Category: Public Announcements

Susan O’Bey, currently SHG’s Director of Strategic Policy and Planning, has been appointed as Enterprise St Helena’s new Deputy Chief Executive for Economic Development.  Susan’s new role – which she will take up next week – will include supporting the incoming Chief Executive to deliver Enterprise St Helena’s strategic agenda, enabling its business plan to be turned into reality. Susan will take responsibility for the overall day to day management and operation of ESH.

Reporting to the incoming Chief Executive for Economic Development (CEED), the Deputy CEED will have the key liaison role with St Helena Government (SHG), the Department for International Development (DfID), the Air Access Office (AO) and will support the CEED in partnering the private sector.

Priorities will include supporting Saint businesses, developing and promoting tourism, attracting Saint and international investors, up-skilling Saints, growing the fisheries sector and developing local financing packages.

Commenting on her new role Susan said:

“I am really looking forward to working with the team at Enterprise St Helena. As the Island continues to prepare for air access, the right decisions and actions around investment and tourism become even more crucial. Enterprise St Helena has a pivotal role to play in supporting the private sector and bringing together the views and actions of all key stakeholders to ensure that the Island is ready in all aspects when the first flight lands in 2016.”

Governor Capes said:

“Susan O’Bey is an outstanding public servant. She will bring to ESH valuable experience and skills to help drive forward our vital work to position St Helena to exploit the opportunities that air access will make possible. Susan will have my full support in her new role.”

SHG

31 January 2014

Due to very favourable weather conditions and good speed, the RMS St Helena’s estimated time of arrival at St Helena is now 4.30pm this afternoon (Friday 31 January) – improving upon the 7.30pm timing previously advised. SHG 31 January 2014

HM Customs and Revenue (HMCR) would like to advise the public that with immediate effect all telephone communication for HM Customs, Port Management and Income Tax should be directed through the HMCR switchboard on telephone 22287.

Please note that all other numbers previously associated with these sections are no longer in use.

SHG

30 January 2014

Executive Council met today with one item on the Open Agenda – the new RMS Shipping Schedule for 2015 to 2016.  The proposed schedule was agreed by ExCo and is attached.  The new schedule runs from 25 March 2015 to 12 April 2016.

 For convenience, the current full RMS schedule is below.  

Complete Schedule

2015 to 16 Shipping Schedule

SHG

28 January 2013

Following the diversion of the RMS to Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Monday 27 January 2014, due to a medical emergency onboard, the vessel is now en-route to St Helena.

Her estimated time of arrival is 7.30pm on Friday 31 January 2014.

Pending weather conditions, this time might be improved upon slightly. It is intended to disembark all passengers shortly after the ship’s arrival.

The RMS schedule for Voyage 203 has been revised as below:

RMS St Helena – Voyage 203

ARR STH – c19.30hrs Friday 31 Jan

DEP STH – 12.00hrs Sunday 2 Feb

ARR ASC – 09.00hrs Tuesday 4 Feb

DEP ASC – 15.00hrs Tuesday 4 Feb

ARR STH – 15.00hrs Thursday 6 Feb

DEP STH – 14.00hrs Friday 7 Feb

ARR CT – 18.00hrs Wednesday 12 Feb

SHG

29 January 2014

At 2.30pm this afternoon, local time, the RMS arrived at the pilot station in Walvis Bay, Namibia, as planned.

Shortly after, two paramedics came onboard from a launch, and the patient was prepared for evacuation. The transfer went smoothly and family members accompanied the patient, who has now been transferred to hospital.

At 3.40pm local time, the operation was complete and the RMS departed Walvis Bay for St Helena. The RMS will monitor her speed over the next 12 hours and advise accordingly on the estimated time of arrival at St Helena.

Credit goes to the crew and medical team for a rapid and professional response.

SHG

28 January 2014

Executive Council met today, Tuesday 28 January 2014, at 09.30am.  There was one item on the open agenda.

This item was the proposed RMS Shipping Schedule for 2015-2016.  This schedule had previously been distributed to stakeholders for consultation, and a variety of responses were received. 

