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The Immigration and Customs office at Liberation House in Ruperts will be closed to the public tomorrow Wednesday 4th March 2026 to accommodate staff training. Normal operations will resume on Thursday 5th March 2026.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause.

A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 24 February 2026.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

CLOSED AGENDA

  1. Declaration of Interest
  2. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 27 January 2026
  3. Matters Arising from Minutes of 27 January 2026
  4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 6 February 2026
  5. Matters Arising from Minutes of 6 February 2026
  6. Ship Registry Policy, 2026 (ExCo Memo 03/2026)
  7. Policy for Safety of Large St Helena Registered Fishing Vessels and Foreign Registered Fishing Vessels and Regulations, 2026 (ExCo Memo 04/2026)
  8. Income Tax and Customs Duty Changes (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Vaping Products), 2026 (ExCo Memo 05/2026)
  9. Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025/2026 (ExCo Memo 06/2026)
  10. Ministerial Updates on significant issues

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:

2 – 5. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes
Executive Council confirmed and signed off the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January and 6 February 2026.

  1. Ship Registry Policy, 2026 (ExCo Memo 03/2026)

    Executive Council approved the amendments to the Ship Registry Policy 2024, confirming that the publication of the Ships Registry Policy, 2026 will supersede all previous versions. The agreed will be used to inform the drafting of Ship Registry Regulations under section 16(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2021 (MSO).
  2. Policy for Safety of Large St Helena Registered Fishing Vessels and Foreign Registered Fishing Vessels and Regulations, 2026 (ExCo Memo 04/2026)

Executive Council approved the Policy for the Safety of Large St Helena Registered Fishing Vessels and Foreign Registered Fishing Vessels and approved the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Large St Helena Registered Fishing Vessels and Foreign Registered Fishing Vessels) Regulations, 2026 to take effect on publication.

This will provide a modern regulatory framework for the survey and certification of large fishing vessels which are, or could be, registered on St Helena’s Ship Registry. As well as address lacunae in the provision for such regulatory framework in St Helena, as previously identified, and observed during the 2025 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) III Code Proxy Audit.

Executive Council also requested that a cost benefit analysis of the Ships Registry be undertaken.

  1. Income Tax and Customs Duty Changes (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Vaping Products), 2026 (ExCo Memo 05/2026)

Income Tax
Executive Council was asked to consider options for changes to the current income tax threshold of £7,000 from 01 April 2026. Executive Council discussed the options at length, noting the budgetary impact.

Customs Duty Changes (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Vaping Products)
Executive Council was asked to consider and advise on proposals for changes to the duty on alcohol, tobacco and introduction of an import duty on vaping products from 1 April 2026.

  1. Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025/2026 (ExCo Memo 06/2026)
    Executive Council approved:

a) the Supplementary Appropriation (2025/26) Bill, 2026 to be printed, published, and presented as Government Business at the next formal meeting of Legislative Council scheduled for 19 March 2026; and
b) Subject to Legislative Council approving the Supplementary Appropriation (2025/26) Bill, 2026, Executive Council was asked to consider and advise whether the Governor should approve the Withdrawal Warrant provided to fund the supplementary appropriation.

The Supplementary Appropriation (2025/26) Bill, 2026 will be presented to Legislative Council next month.

  1. Ministerial Updates on significant issues
    Executive Council discussed updates on:
    • The Connect Saint Helena Ltd Utilities Licence; and
    • the Airport Major Incident, considerations for transparent investigation.

Please be advised that the following scheduled road closures have been postponed due to weather conditions:

Both routes will remain OPEN today and are expected to remain open tomorrow. We plan to resume work as soon as weather conditions improve.

Ascension Island Mobile (AIM) has recently launched mobile phone services on Ascension Island. The priority during the network launch has been to ensure that the local island network is up-and-running in advance of Sure South Atlantic exiting on 28 February 2026. There will be some disruption to international calling from Sunday, 1 March. During the transition period, residents in St Helena are advised that residents in Ascension Island may not be able to make or receive international telephone calls or send international SMS (text messages) using landline or mobile voice services.

Telecoms operators internationally can route phone calls to Ascension Island. AIM recognises the importance of maintaining affordable routes of communication and is actively working with Sure South Atlantic and other global partners to put in place the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.

As international dialling arrangements may vary by country and provider, callers are advised to contact the intended recipient in advance to confirm the correct number to dial from outside Ascension Island.

To stay connected, residents are encouraged to use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and social media messaging services as temporary alternative means of communication. Applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger should continue to function and can be used for voice calls, video calls and messaging, subject to internet availability.

