Latest Posts
Councillor Denis Leo and Samantha Cherrett, Climate Security Programme Manager (Governor’s Office/FCDO), will represent St Helena at the EU-funded Green Overseas Workshop on “Building climate resilient food systems”.
The workshop, which will take place in Tahiti from 1-5 December 2025, aims to build capacity and share experience and knowledge on the development and implementation of resilient food systems in the face of climate change impacts, with a focus on real challenges, practical solutions and their limitations.
This initiative underscores the commitment to safeguarding communities against the growing impacts of climate change.
Councillor Denis Leo will depart the island on Saturday, 22 November and return on Tuesday, 9 December. During his absence, Councillor Ronald Coleman has kindly agreed to assume responsibility for the Longwood district and can be contacted on email via: ronald.coleman@parliament.sh.
#StHelena #LegCo #GreenOverseas
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
At its October meeting, Executive Council gave approval to commence the Customs and Excise Regulations 2025, which were originally endorsed in May 2025 but were placed on hold until the opening of the Rupert’s Cargo Facility.
Under these new regulations, the St Helena Government (SHG) Warehouse Rental Fees have been reduced by 50% from £5.00 to £2.50 per cubic metre for each month or part thereof for the first 3 months, and £10.00 to £5.00 per cubic metre thereafter, for each month or part thereof.
Historically, fees under the Customs and Excise Ordinance 1999 were not applied or collected, as they were subsidised by SHG due to the absence of a secure cargo warehouse for consolidators. With the introduction of a purpose-built secure cargo warehouse at Rupert’s, these fees are now being implemented, establishing a transparent system that ensures a level playing field for all users of the warehouse services.
The operations of Rupert’s Port are managed under contract by Solomon & Company Plc. Please note that the SHG Warehouse Rental Fees outlined above exclude any charges applied by the contractor.
For further information regarding these fees, please contact Customs and Immigration on Tel: (+290) 22287.
#StHelena #WarehouseRentalFees #RupertsCargoFacility
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 18 November 2025.
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 17 June 2025 3. Matters Arising from Minutes of 17 June 2025 4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 23 September 2025 5. Matters Arising from Minutes of 23 September 2025 6.Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo 10.1 Ship Registry – Appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors (ExCo Memo 63/2025) 7. Ministerial Updates on significant issues 8. 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:
2 – 5. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes
Minutes for 17 June and 23 September 2025 were signed off.
6. Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo
6.1 Ship Registry – Appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors (ExCo Memo 63/2025)
ExCo was asked via email to consider an urgent ExCo memo to advise whether the appointment of Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Surveyors as flag state surveyors and inspectors for St Helena, in accordance with sections 103A and 103C of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2021 as per Annex 1, should be approved.
The memo did not ask for any change in policy, funding or any other detailed matter that would normally require a face-to-face ExCo meeting but rather a technical request/authorisation by the Governor to appoint a surveyor on the advice from ExCo.
Governor Phillips recommended that ExCo agree to this request, as it was consistent with all actions to date.
On 21 October 2025, the Chief Minister confirmed agreement via email for the appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors of Ships in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2021.
ExCo confirmed their approval of the decision made via email.
7. Ministerial Updates on Significant Issue
The following updates were provided on the following subject matters:
- Fishing – The substantive Fisheries Review
- Telecoms
- Energy – The Energy Project
- Medical Supplies – SHG continues to face a key challenge, i.e. the inability to secure essential medications due to regulatory restrictions and significant global shortages of many commonly used drugs. To obtain limited supplies, we are now required to airfreight most shipments at considerable additional cost. Despite these measures, we are still unable to source all the necessary medications.
#StHelena #ExCo #Toplines
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Governor’s annual Christmas Card Competition, open to all children of primary school age, has once again showcased the creativity and spirit of our island’s young people. We received a fantastic array of wonderful entries from each primary school and are delighted to announce the outcome of this year’s competition.
