Category: Public Announcements

Preparation for updating the Register of Electors for St Helena has now begun. Members of the public are encouraged to come forward if they would like to add their names or amend any details to the current Register, dated 7 February 2014. 

The Provisional Register of Electors will issue on Friday 9 May 2014 and once published any person eligible to have their name on the Register can apply for any changes. Requests will need to be made in writing (on the correct form or by letter) to the Assistant Registration Officer at the Castle within 14 days of the Register being published.

Persons may apply to amend the Register if they would like to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island, correct the name of someone who has married, correct an Electoral district or change an address.

Persons eligible to be registered must:

• Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
• Have St Helenian status or be the spouse of life partner of a person who has such status

 

There are some exceptions, such as mental incapacity or someone serving a prison sentence of 12 months or more.

If you are temporarily absent from St Helena for the purposes of employment, education, or medical treatment, but you are otherwise eligible, you can still have your name registered.  This only applies if you have been absent for less than 30 months and have been absent for less than 625 days in the last 30 months.  There is a special form to be used, and this is available from the Assistant Registration Officer at The Castle, or by email from: cofcouncils@sainthelena.gov.sh

The Provisional Register (and application forms) will be available for inspection at the Office of the Assistant Registration Officer at the Castle or alternatively at the Customer Service Centre and Public Library in Jamestown, ANRD Offices at Scotland and all rural sub Post Offices. Copies will also be held by Assistant Registration Officers and the Administrator’s Office on Ascension Island.

Applications to amend the current Register must be submitted to Assistant Registration Officer, Gina Benjamin at the Castle by no later than 4pm on Friday 23 May 2014.

A final Register of Electors will publish on Tuesday 1 July 2014.

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any upcoming General or Bye-Election.

SHG

6 May 2014

St Helena Government, working with the UK Institute of Directors (IoD), recently hosted an intensive six day programme (23-29 April 2014) to provide a development opportunity for existing and aspiring Directors of companies, NGOs and charities on St Helena.

The training was delivered by David Buckle from the IoD (photo attached) and covered the Nature of Corporate Entities, the Role of the Board, Corporate Governance and Tools and Techniques for Directors.

41 people enrolled on the programme and comments received highlighted the impact of the training: “Excellent course – clearly delivered in plain English”, “Great overview to Directorship. I leave the course with valuable theoretical and practical pointers”, “Empowered me to undertake my responsibilities with a sense of purpose for the company”, “…dispelled a number of myths about Boards and Board roles.”

During the training, using case studies and open discussions, attendees were able to see some of the key corporate governance concepts in action and think about how these might be applied in their own organisations on St Helena.

Boards of Directors in public, private and third sector organisations on the Island will be at the forefront of change when the Airport is operational.

Director of Enterprise St Helena, Rob Midwinter, a participant of the programme, commented:

“It is vital that those serving on Boards and Committees (both private and public sector) have a better understanding of what their corporate responsibilities are and how these should be delivered.”

CEO of Connect Saint Helena, Barry Hubbard said:

“All of Connect Saint Helena’s Board attended the recent training event. Having relevant training is essential in any job and as a Board we recognised the value in receiving this training to help us run the business more effectively. The IoD is internationally recognised for its professional standards and David Buckle proved to be a knowledgeable and very experienced tutor who was able to deliver relevant training to the variety of businesses in attendance.” 

Solomon’s Chief Executive, Mandy Peters added:

“Brilliant two-day course – refreshing approach to covering a range of complex issues in a condensed timeframe and excellent use of case studies help illustrate in a very practical way.”

David Buckle summed up:

“Not surprisingly, some of the concepts surrounding the role of Boards – especially the interaction between Boards and management on the one hand and Boards and shareholders/stakeholders on the other, have not, as yet, been well developed on the Island.

 

“I was impressed by the willingness of participants to engage with the subject matter and get the maximum benefit from it – we worked long hours but everyone was still going right up to the last!

 

“This was just a starting point to show how Boards can provide entrepreneurial leadership to businesses on the Island. Many attendees expressed an interest in carrying out further training – especially in the areas of financial risk management and strategy.”

 

The Institute of Directors (IoD) was founded in 1903, and aims to actively promote best practice and the increased professionalism of Directors by creating a real understanding of the unique nature and requirements of the role.

 

SHG

5 May 2014

 

 

Head of the Governor’s Office, Sean Burns, was this afternoon sworn in as Acting Governor, taking the prescribed Oaths in the presence of the Sheriff of St Helena, Mrs Pat Musk MBE JP, in the Governor’s Office at the Castle (photo attached).  Sean’s appointment is effective immediately.

HE Governor Capes accompanied by Mrs Capes departed the Island today (30 April 2014) for a period of overseas business and leave. The Governor will return to the Island on Tuesday 17 June 2014.

 

SHG

30 April 2014

The St Helena Police Service needs the trust and confidence of the local community in order to be properly effective. Changes are being made in policing style to forge closer links with the community, putting public service at the core, protecting and serving the public and delivering a safe environment for all.

The Police Service, as part of the wider Police Directorate, has developed a clear set of values. These values drive the service and how Officers serve the public. Other measures that are being put in place will ensure that the team are community and victim focused and that local links across the Island are strengthened.

Inspector Johnny Thomas is leading the changes and says:

“The St Helena Police Service is putting the Beat back in the community.

“This programme of change will take time and to help me gauge its success, I am keen to understand what the public think of the service we are currently providing. The voice of the local St Helenian community counts – so a St Helena Police Public Satisfaction Survey is about to be launched.”

Survey forms will be available across the Island in local shops (together with boxes to post your completed surveys) in Jamestown, Half Tree Hollow, Sandy Bay, Blue Hill, Levelwood and Longwood. Alternatively, completed forms can be handed into the Police Station or given to any Police Officer. They are also available on the St Helena Government website at the following link: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/forms/

The survey forms are short and will only take a couple of minutes of your time. The Police Service will be grateful for your views. Once completed, the survey results will be published.

SHG
29 April 2014

Chief Secretary Owen O’Sullivan departs the Island tomorrow (Wednesday 30 April) on completion of his contract.

Also leaving tomorrow for a brief visit to Cape Town for personal reasons is Deputy Chief Secretary Gillian Francis.

During the period up until the new Chief Secretary is in post, Assistant Chief Secretary (Performance) Paul McGinnety will take on the duties of Acting Chief Secretary. While Gillian is away from the Island, Corporate Services Executive Manager, Carol George will be appointed as Acting Deputy Chief Secretary.

The new Chief Secretary, Roy Burke, will arrive on Island on Wednesday 4 June 2014.

SHG

29 April 2014

The Post & Customer Service Centre wish to advise Social Benefit recipients, who collect their benefits at Longwood, that due to the Road Closure (between Hutts Gate and Longwood Gate) the issuing of payments from Harford Community Centre will start at 8.45am and end at 9.30am – commencing from this Friday, 2 May 2014, until further notice.

It would be appreciated if recipients could be at the Harford Community Centre between these new times to avoid any delays.

SHG

29 April 2014