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Applications for the prestigious Chevening Scholarships Awards Programme are now open and will close on 6th October 2026.

Offering a fully funded one year’s master’s degree in the UK, the programme aims to create a global network of exceptional leaders with shared values and world class knowledge who can drive sustainable development in their communities and beyond and help address the world’s most pressing challenges.

To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship, candidates must:

Before applying, candidates are strongly encouraged to review the resources available at chevening.org/guidance and assess whether they are ready to present a competitive application.

You may also contact Chevening Officer, Kerry Lane, at the Governor’s Office, on telephone +290 22308 or via email: Kerry.Lane@fcdo.gov.uk  who will be able to assist with your queries.

The Royal St Helena Police Service main control room line (22626) will be temporarily turned off between 09:30 and 11:30 on Sunday, 9 August 2026. This is to allow a necessary switchboard upgrade and replacement.

For Non-Emergencies: Please call 22096 during this 2-hour window only.

For Emergencies: Call 999. The emergency line will not be affected during this time.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your cooperation during this essential system upgrade.

The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio wishes to invite the community to our upcoming Open Days. Come explore our classrooms, meet our staff, and learn more about our school community.

Key Stage 2 (KS2) Open Day

Key Stage 1 (KS1) Open Day

We look forward to welcoming you.

Please be advised that the Adults Social Care team will be attending their Away Day on Friday, 31 July 2026.

The Adult Social Care switchboard (22920) will remain staffed until 16:00, and you may leave a message for the team if required. Out‑of‑hours duty services will continue to operate as normal.

Normal business will resume on Monday, 3 August 2026 at 08:30.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 28 July 2026.

The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

CLOSED AGENDA   Declaration of Interest Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 26 June 2026 Matters Arising from Minutes of 26 June 2026 Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 1 July 2026 Matters Arising from Minutes of 1 July 2026 Amendment: Schedule to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1985 (ExCo Memo 28/2026) Child Benefit (ExCo Memo 29/2026)   Tax Working Programme (ExCo Memo 30/2026)  St Helena Government Draft Entity Financial Statements 2025/26 and Audit Engagement Letter (ExCo 31/2026) Ministerial Updates on Significant Issues Any Other Business   NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines.

The following items were considered:

  1. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2 – 5. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes from 26 June 2026 and 1 July 2026.

Executive Council confirmed and signed off the minutes of meeting held on 26 June 2026 and 1 July 2026.

6. Amendment: Schedule to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1985 (ExCo Memo 28/2026)

Executive Council considered whether the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1985, should be amended to include additional signs and possible future signs. Members welcomed the good progress made in bringing forward the revised schedule. Minor amendments were proposed in the description of standard road signs and in the interpretation between standard road signs and St Helena custom worded signs where there was variance from recognised signs. Alongside this, there was a recognised need to update the Highway Code and to raise awareness of the additional signage. The revised schedule of road traffic signs and road markings complements other measures being introduced, including planned fixed penalty notices. The Minister for Safety Security and Home Affairs will bring this back to the next scheduled meeting of the ExCo.

  1. Child Benefit (ExCo Memo 29/2026)

Executive Council considered and agreed with the recommendation of the Treasury Advisory Board to introduce a child benefit for 0 to 5 year olds, before starting primary school. This benefit will extend to all resident families on the island, with the exception of those Technical Co-operations officers who are in receipt of a supplement to their salary for dependents as part of their salary. The child benefit will be exempt from tax. The purpose of the policy is to help improve the financial situation of families with children, with a financial transfer targeted at benefitting children. The policy approach that investing in families with children via child benefit supports childhood development, reduces poverty and reaps long term benefits for the child, for society and for social and economic development. The policy also recognises the financial constraints for SHG.

It is proposed to start paying this benefit from 1 November 2026, starting at £15/ week.

  1. Tax Working Programme (ExCo Memo 30/2026) 

Executive Council was asked to consider the “Options for Tax Policy” paper and advise which tax policies the government should develop over the next few years.

Substantial work has been done developing options for tax policy. The options have been developed over several years and updated to reflect this Government’s Vision and Strategy. The recommendations by the Treasury Advisory Board (TAB), and discussed with the Tax and Revenue Working Group, who are supportive of the approach, are that the following areas of policy should be reviewed:

a. Income tax reform; b. Property taxation; c. Corporation tax; d. Customs duties

e. Services tax

Members discussed the capacity constraints in developing tax policies. To ensure work to standard it is expected that 4 tax policy options can be reasonably taken forward. A commitment to reviewing income tax and customs duties has already been given to Legislative Council.