A question had been raised about the possibility of a voyage to Tristan, but the expected demand on berths as a result of Airport construction and economic development ruled this out. The schedule post Airport opening has yet to be confirmed and possible voyages such as this will be considered nearer the time, when more information is available.

Executive Council approved the RMS Shipping Schedule from 25 March 2015 to 12 April 2016. SHG will publish the new schedule later today.

During the closed agenda, Executive Council was asked to consider an increase in Freight and Passenger tariffs. In 2012, Executive Council agreed in principle that there would be an annual increase in the tariffs in line with inflation. It was also a condition of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed for the Airport that efforts would be made to reduce untargeted subsidies, which included the RMS. As inflation is currently running at around 1%, Executive Council agreed to this small increase in tariffs, with effect from 1 April 2014.

The next item was that the Supplementary Appropriation Bill be introduced as Government Business in the forthcoming meeting of Legislative Council.  Supplementary Appropriation is required to increase the budget approved in March 2013, to cover unforeseen expenditure.  This will be fully debated in the formal Legislative Council meeting on Friday 14 February 2014.

This relatively short meeting concluded at 10.15am.

ExCo

28 January 2014

SUMMARY

On the evening of Wednesday 22 January, the Highway Authority and Roads Section held a Public Meeting at Harford Community Centre to seek views on the possibility of a Road Closure to repair the road from Longwood Gate to Hutts Gate. Approximately 65-70 residents and businesses attended to give their views and ideas, and thanks are given to all who contributed.

The meeting split into nine different tables, with each asked four key questions.  Responses from each group were written down and afterwards all rejoined for a wider discussion about the options and impacts raised.  The sheets were collected for analysis. The results are as follows:

 What are the 3 biggest impacts to the Community?

• Schools/Nurseries (5 out of 9)
• Workers (4 out of 9)
• Private Contractors/Deliveries (3 out of 9)

 The Roads Section really needs blocks of 4 hours of full closure to carry out the works.

• What times during the week are best to allow this?
• Are there any times during the week when more than 4 hours could be provided?
• Are there any periods when the road simply has to be open?              (eg. 8-9am to get to work)

Unsurprisingly, there was no consensus reached on these timings.  However, there was a lot of detail provided in the responses which shows what the impacts are at any given time.  This information will be critical in making the decisions.

 How would you feel about Traffic Lights or Delays at other times?

• Traffic Lights or Stop/Go and Delays would not be a problem if properly managed and clear to drivers (5 out of 9 agreed)
• Traffic Lights and Delays would not be a problem if properly managed and delays kept to 3-4 minutes (1 out of 9 agreed)
• Traffic lights cause delays & frustration and complicate arrangements (1 out of 9 agreed)

Are there any other ideas for anything we can do to reduce the impact?

Top 3 answers:

• Wait until the Haul Road is available as an alternative route (7 out of 9)
• In the meantime, patch up, tidy up, clean up (6 out of 9)
• Open the road from Hutts Gate to Willow Bank, out to the Clinic (4 out of 9)

Work is now underway to consider the information provided and to investigate further some of the ideas – before a meeting of the Highway Authority on Wednesday 29 January.

A second public meeting will then be held at Harford Community Centre on Wednesday 5 February at 7.30pm.  All are welcome to attend.

SHG

28 January 2014

A Bye-Election, to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council, will take place on Wednesday 12 March 2014.

To vote in the Bye-Election or to stand for Legislative Council your name must be on the Register of Electors. The deadline for additions and changes to the Register closed on Friday 10 January 2014 – eight new names were added and several other changes were made to the Register.

The Register is currently being amended to reflect these changes. Once finalised, the new list will be published and will be the Register used for the upcoming Bye-Election. It is expected that the new Register will be published next week.

The Writ of Election, which will state the last day and time for receiving nominations to elect a new Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council, will be issued once the new Register is published.

Further information on the Register and Writ of Election will be issued shortly. 

SHG

28 January 2014