Category: Public Announcements

His Excellency, Governor Capes has, following consultation with the recently elected Council Committee Chairmen, appointed the following Elected Members to serve on the five Council Committees (the first listed Member will be the Deputy Chairman of that Committee):

Economic Development Committee

Chairman: Hon Lawson Arthur Henry

Members:
Hon Derek Franklin Thomas
Hon Leslie Paul Baldwin
Hon Gavin George Ellick
Hon Mrs Bernice Alicia Olsson

The Economic Development Committee is responsible for the policies of Government Business concerning Economic Development, Investment, Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, the Labour Market, Communications (including media, telecommunications, and postal services), Shipping and Port Management.

Education Committee

Chairman: Hon Mrs Christine Scipio-O’Dean
Members:
Hon Leslie Paul Baldwin
Hon Wilson Charles Duncan
Hon Cyril Robert George
Hon Derek Franklin Thomas

The Education Committee is responsible for the policies of Government Business concerning Education, including, Schools, Skills and Lifelong Learning.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee

Chairman: Hon Cyril Robert George
Members:
Hon Wilson Charles Duncan
Hon Gavin George Ellick
Hon Anthony Arthur Green
Hon Mrs Christine Scipio-O’Dean

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee is responsible for the policies of Government Business concerning Infrastructure (including Utilities), Environmental Management, Lands (including Crown Estate), Land Use Planning and Development Control and Forestry.

Public Health Committee

Chairman: Hon Ian Sebastian Rummery
Members:
Hon Anthony Arthur Green
Hon Wilson Charles Duncan
Hon Brian William Isaac
Hon Mrs Bernice Alicia Olsson

The Public Health Committee has responsibility for the policies of Government Business concerning Health (including Health Services, Preventive Health Services, Environmental Health, and Public Health), Disaster Management and Health and Safety.

Social and Community Development Committee

Chairman: Hon Nigel Dollery
Members:
Hon Brian William Isaac
Hon Gavin George Ellick
Hon Ian Sebastian Rummery
Hon Derek Franklin Thomas

The Social and Community Development Committee is responsible for the policies of Government Business concerning Social Security, Social Services, Pensions, Housing (including Government Landlord Housing), the Legal System (including the Constitution, Human Rights, and Immigration), Civil Society (including non-government organisations), Community Centres, Culture and Heritage, Leisure, Sports and Recreation and Employment Rights.

The responsibilities held by each Committee are subject to relevant laws and to the policies of Executive Council. Each Committee is also responsible for any policy relating to legislation relevant to their subject areas.

An Extraordinary Gazette Notice formalising the Council Committee Membership along with the Legal Notice for the Council Committees (Constitution) Order 2013, will issue later today.

SHG
13 Aug 2013

CORPORATE SERVICES – STAFF MOVEMENTS

On Wednesday 14 August 2013, Corporate Services will see a valued member of staff, Derek Henry, Manager of Central Administration in Corporate Services, transfer to the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate (ENRD). Derek will take on the role as Deputy Director for ENRD, working closely with the interim Head, Paul McGinnety.

Throughout his time, Derek has worked closely with the Deputy Chief Secretary, Gilly Francis, and assisted in the restructure of the Secretariat to Corporate Services.
Derek’s departure should be a smooth transition, as Carol George (former Health and Social Welfare Director) moved to Corporate Services on 7 August to begin the handover process. Carol will also take on additional functions – moving forward Public Service Modernisation (PSMP) initiatives and working with Directors to deliver a high level of customer service. Carol’s will be a more Corporate focused role and her title will reflect this as Corporate Services Executive Manager.

Carol, who has worked at Health and Social Welfare for five and a half years, commented:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the time spent working in my previous role and I am looking forward to the new role in Corporate Services.”

These movements reflect staff mobility within SHG, expanding skills and experience.

Derek said:
“I have enjoyed working in Corporate Service and I look forward to the challenge of working within a newly restructured Directorate to help further aid its development.”

