and in the Hospitality Sector (Accommodation and Food Services) one out of every two responding businesses reported a fall.
Almost all responding businesses reported increases in costs, with almost 40% reporting that costs were increasing dramatically.
However, 57% of responding businesses also reported increased opportunities for growth, with 24% reporting that their business is expanding.
Around a half of responding businesses reported that they had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; unsurprisingly, the most affected industry was Hospitality (i.e. Accommodation and Food Services), with 88% of responding businesses in that sector reporting that they were affected.
56% of respondents reported that they expect the new fibre-optic cable to benefit their business.
High costs, low demand, and staffing difficulties were the most prominent constraints or barriers to running a business reported by respondents, with the cost of fuel being mentioned specifically by several businesses. Other common issues mentioned were difficulties in procuring imported goods, due to disruptions in supply chains and high freight costs.
In December 2020, the previous Government took the decision to test the market through an Expression of Interest (EOI) in respect of SHG’s shareholdings in Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc (Solomon’s).
Whilst this Government is committed to encouraging private enterprise and competition in St Helena, it must also consider the wider public interest when making decisions. Solomon’s is the largest corporate entity on the Island and is a conglomerate with interests in a wide variety of economic sectors. Given its size and economic scope, it was not considered appropriate that SHG should dispose of its shareholdings at this time.
As a result, Executive Council have requested that officials should undertake a full options analysis, with specialist support, to assess whether and how any future disposal of shareholdings should be considered. This will evaluate the risks and benefits, and what options might be available for full or partial disposal of shares. Once complete, the government will then be able to appropriately consider what course of action to take.
All of those who responded to the Expression of Interest have been written to and advised of this decision.
In December 2020, the previous Government took the decision to test the market through an Expression of Interest (EOI) in respect of SHG’s shareholdings in Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc (Solomon’s).
Whilst this Government is committed to encouraging private enterprise and competition in St Helena, it must also consider the wider public interest when making decisions. Solomon’s is the largest corporate entity on the Island and is a conglomerate with interests in a wide variety of economic sectors. Given its size and economic scope, it was not considered appropriate that SHG should dispose of its shareholdings at this time.
As a result, Executive Council have requested that officials should undertake a full options analysis, with specialist support, to assess whether and how any future disposal of shareholdings should be considered. This will evaluate the risks and benefits, and what options might be available for full or partial disposal of shares. Once complete, the government will then be able to appropriately consider what course of action to take.
All of those who responded to the Expression of Interest have been written to and advised of this decision.
