Category: Public Announcements

 

Stored Water Levels in Redhill Drop as Consumption Rises

The continued unseasonably dry weather on St Helena means that the water situation in affected areas remains serious. 

The headline message this week is that following the sunny weather and an increase in water consumption in the Redhill distribution zone over the weekend, we are starting to draw down on our supplies in the Redhill system.  

This means we are slowly losing stored water. Consumption in the Redhill zone in June was an average of approximately 260 cubic metres per day.  In July so far, it is at an average of about 280 cubic metres per day, and continues to creep up.

As a consequence of this, the Harpers 2 (Earth Dam) is now being used to feed Scotts Mill reservoir, which now holds just 13 days’ supply.

This serves as a reminder to the public that the situation in the affected areas remains serious.  As a result of increased consumption, we are now drawing down on the reserves that we were previously building up. 

Residents served by the Redhill distribution plant are once again urged to continue to lower their water consumption.  The Island as a whole is reminded that the Hosepipe Ban is still in force.  We must all maintain our efforts to reduce domestic water consumption wherever possible and stretch this resource, until we return to normal rainfall patterns.

Piping of additional water to the Scotts Mill reservoir continues to be necessary, until we receive significant rainfall.  The laying of pipework and preparatory work for the pump, to transfer water from Levelwood into the Hutts Gate system, continues.

The latest weather forecast indicates a 10-20% likelihood of rain over the next three days, followed by drier weather later this week.  Ahead of us lies the dry period between September/October and March.

SHG

16 July 2013

 

The public are reminded that tomorrow, 17 July 2013, St Helena will go to the Polls in the General Election 2013. This year, with a single constituency, persons on the Electoral Register 2013 will be able to vote for up to 12 Councillors to represent the whole Island for the next four years. But you don’t have to cast 12 votes – you can vote for your favourite one, or two, or three – any number in fact, up to 12.

The 20 candidates standing for this year’s General Election, listed below in alphabetical order by surname, are:

Leslie Paul Baldwin, Half Tree Hollow

Audrey Mavis Constantine, Jamestown

Nigel Dollery, St Pauls

Wilson Charles Duncan, Longwood

Gavin George Ellick, St Pauls

Cyril Robert George, St Pauls

Stedson Robert George, Alarm Forest

Anthony Arthur Green, St Pauls

Cyril Keith Gunnell, Jamestown

Earl Hilton Henry, St Pauls

Lawson Arthur Henry, Alarm Forest

Brian William Isaac, Longwood

Brenda Elaine Moors, Alarm Forest

Bernice Alicia Olsson, Jamestown

Ian Sebastian Rummery, Alarm Forest

Christine Lilian Scipio-O’Dean, Longwood

Derek Franklin Thomas, Half Tree Hollow

Lionel George Williams, St Pauls

Raymond Kenneth Williams, Blue Hill

Mervyn Robert Yon, St Pauls

Polling Stations will be at the Levelwood, Harford, Jamestown, Blue Hill, Sandy Bay, Kingshurst and Half Tree Hollow Community Centres and at Judges’ Lodge, Alarm Forest. They will be open from 10am and close promptly at 7pm.

The counting of votes will begin in the main hall at Prince Andrew School at approximately 8pm – after which the results will be declared.

SHG
16 July 2013

Paula Swain (picture attached) arrived on St Helena on 14April 2013 to work in Internal Audit. Paula came to the Island as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee programme for an exposure visit to gain experience in a new field of work.

Internal Audit provides independent and objective assurance to St Helena Government that its governance, risk management and internal control frameworks are operating effectively.  The section looks beyond financial risks and consider wider risk implications such as St Helena Government’s reputation, employment relationships, continuity, quality of services and legislative compliance.

Up until now, Paula has learnt the standard procedures in Internal Auditing, where she commented that her work has been more word based compared to her previous job, as an Accounting Clerk on Tristan Da Cuna.

