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The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, 14 April 2021.

An updated draft Archives Lending Policy was presented by the Custodian of Records and Head of Corporate Support who had been asked to strengthen its provisions following earlier discussions and representations. Key conclusions included:

Limited consultation will now follow to include those who previously made representations. There will also be an opportunity for others to express a view.

Agreement was given for annual reviews of the Minimum Income Standard to inform the Minimum Wage.

Preparation of documentation arising from the Draft Immigration Policy was progressing with the current plan being for it to be considered by Executive Council and presentation to Legislative Council by mid-year.

The Committee agreed to consider a Draft Asylum Policy on 26 April 2021.

Updates from the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate included:

SHG, 21 April 2021

St Helena Immigration would like to remind the public of the importance of having a valid passport. A passport must remain valid for at least six months from the expiry date of any entry permit and it is the responsibility of the passport holder to ensure their passport is kept up to date and to check when it is due for renewal.

Whilst the Immigration Office is able to assist with British and St Helenian passport renewals, they are unable to assist holders of foreign national passports.

At present, travel is restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some cases, foreign nationals are required to attend a passport renewal in person. Foreign nationals are therefore advised to make early arrangements to allow enough time to renew their passport.

SHG

21 April 2021

Good public services are vital for an inclusive economy, a fair society and for people to live fulfilling lives. We are at the start of our journey to create a Public Service on St Helena that is equipped to deal with present and future challenges, provides a solid foundation for a fair economy and society, and is able to make the most of potential opportunities.

As a first step towards this, we have rearranged our functions from Directorates into larger ‘Portfolios’ to ensure we have a more streamlined structure, with services and functions that have a shared or similar purpose grouped together under one senior manager. This has meant moving some functions and reducing from eight Directorates to five Portfolios plus a Central Support Service as set out here.

SHG

21 April 2021

The Statistics Office has released new estimates of average incomes from full-time employment for the 2019/20 financial year.

The estimated median annual before-tax wage rose to £8,690 – a modest increase of 0.6% compared to the previous year when price inflation is taken into account. This is a change to the trend in the previous two years, when median wages fell. The median wage level however is around 5% lower than in 2016/17, after adjusting for inflation.

Chart 1. Median annual gross wages from full-time employment, 2012/13 to 2019/20, in constant 2019/20 prices (i.e. adjusted for price inflation)

The median is the usual measure of average incomes or wages, because it is less sensitive than the mean (the more common method used in other statistics) to small numbers of relatively high wage earners in a population. A median wage level of £8,690 means that, for 2019/20, half of before-tax wages from locally-recruited employment were less than £8,690, and half were higher.

The estimates are derived from records maintained by the Income Tax Office using methodology consistent with previous releases. Only incomes from employment above an analysis cut-off (set around the level of a single-person Income Related Benefit) are included; any income from self-employment and investment is excluded. Incomes of persons employed by the St Helena Government following international recruitment (known as Technical Cooperation Officers) are not considered typical and so are also excluded from the statistics on incomes.

More detailed statistics on incomes, including the differences between lower and higher paid employees, and between men and women, are available in the latest Statistical Bulletin, found on the St Helena Government website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/statistics/statistics-reports-and-publications/. Detailed data can be accessed in Excel format from the ‘Incomes’ file at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/statistics/

#StHelena #Statistics #AverageIncome #Wages #StatsNews

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SHG
21 April 2021

National Pet Month (NPM) is celebrated between 1 April and 3 May 2021 and is used to celebrate and raises awareness of responsible pet ownership.

In recognition of NPM, we share with you animal welfare advice provided by the Veterinary Section:

Animal welfare affects us all, and it should never be forgotten that animals have the same feelings and emotions as us, they just can’t express it so obviously.

To best care for your animals, simply observe well, know your animals, and follow the famous ‘five freedoms’ of animal welfare:

  1. Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
  2. Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a  comfortable resting area
  3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
  4. Freedom to express normal behaviour – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind
  5. Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Should you have any queries regarding the welfare of your animals, please contact the Veterinary  Section on tele: 24724.