While every entry deserves recognition, 14 children were given special mention for their engaging and imaginative designs, all of which captured the essence of our community and the festive season. The final vote for the winner occurred at the Governor’s Residence during the King’s Birthday Party on Friday 14 November where 10 shortlisted entries were displayed and every guest was given a vote in a secret ballot.
Special Mentions
- Nathaniel Benjamin, Year 6, Pilling – WINNER
- Madison van Wyk, Year 6, Pilling – RUNNER UP
- Conor Phillips, Year 6, Harford – RUNNER UP
- Georgia Thomas, Year 6, Harford – RUNNER UP
- Zoey Moyce, Year 5, Harford
- Cora Richards, Year 6, Pilling
- Dre Fuller, Year 6, Pilling
- Nashaun Royles, Year 6, Harford
- Sofia Stroud, Year 4, St Paul’s
- Rutendo Nayoto, Year 6, Pilling
- Emma Jacobs, Year 6, Harford
- Elliot Bruneton, Year 6 Pilling
- Holly Bennett, Year 5, Pilling
- Ella-Rose Isaac, Year 5, Harford
We are pleased to announce that Nathaniel Benjamin was selected as the overall winner for the 3rd year! Nathaniel’s artwork will be featured on the Governor’s official Christmas card this year. Nathaniel will be invited to join the Governor for tea to recognise his success along with the three runners up – Madison van Wyk, Georgia Thomas, and Conor Phillips.
All entries will be displayed in the tourism window at The Canister in town over the festive period for all to enjoy the wonderful artwork produced by our talented young people.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the children who took part and to the schools for their support in making this event such a success.
Photos
Winning card – Nathaniel Benjamin
Runner up – Conor Phillips
Runner up – Georgia Thomas
Runner up – Madison van Wyk
#StHelena #ChristmasCardCompetition
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Select Committee 1 is pleased to announce the two key topics that will be scrutinised early in the new year:
- Labour Market Strategy
- Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Enhancing Our Natural Capital
These topics have been selected due to their importance to the long-term well-being, development, and resilience of St Helena. The Committee welcomes contributions from all members of the public to support these inquiries.
We encourage anyone with relevant knowledge, lived experience, data, or professional insight to share their input. Submissions may include observations, case examples, or recommendations that could assist the Committee’s work.
Submissions can be sent to the Committee Secretary via email at marita.bagley@sainthelena.gov.sh, or by letter addressed to:
Committee Secretary, Legislative Council Office, The Castle.
All submissions must be received by 16:00 on Friday, 9 January 2026. Your contribution could help shape future policy —thank you for taking part.
St Helena Government (SHG) wishes to advise the public that a wide-ranging review of the fishing sector has been initiated.
It will include an evaluation of the following:
- Policy and strategic management
- Licensing and regulatory framework
- Food security and domestic affordability
- Current fleet (including fleet safety), infrastructure, and cold chain
- Processing and quality assurance
- Market access and distribution, including export
- Governance and institutional roles
- Sustainable resource stewardship
A fisheries review task group will be appointed along with clear terms of reference to help guide its work.
For further information please contact SHG Portfolio Directors, Darren Duncan or Damian Burns via email darren.duncan@sainthelena.gov.sh or damian.burns@sainthelena.gov.sh.
#StHelena #FishingSector #Review
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The public are advised of the upcoming opening of new, modern public toilet and shower facilities located in Rupert’s, adjacent to the Saints Tuna Corporation building.
These new facilities, which include gender-neutral toilets, showers, and a dedicated baby changing cubicle, will be open for public use starting Friday, 28 November 2025.
Key Information
- Location: Rupert’s, adjacent to Saints Tuna Corporation.
- Opening Date: Friday, 28 November 2025.
- Access: The facilities will remain open to the public at all times, except for when the port is operating at Level 3 (when a ship is in the harbour).
Closure of Old Facilities
From the opening date of the new facilities (Friday, 28 November), the public should no longer use the old toilet facilities, which will be locked and permanently closed. It is intended for the old structure to be demolished and its footprint remediated to blend with the surrounding area.
