The inaugural meeting of the newly elected Legislative Council took place on 24 July 2013 in the Court House, Jamestown, commencing at 10am.

The proceedings were opened with the entry of the President, His Excellency Governor Capes, followed by Prayers, the Administration of Oaths and Governor Capes’ address to the Council.

The TV broadcast of the first LegCo meeting after the General Election highlights the swearing in of Councillors, the Governor’s Address and the results of the various elections that were held.

The highlights will be shown on Local TV 1: 

Friday:  7: 30pm

Saturday: 7:30am and 7:30pm

Sunday: 11:00 am

Monday:  8: 00 pm

SHG

26 July 2013

At Governor Capes’ invitation and financed by the Governor’s Delegated Fund, a Delegation from the UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will arrive on-Island on Tuesday 30 July.  The Delegation, working with senior SHG officials, will hold a series of seminars for newly elected Councillors, as a major part of their induction process.

The seven-day induction programme has been designed to strengthen and promote good governance in St Helena. 

Members of the Delegation will brief Councillors on their role as Councillors, the leadership required from them, strategic policy making and the function of Committees, dealing with conflicting pressures, working with officials, the importance of keeping the community informed, effective communication, scrutiny and the accountability of Councillors, and the ethical behaviour and standards that are expected from Elected Members. 

Governor Capes said:

‘I am grateful to the CPA for responding so positively to my request for a small team to visit St Helena at this important moment, to help prepare our recently elected Councillors to carry out their new responsibilities.

‘I recognise that it represents a significant commitment from the visiting team in terms of time away from their many duties in the UK and I much appreciate their willingness to assist. Although it is quite costly to bring the team here for a week, I believe it makes good use of the Delegated Funds provided to me by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Our Councillors have a heavy agenda ahead and I want to give them the best possible start.’       

Members of the CPA Delegation are: 

• Lord Shutt of Greetland OBE FCA (a former Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords)
• Barry Paint (an Elected Member – or ‘Deputy’ – on the Island of Guernsey)
• Tim Crookall (a Member of the House of Keys on the Isle of Man)
• Joyce Watson (Welsh Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales since  2007), and
• John Grimes (former Head of Governance at the National Assembly for Wales)

 

SHG

26 July 2013

The public are reminded that as of Thursday, 25 July 2013, slight changes have been made to the bus timetable.

Changes to the timetable are:

On Route C the two trips from Jamestown leaving at 11.30am and again at 12.30pm are now merged. Currently the trip which leaves Jamestown at 11.30am travels to Ladder Hill, Half Tree Hollow, New Ground and White Wall, returning to Jamestown at 12.20pm. The bus which leaves Jamestown at 12.30pm travels to Ladder Hill, White Wall, New Ground and terminates at White Gate.

Now, the merged, single trip leaves the Grand Parade, Jamestown at 12 noon, travels to Ladder Hill, Half Tree Hollow, White Wall, New Ground, Cleughs Plain, Rosemary Plain, and Scotland, before terminating at White Gate. Following this termination, the normal Route B runs, beginning at 1.35pm (details of this run can be found on the existing timetable).

The public should note that this newly merged trip from Jamestown will not run on a Wednesday and Sunday. Similar trips running on these days will leave Jamestown at 8.30am, 3pm and 9pm. These trips on a Wednesday will now only travel as far as the CCC. But subject to the demand of Hospital staff also using this run, the bus might travel further, to take staff home.

These changes to the revised timetable will cut out less frequently used routes and offer more ‘in demand’ routes.

SHG
26 July 2013

The inaugural meeting of the newly elected Legislative Council took place today in the Court House, Jamestown, starting at 10am.

The proceedings were opened with the entry of the President, His Excellency Governor Capes, followed by Prayers and the Administration of Oaths. Governor Capes presided until the Speaker was elected.

Oaths were taken before the Governor, first by Ex-Officio Members, the Acting Chief Secretary, Acting Financial Secretary and the Attorney General, and then by Elected Members.

Governor Capes then addressed Legislative Council (see earlier press release) after which the following elections took place:

Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Mr Eric Benjamin was elected as Speaker of the House, with Mrs Cathy Hopkins as Deputy Speaker. Following these elections and due to Mr Benjamin currently being off-Island, Madam Deputy Speaker assumed chairmanship (once the appropriate Oaths had been taken).

In her address to the House, Madam Deputy Speaker reminded Members of the weight of responsibility they now carry during their term in Office as leaders of the community – how the Island progresses will be theirs to frame. She wished them well and offered her full support.

Election of Committee Chairmen

Elected Members were then asked to elect from amongst themselves Chairmen for the five Council Committees. The following were elected:

Economic Development Committee – Councillor Lawson Henry

Education Committee – Councillor Christine Scipio-O’Dean

Environment & Natural Resources Committee – Councillor Cyril George

Health &Social Services Committee – Councillor Ian Rummery

Social & Community Development Committee – Councillor Nigel Dollery

Members of these committees will be appointed by Governor Capes after consultation with the relevant Chairmen. Detailed allocations of responsibilities will be dealt with separately to allow for consultation with the new Councillors on the detail of which Committees cover which areas.

Election of Executive Council Members

Members elected to serve on Executive Council were Councillors Lawson Henry, Ian Rummery, Cyril George, Christine Scipio-O’Dean and Nigel Dollery.