SHG
12 August 2013

THE ST HELENA HOUSING DESIGN
CAN EUCALYPTUS OFFER A SOLUTION?

Bamboo was the word on everyone’s lips when Bilbao Architects (BAT) won first prize in the Housing Design Competition, sponsored by SHG in April of this year.

The competition has played a big part in helping SHG draw up a design brief for the homes it will be funding. The design emphasises the use of local materials, accessibility and energy efficiency.

Housing Executive, Andy Crowe said:

“BAT is currently working on a demonstration house using laminated bamboo, but if more homes are to be built from it we still need an entrepreneur willing to set up a local processing plant and grow more bamboo.”

In the meantime the potential of Eucalyptus as another source of building material has also been identified.

Andy said:

“Eucalyptus, if treated properly, can be termite resistant and so can be a good building material. Recently I was on the wharf looking at a ten foot high pile of imported timber, which seems so unnecessary when we have 40,000 eucalyptus trees on the Island. We have the Sawmill, the trees and, as Government, we would be very keen to kick-start the industry with a commitment to fund houses built in this way.”

SHG will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday 21 August from 5 – 7pm in the ENRD offices at Scotland to discuss the obstacles to developing a Eucalyptus timber industry and how they can be overcome. Agricultural experts, planners and funders will all be there.

Anybody interested in investing, building or working in a timber industry are welcome to attend. Please call Karen Isaac on 2270 or email (karen-isaac@enrd.gov.sh) if you would like to attend.

SHG
12 August 2013

Julian Morris, Chief Executive for Economic Development, has said that he will be returning to the UK later this year.

Julian said:

“For a number of family reasons, we have to return to the UK. I have been doing work for the Island for more than five years and I will have been lucky to do this marvellous job for just over two years. I have enjoyed every minute of it and have been fortunate to work with a committed and talented team of Saints who want to help St Helena have a better future. They will continue to help give the Island the future it wants.

“This important work will continue and has just been endorsed and strengthened by DFID agreeing to support a new 3 year programme for Enterprise St Helena that will take it beyond the airport opening.

“St Helena has a bright future ahead and as the airport opening gets closer each month, many conversations are changing from ‘will it happen?’ to ‘this is what I am doing or planning to do’. St Helena’s very real prospects in many areas – tourism, fishing, agriculture and services – are being confirmed by increasing interest from world class hotel groups and tourism businesses. Most importantly, Saints too are looking at the new opportunities now coming into view. Whilst living on Island we have remade a number of old friendships and have made some new friendships that we look forward to continuing and of course, to flying back to the Island!

“I will be working with the team to ensure a smooth handover and transition.”

Commenting on Julian’s announcement, Governor Mark Capes said:

“Julian brings valuable experience, great energy and enthusiasm to what is a truly challenging job. In short order, he assembled and motivated a new team to form Enterprise St Helena which has delivered real gains on several fronts towards achieving the goals in our Economic Development Plan. He will be a hard act to follow and on a personal note, I will greatly miss his friendship and good humour”.

SHG will begin the recruitment of a successor shortly.

SHG
9 August 2013

ST HELENA STATISTICAL YEARBOOK

The newly published Statistical Yearbook is a collection of official statistics from St Helena Government (SHG) and Private Organisations. The yearbook consists of 9 chapters, beginning with a commentary summarising key statistics and trends, followed by various tables and charts.

Sections of the Yearbook include Population and Vital Statistics, Public Finance, External Trade and Prices, Wages and Employment. The Statistical Yearbook is published on the SHG website at the following link: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics/.

Regular statistical publications allow easy access and up-to-date figures for official statistics on St Helena. This information is essential for monitoring, planning and decision making. The Statistical Yearbook contains a range of information which can be used by anyone, both on Island and overseas. Regular users of the Yearbook include Government Directorates, Councillors, private businesses and the general public. Some examples of information frequently used include inflation rates, population estimates and visitor counts, often used to monitor the “health” of the Island’s economy. Potential Investors can also view the External Trade section.