Request for Respectful Use & Reporting Issues
The public is requested to use the new facilities respectfully to ensure their longevity and cleanliness for all users.
To report any issues regarding fixtures or fittings, please contact Gina Henry, Crown Estates Officer via gina.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh or Tel: 22270.
Waste Management Services is responsible for the routine cleaning of these facilities. All cleanliness issues must be reported to Karl Martin, Environmental Officer Risk Management, via karl.martin@sainthelena.gov.sh or Tel: 24724.
Photos
Baby-changing facility
Gender-neutral toilet
Showers
The new amenity facilities
St Helena Government (SHG) was pleased to celebrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day yesterday, 19 November 2025. GIS Day is an annual global event that highlights the importance of geographic literacy and demonstrates how GIS technology helps solve real-world challenges.
GIS: A Key Tool for St Helena’s Development
GIS is a powerful system for creating, managing, analysing, and mapping all types of data. By connecting data to maps, GIS provides valuable insights into geographic data patterns and relationships, supporting informed decision-making across multiple sectors.
In the lead-up to GIS Day, the SHG GIS team engaged with the local community at the Agriculture Show at Francis Plain on Saturday, 15 November 2025. The team showcased how this technology is already being used to support and enhance St Helena’s agricultural sector.
GIS Manager, Devlin Yon, commented:
“Our presence at the Agriculture Show was a great success. It gave us the chance to show farmers and residents firsthand how GIS can be used to monitor crop health, analyse soil types, and improve irrigation efficiency. Integrating geographic data into agriculture is crucial for sustainable development and resource management on the island.”
Celebrate GIS Day
GIS Day serves as a call to action, encouraging everyone, from students to professionals, to understand and use geographic science and technology. SHG remains committed to expanding GIS use to support evidence-based planning and operations across government departments, including infrastructure, environment, emergency services, and land management.
For more information about what was showcased on GIS Day, please scan the QR code or click the link: https://arcg.is/1GXnfK0
If you would like to participate in our Crop Calendar survey please follow the link and QR code below: https://arcg.is/58SLC
QR Code to Story Map QR Code to Survey
#StHelena #GIS #GISDay
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
SHG
20 November 2025
Personnel from across the St Helena Government (SHG) and key stakeholders have successfully completed International Maritime Organization (IMO) Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Levels 1, 2 and 3 training, delivered by Ambipar Response Ltd between 21–30 October 2025.
The programme, funded by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the FCDO’s OT Civil Resilience programme, included both refresher and new training to maintain St Helena’s capability to prepare for and respond to marine oil spill incidents. Participants represented agencies including Port Control, Sea Rescue, Customs, Environmental Management, Police, and Solomons & Company Plc.
A certificate presentation was held at Plantation House on 30 October 2025, attended by His Excellency the Governor, SHG officials, and the Ambipar training team.
Senior Response Consultant and Trainer at Ambipar, Harry Jolly, said:
“Ambipar are extremely proud to have once again supported SHG and its partners in building resilience and developing their skills in marine oil spill response. It is clear that the island continues to take proactive steps in line with international best practice.”
Portfolio Director, Alex Mitham, added:
“This training ensures St Helena remains ready and capable to respond effectively to pollution incidents, protecting our marine environment and community.”
The training forms part of SHG’s ongoing work to strengthen environmental resilience and uphold international maritime standards.
Photos
Governor Phillips delivers his opening speech at the Certificate Presentation Reception at Plantation House
Ambipar Trainer, Harry Jolly
Certificate recipients
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- The OPRC Levels 1, 2, and 3 training is part of the International Maritime Organization’s Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation framework.
- Ambipar Response Ltd are internationally recognised specialists in environmental emergency response and training.
- Funding for this initiative was secured through the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA.
#StHelena #Maritime #OilSpillResponseTraining
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Tourist Office will be closed from 13:00 tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 November 2025.
Normal operations will resume from 08:30 on Thursday, 20 November 2025.
The Tourist Office would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and the public are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.