#StHelena #Telecoms

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

St Helena is likely to experience a north-westerly swell from midday, Saturday, 28 February 2026, resulting in unsettling sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay.

Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.

Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.

Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.

The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.

SHG

27 February 2026

SHG is pleased to confirm that the major incident regarding airport operations has now been stood down. This follows the return of all three airport fire tenders to full operational status and successful flights to and from St Helena, Ascension and South Africa this week. Normal operations have now resumed.

Gold Command stands down

With the airport now operating as normal, the Gold Command Group was formally stood down this morning, with a final briefing which included thanks to all teams involved from the Chief Minister.

The work of Gold Command was underpinned by the Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) training undertaken last year, as well as emergency response plan testing overseen by the Emergency Planning Department. This internationally recognised framework ensured that the Major Incident was managed with a high level of coordination.

A formal multi-agency debrief will be conducted in the forthcoming weeks. This process is designed to identify further improvements to the process and highlight where close multi-agency working was successfully implemented.

Strengthening resilience and infrastructure

Whilst the major incident has concluded, further work will continue led by the airport or the relevant portfolio.

These workstreams include:

New fire tenders for the airport

The issues with the airport fire tenders have caused us to speed up our scheduled replacement programme. With thanks to support from the FCDO, we have been able to order two new fire tenders for delivery early in the new financial year.

Business support

Work on a support package for local businesses directly impacted by the airport closure continues to progress. More information on this will be available shortly.

 

Investigation into the incident

The Governor has previously committed to an investigation to establish the root cause of the airport closure. This is now in the planning phase. More detail will be shared in due course. We remain committed to transparency.

A message of thanks

The successful restoration of services in less than two weeks is a testament to the resilience and collective spirit of our community.

Chief Secretary and Gold Commander, Ian Todd, said:

“I am extremely grateful to everyone involved for the long hours and hard work put into resolving this incident. That is not just public servants but also the Governor’s Office, Saint Helena Airport Ltd, Solomons and many other individuals and organisations. The teamworking ethos has been exceptional. Our major incident plans have worked effectively, which I hope reassures the public.”

A passenger affected by the Airport Closure, Lauren Williams, conveyed her thanks:

“Following the temporary closure of Saint Helena Airport, I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in resolving the situation and restoring flights as quickly as possible. As someone travelling alone, it was a stressful and uncertain time, and I really appreciated the regular updates and clear communication, which helped reassure us and kept us informed throughout.

I’m also extremely grateful for how well we were looked after in Johannesburg — accommodation, meals, and support were all organised and handled smoothly, which took a huge weight off my shoulders.

Thanks to the hard work, overtime, and commitment of everyone involved, I was able to return home safely to my family sooner than expected, and I will always be grateful for the care and effort shown during such a difficult situation.”

#StHelena #AirAccess

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt

As part of the UK Government-funded Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Playgrounds Project, St Helena Government (SHG) Crown Estates is pleased to announce a specialised training opportunity in partnership with UK-based company GB Sport and Leisure.

The Play Equipment Inspection and Maintenance training course will take place from Monday, 16 March, to Friday, 20 March 2026. The programme will commence at 08:45 upstairs in the Canister, Jamestown.

The training is designed to align with the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) accredited standards. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge through classroom sessions and practical site visits to Longwood Green, Half Tree Hollow (HTH), Sandy Bay, and Blue Hill Field Centre.

Key modules include:

Opportunities for the Private Sector

Crown Estates intends for the future maintenance of developed playgrounds, starting with Longwood Green and HTH, to be delivered via private sector contracts (subject to recurrent budget).

This training is highly recommended for private individuals or businesses interested in tendering for these upcoming contracts. Whilst placements are reserved for relevant SHG personnel (e.g., Crown Estates and Building Services), remaining placements are open to the public.

Important Details for Applicants

How to Apply

Interested parties should submit an Expression of Interest to Gina Henry, Crown Estates Officer, no later than Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

Successful candidates will be notified of their placement by Friday, 6 March 2026.

Photos

Playground equipment and Health and Wellbeing Package planned for installation at Half Tree Hollow

Playground equipment planned for installation at Longwood Green

#StHelena #CrownEstates #EDIP #PlaygroundSafety #TrainingOpportunity

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

On Friday, 20 February 2026, students, parents, and distinguished guests gathered in the St Helena Secondary School (SHSS) Hall for the annual Certificate and Awards Ceremony. This event celebrates student achievement and the successful completion of various qualifications.

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from Minister of Education, Skills and Employment, Andrew Turner, who addressed the audience before the presentation of certificates began.