The Statistical Yearbook provides a wealth of statistical evidence in one convenient location.

SHG

9 August 2013

‘St Helena Science’ – St Helena’s first ever Environmental Research Conference – will be held in the new Information & Business Centre, upstairs at the Canister on Wednesday 14 August from 9:30am to 1:00pm

The conference aims to raise the profile of St Helena’s environment, improve understanding and to present the findings of recent environmental research

Tara Pelembe, Environmental Management Director, explained:

“The idea is to promote science on Island, with a particular focus on the environment – St Helena graduates who have researched on Island will be encouraged to present their findings, along with other current research that is being carried out by the environment community.”

The Environmental Management Division will work closely with Enterprise St Helena and the St Helena National Trust to ensure that all relevant environmental issues and research are covered.

The public are encouraged to attend hear about the valuable research being carried out on St Helena’s wonderful environment. 

SHG

9 August 2013

 

Working in the Health Service since 1972, David Jenkins has taken on the role as the new Director of Health and Social Welfare on St Helena. David, who has previously been registered as a nurse, has a range of experience in different settings in the Health field. Previously working as Hospital Director at North Yorkshire’s, Northallerton Hospital and before coming to St Helena David was the Director of Health and Social Services on the Falkland Islands for three and a half years.

David commented: “I have direct experience of working in small communities and understand the challenges they face. Being a Hospital Director previously in the United Kingdom, I took forward strategic operational development and corporate assurance for the Strategic Health Authority. I am able to take from these experiences relevant skills to implement an Operational Performance Management system in the Health Service on St Helena. A system that links to clinical performance and risk management that can stand the test of time well after my departure.”

With 216 staff, the Health and Social Welfare Director is also in charge of Primary Secondary and Community care. Within the healthcare system, David has already indentified some improvements he wishes to implement during his contract – the development of clinical training and diagnostic support systems, the expansion of telemedicine and linkages with specialists in the UK. One of the major difficulties identified by David is the requirement for Clinical Staff to be competent in a wide range of specialities – and the training of staff who have indicated they welcome changes in improving their output.

David said: “No one person can take the Health Service forward. I will be talking to all staff regarding their opinion on improvements in delivering a more efficient service. I will also be holding future Public Meetings to engage with the community. The changes in the Directorate will not happen overnight but will be rolled out over a period of time. These changes will be challenging but I am excited to be implementing them and moving the Healthcare service forward.”

SHG

9 August 2013

 Good afternoon.

Executive Council met on Tuesday 6 August with four items on the agenda.

This was our first meeting as an Executive Council.  The Governor had previously suggested to ExCo Members that the ExCo report could in future be made by an elected member of Executive Council, and this was agreed.

The first item was a request for the introduction of an Extra Statutory Concession for Charities in respect of Withholding Tax, under the Income Tax Ordinance and Income Tax Regulations.

This simplifies the administration of the accounts for Charities as the Withholding tax will not be deducted from interest paid by the Bank of St Helena.  There is no loss or gain to SHG but this will benefit all charities.

Items 2 and 3 related to two applications for dispensation under the Immigration Control Ordinance 2011 and these matters are private to the individuals concerned.

Item 4 was the application for Development Permission for the Proposed Conversion of Sundale House into a Prison.  This was an open agenda item and the public were invited to attend.  It was pleasing to see that there were at least 12 people in the public gallery.

The matter before Executive Council was to advise whether development permission should be granted following a recommendation from the Land Development Control Board to proceed with redevelopment of Sundale.

All of those involved knew that this was a very difficult and controversial item. We had previously discussed this with the other elected members at three separate meetings and it was impossible to reach a unanimous decision.  As was confirmed at these elected members meetings, Executive Council must be the final decision makers.

Each member had an opportunity to speak in an open and frank manner.  Considerable concern was raised about the original decision making process, the limited detailed information available and the lack of engagement with the local community.