  1. St Helena Government Draft Entity Financial Statements 2025/26 and Audit Engagement Letter (ExCo 31/2026)

Executive Council considered and accepted the first draft of the St Helena Government Entity Financial Statements for the 2025/26 financial year should be submitted to the Chief Auditor to undertake the annual audit as required by section 109 of the Constitution.

Timely financial reporting is essential to effective Public Financial Management (PFM), as it supports Government accountability to the Legislature and the public for the management and use of public funds. Preparing the draft 2025/26 SHG Financial Statements within four months of the financial year-end is an important first step in achieving its objectives.

Executive Council noted the Chief Auditor’s anticipated audit completion date of 31 January 2027, which is six months after the Treasury submits the first draft. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Financial Aid MOU 2025/26 requires SHG to present audited Financial Statements within 12 months of the year-end. Based on the timeline in the Audit Engagement Letter, SHG will meet the MOU’s financial reporting requirements.

  1. Ministerial Updates on Significant Issues

No matters were raised.

  1. Any Other Business

No matters were raised.

#StHelena #ExCo #Toplines

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The MT Talisker is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Thursday, 30 July at 23:00 hours. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty at first light on Friday 31 July where bunkering will commence.

At 06:00 hours on Friday 31 July 2026, Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility, the beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will be under Security Access Level 3, meaning these areas will be restricted to authorised personnel only.

Access will remain restricted until all bunkering operations are completed and the vessel has departed.

St Helena Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding.

St Helena Government would like to invite suitably experienced contractors to submit tenders for the following contract:

CS-2060-SHG – Rupert’s Cargo Handling Facility – Reefer Gantry Design and Installation

A site visit to view the works will take place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at 09:00, meeting at the PCB Yard, Rupert’s Cargo Handling Facility.

Copies of the tender document and further details can be obtained from the Procurement Officer, on telephone no: 25932 or via email tiffany.lawrence@sainthelena.gov.sh .

Completed tenders should be placed in the Tender Box located on the Top Floor, Post Office Building by 12:00 on Friday, 28 August 2026, clearly marked “Tender CS-2060-SHG”.

Interested parties should note that this opportunity is not being advertised overseas.

St Helena Government has signed a contract with GBB UK Limited to conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the airport closure in February 2026 following unavailability of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles.

Dr Ross Beesley will be on island from Monday, 27 July, to interview key stakeholders and to review physical evidence. SHG will publish the key findings and recommendations from this investigation.

Critical faults were identified in all three ARFF vehicles at St Helena Airport, resulting in an immediate downgrade from Category 7 to Category 0 and the suspension of routine commercial operations between 6–15 February 2026. This independent investigation will aim to determine the technical root cause(s), assess any systemic or procedural weaknesses, and identify preventive actions to protect future critical equipment availability.

#StHelena #AirportClosure #Investigation

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The Environmental Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio wishes to advise the public that there are 3 fodder terraces available for licensing at Bottom Woods from September 2026.

Application forms are available from the ENRP Reception, or by contacting the Farmers Support staff on telephone 24724 or email martina.leo@sainthelena.gov.sh or frederick.green@sainthelena.gov.sh

Closing date for applications is 16:00 on 7 August 2026

The Post and Customer Services Centre is pleased to announce the release of a new definitive stamp issue entitled “Endemic Invertebrates”, which will be available for purchase from Saturday 1August 2026.

The set includes 12 definitive stamps featuring St Helena’s endemic invertebrates, including species that have only recently been discovered.  Each stamp highlights the island’s unique biodiversity and celebrates the importance of protecting these rare species.

The issue presents a range of endemic invertebrates through detailed imagery and consists of the following:

•   Stamp denominations: 5p, 10p, 15p, 20p, 30p, 40p, 50p, 60p, 80p, £1.00, £2.00 and £5.00

•    A Souvenir Sheet depicting all valued stamps, costing £11.10

•    3 First Day Covers valued at £6.00 each

All new St Helena Stamp Issues can be found on the St Helena Government website at the following link: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/coins-and-stamps/.

Local customers can purchase merchandise from the Post and Customer Services Centre in Jamestown. Overseas customers can contact the UK agent by email at GShaw@cascophilatelic.com to place an order.

#StHelena #newstampissue #EndemicInvertebrates

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