Paula said:

“St Helena has far more people than Tristan, which has a population of two hundred and seventy.  The working population is around 200.  There is no Internal Audit, so this is a totally new experience for me.  This exposure will help me gain essential auditing skills, which will allow me to use many of them in the office on my return.”      

Paula has been offering support to her fellow Internal Auditors and has so far, assisted in the completion of one assignment. When Paula leaves the Island in a few months, accompanied by her family, she will spend 6 weeks on Cape Town, until making the final trip of seven days to Tristan. 

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee fund works with experts from around the Commonwealth to develop a programme that can maximise an individual’s potential – providing the investment required to build and share skills, knowledge and experience – giving people the opportunity to shape their own future, their communities and the Commonwealth as a whole.

SHG

15 July 2013

Student April Lawrence, of Half Tree Hollow, has been awarded a Second Class Honours Upper Division Degree in Sociology and Psychology by the University of Portsmouth.

April left the Island in 2010 under the Post-School Scholarship Programme to undertake three years of study for her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Psychology.

April’s degree covered a variety of modules which included Sociological Analysis, Analysing Social Data, Self and Society and Abnormal Psychology. She also studied Childhood, Youth and Social Problems, Deviance, Crime and Social Control, Neighbourhoods and Communities, Risk in Society and Essential Social and Cognitive Psychology. In her third and final year, April’s study focused on Young People, State and Society, Violence, War and Society, Forensic and Clinical and Health Psychology.

While at University, April also undertook relevant voluntary work experience as a Contact Centre volunteer with an organisation called The E.C. Roberts Centre where she was involved in supervising the contact between parents and children who rarely see each other due to difficult circumstances. April also completed training which enabled her to become a Mentor with Motiv8, an organisation that engages and supports young people in accessing better life chances.

Speaking with April about her achievement, she said:

“I can confidently say that another goal of mine has been achieved and I would like to thank the Government of St Helena for providing me with my scholarship to fulfil this opportunity.

“If anyone is thinking of going to University, then do pursue it. You will not be disappointed.”

SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, added:

“April has been a hardworking and dedicated student and thoroughly deserves her award. She will make a positive contribution to the Social Services on St Helena and is a shining example to other young people on the Island.”

April will graduate from the University of Portsmouth on 23 July 2013. Following a short holiday in the UK, April will return to St Helena in October.

SHG
16 July 2013

In April this year, a defibrillator was generously donated to the Island by the UK South East Coast Ambulance Service. Since then, Prison Manager, Martin David, a Police Tactical First Aid Trainer and medic, has been conducting training courses with staff of the Police, Customs, Life Guards and members of the St Helena Dive Club.  Trainees for the course were selected due to their involvement with the emergency and rescue services and their location, including at the swimming pool.  

Currently training takes place at the Prison spanning between two and four hours depending on the trainee’s knowledge and experience in First Aid.

At present, the defibrillator is not aimed at sea rescue but can be deployed in a case where it might be needed in the wharf area. The defibrillator is currently housed at the HM prison, in Jamestown, as it is the only 24 hour running operation in the area.

The use of the community defibrillator differs to that of the Hospital – all personnel qualified through the First Aid training sessions can operate it. So far, seven people are qualified to use the machine, but it is hoped more than thirty will qualify by the end of July.

There is only one community machine in operation but Martin says: “We would always be keen to receive any future donations.”

SHG

16 July 2013

 

 

 

A review of SHG’s Public Service Modernisation Programme (PSMP), carried out by the DFID Overseas Territories Governance Advisor, and drawing on the implementing partner (Oxford Policy Management) – has been recently completed.  It also drew on regular project reporting, previous annual reviews, and planning and performance information produced by SHG.

The PSMP sought to develop the policy and institutional frameworks required to deliver a range of core public services in an efficient and effective manner.  It looked at strengthening governance, effective policy making, strategic planning and performance management, as well as developing a comprehensive set of policies and processes to attract, retain, manage and develop the right human resources.