The first round of awards recognised former Year 10, 11, 12, and 13 students, who received their certificates for a range of qualifications, including the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQ), Advanced Subsidiary (AS-Level), and Advanced Level (A-Level).

Following this, individual awards were presented to students who excelled in various disciplines, celebrating outstanding achievements across multiple areas.

AwardAwardee
Jean Beadon Art AwardSitthipon (Om) Sawangwong
Governor’s Award for academic excellence and achievement at Key Stage 3Jude Jacobs and Bethany Bennett
PTA Student of the Year Award for the top performing student in Year 11 and Year 13Asa Bushuru and Leah Bedwell
SURE Award for the top performing male and female in Year 11Rebekah Braaf and Asa Bushuru
Jeanette Williams Mathematics Achievement Award for the highest Mathematics score in Year 11 and Year 13Kalem Henry and Asa Bushuru
English Achievement Award for the highest English score in Year 11 and Year 13Rebekah Braaf and Isabella Scott
Eliza Mary Lloyd Trust Agriculture Award for commitment to agricultureAshley Henry
Bishop Houghton Award for pastoral care and support of the communityDiederik Robbertse
Joy George Award for outstanding effort, progress and achievement at the end of Key Stage 3Jacob Herne

Teachers Steve Plato and Gavie Williams were also recognised for their commitment to continued professional development in achieving the following awards:

Throughout the ceremony, various musical items were performed by SHSS students under the guidance of Music Teacher, James Fantom. Willow Yon-Duncan performed a piece ‘10 000 Reasons’ on the violin, Year 7 music students performed a cultural Cameroonian folk song called ‘Bela Mama’ and the Enrichment Rock Band performed a song called ‘Seven Nation Army’.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Head Teacher, Phil Toal, with closing remarks delivered by HE Governor Nigel Phillips.  

Head Teacher for SHSS, Phil Toal, commented:

“Our annual Certificate and Awards Ceremony is one of the highlights of the school year, as it gives us the opportunity to publicly recognise the commitment, resilience and ambition shown by our young people. The achievements celebrated today reflect not only academic success, but also the character, determination and growth of our students across a wide range of pathways.

I am immensely proud of all our award recipients and certificate holders, and grateful to our dedicated staff who continue to go above and beyond to support and inspire our learners. Events like this remind us that success comes in many forms – from examination results and vocational achievements to creativity, leadership and service to others.

My thanks go to parents, carers and partners for their continued support, and to our performers who added such warmth and vibrancy to the ceremony. Together, as a school community, we are committed to ensuring that every young person at SHSS is given the opportunity to thrive and to realise their potential.”

Photos

Former Year 10 recipients of qualification certificates

Former Year 11 recipients of qualification certificates

Recipients of AS-level qualifications

Recipients of A-level qualifications

Om Sawangwong receiving the Jean Beadon Art Award

The Governor’s Award for Excellence at Key Stage 3 were awarded to Jude Jacobs and Bethany Bennett

Jeanette Williams Maths Awardees Kalem Henry and Asa Bushuru

Eliza Mary Lloyd Trust Agriculture Award for commitment to agriculture recipient Ashley Henry

Diederik Robbertse received the Bishop Houghton Award

Performers Willow Yon-Duncan, Year 7 students and the Enrichment Rock Band

Portfolio Director, Ceri Morgan, presents Teachers Steve Plato and Gavie Williams with their awards

HE the Governor delivered closing remarks

#StHelena #Awards #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

The public are advised that construction works to replace the existing lighting on Jacob’s Ladder will commence on 2 March 2026. The new lighting was generously donated by Lord Ashcroft to the UK St Helena Heritage Trust, and the installation works are being funded through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) and delivered by Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc will be carried out in two phases and is expected to take several weeks to complete.

During the initial phase, access from the top of the ladder to the footpath connecting to Shy Road will remain open during daylight hours. However, as the existing lights will be disconnected during the works, the entire ladder will be closed nightly from 17:00 and reopen at 07:45 each morning to ensure public safety.

As the project progresses, it will also become necessary to close the full length of the ladder to protect the safety of all users. The area will be secured, and appropriate signage will be placed at all access points. Users are kindly requested to comply with the safety measures in place and to refrain from entering restricted areas.

The public are thanked for their patience and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

SHG

23 February 2026

Due to flight operations on Tuesday, 24 February and Wednesday, 25 February 2026, the HM Customs and Immigration Office at Liberation House, Ruperts, advises the public of the following service changes:

Normal operations for both departments will resume on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

SHG

23 February 2026