It was highlighted that a new prison would cost at least £2.5 million compared to the cost of converting Sundale, which is estimated in the region of £750,000.  There is not enough money in the St Helena Capital Programme budget for all proposed projects.  Council will shortly be prioritising the capital spend for this year which has a budget of approximately £5 million.  Additional money that would be spent on a new prison is money that cannot be spent on other essential projects.

The decision was made to advise the Governor to proceed with the conversion of Sundale House, as it is the only viable, affordable option.  It was a close vote, with 3 in favour and 2 against.

Members of Executive Council recognise the sensitivity of this decision for the residents of Half Tree Hollow and the recommendation was made that a senior  officer is appointed to be community liaison officer both during construction and then when the prison is in operation.  Furthermore the Prison Service needs to adopt a good neighbour policy in relation to local residents.

It was also recommended that following completion of the construction, that an Open Day be held so that all members of the public have an opportunity to view the prison before it is taken into use.

The elected members of Executive council will arrange a meeting in HTH this week to explain our decision.  The location, date and time will be announced once arranged.

ExCo

6 August 2013

Ken Baddon, St Helena’s Attorney General, has informed the Governor that he will be leaving his post – at a date yet to be decided – after October this year.  Ken also made this known to ExCo today.

Ken said:

“A year or so ago, I agreed with the Governor that I would stay in office for a further year after the end of my then current contract, which ended in October 2012, and perhaps then for a year beyond that.

“After nine consecutive years, I feel a growing sense that I owe some time to my aging mother in England.  I need to be somewhere from where I can get home faster and more frequently – to spend time with her, and also with my son and my Partner. 

“I have therefore agreed with the Governor that I will stay for a short time beyond October of this year, but not for a further year.

“I have enjoyed my time here, the many friendships I have formed, and my work.  If it were not so, how could I have stayed so long?  I very much hope that I shall return one day.  Perhaps, unless I return sooner, I will book my place on the first flight into St Helena international airport.

“Pending my departure, there is a lot of work to do.  I intend to get on with it – and will be making no further comment about my departure until its date is known.”

Governor Mark Capes said:

“Since the day I took up my appointment as Governor of St Helena, Ken has given me consistently first class advice and support. He is an excellent colleague who has given tremendous service to the people of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.

“I’m sure that I speak for his many friends and colleagues in the public service who will greatly miss his friendship and expert advice. I am grateful to him for agreeing to my request to stay on beyond the end of his contract in October, so that we have time to identify a successor and so ensure a smooth transition.”  

SHG and the Attorney General will, later this year, agree a mutually acceptable departure date, at which time it will be announced.

St Helena Government will shortly begin the process of recruiting Ken’s successor.

SHG

6 August 2013

Following on from the eight–day seminar programme between the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Delegation and Councillors, the induction process continues, with scheduled briefing sessions between Councillors, Heads of Directorates, Senior Officials and Enterprise St Helena.

These include sessions with Environment & Natural Resources, Education & Employment and Health & Social Welfare.

These initial discussions will allow Councillors to better understand the work of Directorates, to meet the staff delivering services and to ask questions. The induction programme for Councillors has the overall aim of strengthening and promoting good Governance in St Helena.

The briefing sessions scheduled are shown below.

BRIEFING SESSIONS WITH SHG DIRECTORATES & ESH
Enterprise St Helena Wednesday, 7 August,12 noon (inc. hosting lunch) ESH Offices an 2 on Main
Environment & Natural Resources Directorate Thursday, 8 August, 9 am ENRD Offices
Education & Employment Directorate Monday, 12 August,1 pm AVEC
Health & Social Welfare Directorate Tuesday, 13 August,1 pm H&SW Conference Room
Corporate Services
(Corporate Support
Corporate Policy & Planning
Corporate Finance
Corporate HR
Internal Audit ) Wednesday, 14 August, 9 am Council Chamber
Airport Project Directorate Thursday, 15 August (time TBC) Council Chamber
Police Directorate Friday, 16 August, 1.30 pm Council Chamber

SHG
6 August 2013