The project was rated by DFID as an overall A+

The concept of policy management was also examined by the PSMP, developing guidance materials and other support for officials and Elected Members.  This has resulted in a tangible increase in the demand for evidence as part of policy making and an increased focus on the breadth and quality of statistics on St Helena.  

The project made a strong contribution to the organisational capacity in SHG to manage policy and performance.  The establishment of the Strategic Policy and Planning Unit (SPPU) in 2010 responded directly to a project recommendation, with the Unit’s remit expanding as experience has grown. We have seen year on year improvements in fiscal understanding and budget cycle management.

The Director of Strategic Policy and Planning, Susan O’Bey, commented: “We are all extremely pleased with the A+ marking from DFID.  Although considerable further work is required in the coming months and years to build upon our success, SHG now has a much clearer understanding of what it would like to achieve and has more robust systems and central capacity to move towards this vision.”

SHG

15 July 2013

 

Assistant Financial Secretary, Dax Richards, has been appointed Acting Financial Secretary, following the departure of the substantive Financial Secretary, Colin Owen.

Dax took the prescribed Oaths of Office in the presence of His Excellency, Governor Capes, on Thursday 11 July 2013 – the third time Dax had taken on this role.

Colin Owen and his family departed the Island on Sunday 7 July for a period of overseas leave. He will return to St Helena on Monday, 2 September 2013.

SHG
15 July 2013

Stored Water Levels in Redhill Zone at Approx 18% of Normal Volume

The continued dry weather on St Helena has meant that the water situation in affected areas remains serious.

As we advised both media in a water update on 18 & 19 June respectively, one significant rainfall event (overnight on 14 June) had meant that:

• Although ‘Water levels in the Redhill distribution area remain exceptionally low’ – ‘consumption remained around 250 cubic metres per day’ – meaning 10 days’ supply:

• ‘Rain which has previously just soaked into the dry ground is now reaching the Earth Dam, but will need several weeks of settling before it can be used

That rain water, from the Harpers 1 & 2 Reservoirs, has now settled and is available as a reserve for the Redhill district water system.

However, compared to the normal Scotts Mill and Harpers reservoir levels at this time of year, this still only represents about 18% of the Redhill water volume that we would normally expect. Piping of additional water to the Scotts Mill reservoir continues and this is helping to stabilise the situation.

It also means that we have moved from around 14 days’ stored supply to over 30 days. But, consumption in the Redhill zone has crept up, to around 300 cubic metres per day.

This means that the situation remains serious, but not critical. Ahead of us lies the drier period between September/October and March.The laying of pipework and preparatory work for the pump to transfer water from Levelwood into the Hutts Gate system continues apace.

Residents served by the Redhill distribution plant are once again urged to continue to lower their water consumption. The Island as a whole is reminded that the Hosepipe Ban is still in force. Every effort to reduce usage must continue in order to stretch water supplies until we receive some more significant rainfall.

SHG
9 July 2013

Returning Officer, Gillian Francis, has today appointed the following persons as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers for this year’s General Election – to be held on Wednesday, 17 July 2013.

Polling Station	Presiding Officer	Assistant Presiding Officer
Blue Hill Community Centre	Mrs Georgina Young	Mrs Sandra Williams
Half Tree Hollow Community Centre	Mrs Connie Johnson	Mrs Stephanie Crook
Harford Community Centre	Mrs Carol Thompson	Miss Linda Cranfield
Judges Lodge, Alarm Forest	Mrs Brenda Thomas	Mrs Jane Augustus
Kingshurst Community Centre	Mrs Karen Yon	Mrs Cynthia Bennett
Levelwood Community Centre	Mrs Cecily Bateman	Miss Paula Moyce
Jamestown Community Centre	Mrs Olive Williams	Miss Joan Yon
Sandy Bay Community Centre	Mr Gerald Benjamin	Mrs Thelma Sim

Polling Stations will be open from 10am to 7pm on the day of the Poll. Members of the public are encouraged not to leave it until the last minute to vote, as Polling Stations will close at exactly 7pm.

SHG

9 July 2013