#StHelena #NationalPetMonth # VeterinarySection

SHG

20 April 2021

Members of the public born on or before 24 April, 2003 wishing to receive a first dose of the AstraZeneca Vaccine will have a final opportunity to receive their first dose at the vaccination clinic at the Flu Pod (General Hospital) on Saturday, 24 April, between 9am and 2pm. There will be allocated times for administering first doses of the vaccine on this day. 

You are required to book an appointment in advance by contacting Peta Henry at the General Hospital via email: peta.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh or on tel. 22998.

Unfortunately, due to logistical reasons, any persons arriving at the clinic for a first dose without a booked appointment will not be able to receive the vaccine.  

Additionally, persons born after 24 April 2003 will not be able to receive the vaccine at this time as the AstraZeneca vaccine is not currently licenced for use in under 18s.  Anyone under the age of 18 who presents for vaccination will therefore be declined. 

All persons who will turn 18 years after 24 April 2021 are advised to be attentive for any further updates regarding vaccinations. 

Members of the public will be aware of the recent international news reports regarding, the AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare cases of blood clots. The Health Directorate will continue to administer the AstraZeneca as theMHRA (the UK’s independent regulator) and theJCVI(the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) have advised that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks for the vast majority of adults.

The MHRA also provided further advice with regards to the rare blood clots occurring; they have provided a list of rare and complex conditions, of which, if any are present those persons should not receive the vaccine. Currently on St Helena there is no evidence that any of the rare conditions listed are prevalent and out of 93% of the Island’s population who received the first dose, no one experienced severe allergic reactions.

We would encourage you to be vaccinated in order to protect yourself and to protect the community.

SHG

20 April 2021

24 FEBRUARY AND 31 MARCH 2021

Monthly meetings of the Finance Committee were held on Wednesday, 24 February, and Wednesday, 31 March 2021. 

Discussions on the matters arising from the 2 February meeting included the Budget Execution Report for period 10, January 2021, and Supplementary Appropriation for the 2020/21 financial year.

In presenting the Budget Execution Report, the Deputy Financial Secretary explained that projections to the end of the financial year indicated an over collection of revenue of around £112k, which was, in the main, due to revenue collected from charter and repatriation flight ticket sales. Forecast over and under expenditure in the various Directorates were noted, with the overall forecast to the end of the year indicating a surplus of £530k.

Further explanation was provided by the Deputy Financial Secretary about the Directorates which would require Supplementary Appropriation for the 2020/21 financial year, as well as the associated Bill which has since been passed by Legislative Council.

At the 31 March meeting, discussions on matters arising from the previous meeting included the Budget Execution Report for Period 11, February 2021.

The Deputy Financial Secretary explained that the forecast to the end of the financial year indicated an overall surplus of around £650k. Of particular note was the fact that a shipment of fuel had been received in the last week of March 2021, which would result in an increase in collection of Customs duties of around £400k. This shipment of fuel had not been expected until April 2021 and so adjustments would need to be made to the forecast revenue projections for the 2021/22 financial year to take into account the customs duty being collected in the 2020/21 financial year.

A projected saving of £96.5k in the Economic Development budget was anticipated but some of this funding would be required to meet costs associated with the winding up of Enterprise St Helena. 

An underspend in Human Resources of £151k was noted, which was more than forecasted in February due to travel costs being less than anticipated as a result of fewer TC staff taking overseas leave.

A question was asked about debt recovery and the Financial Secretary explained that it was planned, as part of the Public Service restructure, to ensure additional resources for debt recovery activity.

#StHelena #FinanceCommittee #MeetingSummary

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SHG
21 April 2021

The public is advised that the road, from the junction near St Matthew’s Church towards Halley’s Mount and through to the Dungeon Cemetery, will be closed between 9am and 3pm every Wednesday for a period of six weeks, commencing Wednesday, 28 April 2021.

This closure is to allow the Forestry Section of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division to carry out tree surgery works.

During these closures, the diversion route will be via Gordon’s Post. Appropriate signage will be in place.

