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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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The St Helena Fire and Rescue (SHFR) Service recently received several important pieces of new equipment, provided with funding support through the Essential Equipment Programme from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The arrival of a purpose-built Ifor Williams box trailer for rope rescue gear, replacement ladders and a new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) fire training simulator will help firefighters respond faster to emergencies and train more safely.

Quicker Response Times for Rope Rescues

In the past, rope rescue gear was kept in the main station store. When an emergency call came in, officers had to search for, gather, and pack all the kit onto a vehicle before heading out. This added extra time when every minute mattered and raised the risk of leaving vital gear behind.

The new Ifor Williams box trailer significantly improves SHFR operational readiness and emergency response capability by keeping all rope rescue kit permanently stored and organised, making it completely ready to go. The trailer can be hooked up to a vehicle and driven off straight away to cut down call-out delays, whilst keeping the gear inside a sealed unit protects delicate ropes from weather, dirt, and damage. Additionally, the consistent setup makes it much easier for officers to complete routine inventory checks and restock equipment after an incident.

Cleaner, Safer Fire Extinguisher Training

The SHFR Service has also introduced a modern LPG training simulator to upgrade live fire extinguisher training across the island.

Previously, training fires were set using open pots filled with a mix of petrol and diesel. Whilst this worked, it meant storing dangerous liquid fuels, dealing with thick smoke, and carrying out lengthy clean-ups.

The new gas-powered simulator improves training by creating realistic fires that can be lit or put out instantly with a remote control, making drills significantly safer for everyone. Switching to gas instead of petrol and diesel keeps the island cleaner by producing far less smoke, cutting pollution, and eliminating dirty chemical runoff. Additionally, because the fires can be reset in a matter of seconds, a greater number of officers and community members can achieve valuable hands-on practice within a single session.

Investing in Ladder Equipment

Alongside this new equipment, SHFR is also replacing its ageing 13.5-metre, 10-metre, and 9.5-metre ladders, which have given many years of reliable service but have reached an age where renewal is needed to maintain compliance with current safety standards and reduce the risk of equipment issues during incidents. The new, fit-for-purpose ladders will continue to support key operations such as accessing buildings, rescuing casualties from height, and providing safe working platforms during firefighting and rescue incidents, while also easing the maintenance burden as parts for older equipment become harder to source. This investment reinforces the Service’s commitment to firefighter safety, operational effectiveness, and delivering a resilient emergency response for the community.

Brigade Manager, Jason Lawrence, commented:

“This new kit makes a real difference to our work on the island. Having the rope equipment packed and ready in the trailer means we can get moving much faster when someone needs help. At the same time, the gas simulator lets us run safer, cleaner fire training without polluting our environment. It’s a great step forward for our team and the community.”

Photos

New Rope Rescue Equipment

Simulated Television fire

Simulated oil catch pan/liquid fuel fire

Simulated wastepaper bin fire

#StHelena #Fire&Rescue #NewEquipment #FCDO

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The Education, Skills and Employment (ESE) Portfolio is establishing a single governing board for the island’s three schools, as part of its preparations for a Council of British International Schools (COBIS) compliance visit in October 2026.  

As part of preparations for COBIS standards implementation, work is underway to establish a governance framework that supports the long-term development of education on St Helena and reflects international best practice. A key element of this work is the creation of a single governing board for all three schools, providing strategic oversight, accountability and support for school improvement.

What is a Single Governing Board?

The proposed governing board will provide strategic oversight for all three schools, creating a shared approach to educational standards, safeguarding and school improvement. The board will not be responsible for the day-to-day operation of schools, which will remain the responsibility of school leaders. Instead, it will provide support, challenge and accountability to ensure that schools continue to improve and deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people. Its members will include the Director of the ESE Portfolio, school

Headteachers, and co-opted members with expertise in education, governance and safeguarding, alongside parent and staff representatives. By bringing these perspectives together, the board will help ensure that decisions are informed by both professional expertise and the experiences of the wider school community.

Why is this Important?

The governing board will play a central role in supporting the schools’ COBIS accreditation journey. Strong governance is a key COBIS standard, and establishing a board that meets international expectations will help demonstrate the island’s commitment to providing high-quality education and effective safeguarding arrangements.

A Phased Approach to Establishment

The governing board will be established in two phases. The first phase will involve the appointment of a co-opted governing board, bringing together individuals with specialist skills and experience in areas such as governance, education and safeguarding. The second phase will introduce elected parents, staff and additional specialist governors.  

Governance Arrangements During the Transition

Throughout the transition, the board will work alongside the existing Portfolio Advisory Board (PAB), which will continue to oversee and support education policy and strategic priorities. At the same time, work is underway to review the Education Ordinance to determine what legislative changes may be required to support the long-term operation of the governing board. More information regarding public meetings for community input on the Education Ordinance will be communicated in due course. 

Expressions of Interest

If you would like to express your interest in being a Co-opted Governor, please complete the linked google form by 2 August 2026. Further information about the requirements to be a co-opted governor, including passing the vetting process, can be found on the form or on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/20260623-Co-Opted-Leaflet.docx.pdf.  

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, further information will be shared regarding appointments and opportunities for parents, staff and community members to become involved in the governance process.

The ESE Portfolio would like to thank school leaders, staff, parents and the wider community for their continued support and engagement as this work progresses. By working together, the island can continue to build a strong and sustainable education system that provides the best possible opportunities for all children and young people on St Helena.

#StHelena #Education #GoverningBoard #COBIS

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The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Friday, 24 July at 02:00 hours. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty and begin cargo operations as soon as practicable.

During this time, 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 cargo operations are completed and the vessel has departed.

Once the vessel departs, Security will reduce to Access Level 2, at which point only the Cargo Management Facility will remain restricted during normal working hours (08:00-17:00).

The beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will reopen to the public and can be accessed via the public walkway beginning at Liberation House or via the Ferry Service (charges apply).

After working hours, the Security Access Level reduces to Level 1, whereby vehicular access is allowed through the Facility.

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

The Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE, today presented the St Helena Government’s Budget for 2026/27 to Legislative Council, setting out a three-year programme to stabilise the island’s finances, strengthen essential services and lay the foundations for sustainable economic growth.

Describing the Budget as a foundational budget, the Chief Minister explained that the Government’s first priority is to strengthen the systems that people rely on every day, creating the capacity to invest more in future years.

In opening the debate, the Chief Minister said:

“This is not simply an exercise in approving expenditure for the year ahead. It is a statement of direction for our island—a demonstration of how this Government intends to turn its published Vision and Strategy into practical action.”

The Budget has been prepared against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, rising living costs and the long-term challenges facing St Helena, including population decline, workforce shortages and increasing demand for public services. It reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting essential services while making responsible investments that improve resilience, strengthen public finances and support future growth.

Among the measures announced in the Budget are:

The Budget also reflects the recently agreed three-year Financial Aid Settlement with the UK Government, providing greater certainty for planning and enabling Government to sequence reforms over the next three years.

In concluding her speech, the Chief Minister said:

“This is not a budget that promises everything today. It is a budget that aspires to make more possible tomorrow.”

A copy of the Budget Speech and Budget Book can be found on the St Helena Government website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/treasury/.

The debate on the Appropriation Bill has now been adjourned and will resume on Monday 20 July, when Members of Legislative Council will debate the Budget in detail before considering its approval.

Allocations for recurrent expenditure proposed in the Appropriation Bill 2026 and the Budget Book are as follows:

The total amount proposed to be appropriated as recurrent expenditure in 2026/27 is £49.0 million.  In addition, £6.3 million for recurrent expenditure for pensions and benefits will be provided via standing appropriations.

A further £0.19 million for capital expenditure will be provided across the following portfolios:

#StHelena #Budget26 #AltogetherWealthier

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