The Forestry Section would like to thank the public in advance for their co-operation.

SHG

20 April 2021

For the first quarter of 2021 the Retail Price Index (RPI) has been measured at 106.3. This is a small increase from a year ago, when the RPI was 105.9. This means that the annual inflation rate is 0.4%, comparing prices now to the same time period in 2020. Last quarter, the index stood at 105.6.

Chart 1. St Helena Retail Price Index Q1 2014 to Q1 2021 (Q1 2018=100)

The 0.4% annual inflation rate is a combined result of the low inflation rates in both the UK and South Africa and the impact of the value of the South African Rand compared to the St Helena Pound over the last 12 months. Inflation in the United Kingdom was measured at 0.4% for February 2021 (Office for National Statistics), inflation in South Africa was measured at 2.9% during the same period (Statistics South Africa). The Rand has strengthened slightly against the Pound over the year, contributing to the price change in some items bought from South Africa. Freight costs and rates of customs duties for certain items also have an impact on shelf prices along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has been a contributing factor, limiting some suppliers’ operations and the demand for goods and services. 

Notable increases in prices over the year include items in the alcohol and tobacco category and the clothing category. Notable decreases in annual prices included the price of fuel; petrol fell from £1.37 to £1.28 per litre, and diesel from £1.46 to £1.35 a litre.

The full Statistical Bulletin can be found on the St Helena Government website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/statistics/statistics-reports-and-publications/ detailed data can be accessed in Excel format from the ‘Inflation’ file at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/statistics/

#StHelena #Statistics #Prices #Inflation #Economy #StatsNews

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SHG
20 April 2021

Eulogy from H.E. Dr Philip Rushbrook, Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Prince Philip was born on 19th June 1921 in Greece. His parentage was part of the then Greek and Danish royal families. But, changes in Greece meant his family left the country when he was only 18 months old.

Following an education that spanned France, Germany and finally, the United Kingdom, with the prospect of the Second World War looming, he joined the Royal Navy in 1939. He was 18 years old.

Prince Philip remained on active military service until he left the Royal Navy in 1952 at the rank of Commander.

By any measure, Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life, as a naval hero in the Second World War, as the man who inspired countless young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, above all, as Her Majesty The Queen’s loyal consort. The longest serving consort in British history.

Since his passing just two months short of his 100th birthday, the Kingdom has united both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing, and gratitude for his decades of selfless service.

Prince Philip earned the affection of generations in the United Kingdom, here on St Helena, as well as Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; across the Commonwealth; and around the world.

Prince Philip was also one of the last surviving people in the United Kingdom to have served in the Second World War at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery. And, in the invasion of Sicily, he saved his ship by his quick thinking. From that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post war era.

Like the expert carriage driver that Prince Philip was, he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life in Britain and the overseas territories.

Prince Philip was an environmentalist and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.

Prince Philip was a sports enthusiast and his interests spanned a wide range of other topics too. In all, he was the Patron, President or Member of over 780 organisations.

Prince Philip will be forever remembered through his creation of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. A scheme that has shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.

By one count since 1952 in conducting his royal duties across all of his interests, Prince Philip completed 22,219 solo engagements and 5,493 speeches.

Today we should recall too, the visit by Prince Philip to St Helena in 1957.

The Duke of Edinburgh after landing at the Jamestown Wharf, St Helena, 1957

It came ten years after the visit to our Island of the then Princess Elizabeth

On coming ashore from the Royal Yacht Britannia, he expressed his delight to be able finally to visit the Island after hearing so much about it from Queen Elizabeth.

In addition to visiting numerous sights across the Island, he officially opened the Duke of Edinburgh Playground in Jamestown. The site still bears his name.

We remember Prince Philip most respectfully for his steadfast support to Her Majesty the Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, since their marriage in November 1947, and her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.

And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our Island’s thoughts must turn today. Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.

Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband “a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know”.

So, we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen, we offer our condolences to her and to all her family and we have this special opportunity now to give thanks, as an Island and as part of a great Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.