Election of Members of the Public Accounts Committee

The final election was for three members to serve on the Public Accounts Committee, Members elected were Councillors Brian Isaac, Tony Green and Leslie Baldwin.

The final business of the morning was the customary Adjournment Debate, allowing Members to speak on issues they wished to take forward. This was followed with a response from Acting Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis in which she congratulated newly Elected Members, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and thanked Directors and employees of SHG and ESH for their ongoing hard work and support.

The meeting closed around 12.30pm.

SHG
24 July 2013

This morning HE Governor Capes addressed the first meeting of the St Helena Legislative Council since the General Election held on 17 July 2013. Here is the Governor’s Address in full:

“My Lord Bishop, I thank you warmly for your presence here this morning and for inviting God’s blessings and guidance. Thank you also, for all that you do, with such enthusiasm, love and compassion, for our community.

Honourable Members, colleagues, I welcome this opportunity to address you at the beginning of the term of this new Legislative Council. I should like first to congratulate each one of you for standing for election and on winning the confidence of those that you are here to represent. I offer special acknowledgment to Councillor Olsson who I believe is here to serve on Council for her fifth term. I should also acknowledge those that stood unsuccessfully at the General Election. I thank them for their willingness to serve the people of St Helena.

It would be most remiss of me not to pause here, to mention the excellent work of the Returning Officer, Mrs Gilly Francis. She, and her team, managed the preparations for the election and the count itself quite superbly. Mrs Francis, currently our acting Chief Secretary, is an outstanding public servant and trusted colleague whose professionalism sets the high standard that others may strive to achieve; I am most grateful to her.

My thanks also to our hugely capable and experienced Attorney General, Ken Baddon, for his invaluable input to the election process and for the steady supply of sound advice that he so readily provides to guide our work. That I have enjoyed every single day of my work here is due in large part to having such first class colleagues.

During the run up to the General Election, one often heard the remark that this would be the most important General Election in the history of St Helena. I would not disagree. The status quo of seemingly endless dependency on DfID has gone forever. St Helena is on a new compass bearing now, one that steers away from reliance on the taxes of people 5,000 miles away. We are approaching a new era, an era that will bring many challenges, as well as new opportunities. At the dawn of air access in 2016, this Legislative Council will be in the driving seat. Whether St Helena is well positioned, ready to prosper and benefit from this new era, will depend on you. Whether the people of St Helena will be properly prepared, ready to face that new era with confidence, without fear, will depend on you. The people of St Helena have put their trust in you to guide the Island.

I believe that they want you to deliver greater opportunity and prosperity, ensuring that all who live here can share in that prosperity, ensuring that those who need extra help and care will receive it and ensuring that the environment and cultural heritage is properly safeguarded. I believe that is the essence of the challenge that you face. And the people of St Helena, to whom you are accountable, will rightly judge you on your performance.

You will have your own ideas on how to meet the challenge ahead. But I should like to offer to you a few thoughts on laying the foundations for progress; thoughts that are drawn from my observations over the past year or so.

The people look to you for leadership. They want to see leadership. I urge you to provide that leadership and the accountability that must accompany it. That involves being prepared to explain and stand by your decisions. When the going gets tough, it is important to resist taking the ignoble route of looking to officials or others to provide cover for your decisions. You make the decisions, you own them, you explain and justify them.

Encourage good communication and trust between each other and with public servants. Avoid being labelled as one of those that constantly criticise and find fault. How idle it is, how utterly unhelpful and negative it is, to just criticise and blame others. How much more constructive, how much more intelligent, to work, to work together, to find a remedy.

Tell the people where you are taking St Helena. An absolutely vital and continuous part of your job must be to make the time to explain fully to the people where we are heading and why; and crucially, what that will mean for them.

I offer these thoughts for you to consider as you prepare to take on the heavy responsibility of government. You may choose to disregard them of course, but if you were to heed them I believe that you would soon improve the historically poor image that many people have of Councillors, and by extension of government. My challenge to you, starting from today, is to improve the reputation and worth of Councillors in the eyes of the people of this Island.

For my part, as Governor and head of the government, I commit to working with you and with officials to help meet the challenges ahead to serve the best interests of all the people of St Helena. Let us work together, in partnership, to build a stronger St Helena, to deliver the full potential of this wonderfully special and much loved Island.

Thank you.”

Governor Mark Capes
24 July 2013

 

There are only 9 days left before the closing date of the St Helena photography competition – on Wednesday 31 July.  So be quick if you want to enter!

If you still have any questions, then feel free to contact 2368.

All photos submitted must be taken on St Helena, but otherwise there are no conditions.  Existing photographs will be accepted, or those taken especially for the competition, and can be of any subject.  For example, your family or friends, your home surroundings, a celebration or your favourite spot on the Island.  Indoors or outdoors, high quality or not – please feel free to submit all types of photographs that reflect any aspect of your life on this Island.  We’re not just interested in beautiful photographs – we want the day to day images too.

A maximum of 5 pictures can be submitted for judging and should (ideally) be stored on a CD or a memory stick, and placed in an envelope with a description of the pictures and approximate date/s taken, together with your name, age category, and contact details.  Entries should be addressed to Ian Jones, Chief Public Relations Officer, 1 Main Street. They can be posted or dropped off at the office.

Remember – terrific prizes for first place (£150), second (£75) and third (£50) will be awarded in each of three age categories.  These are those aged 10-15, 16-21 and 22 years and over. 

This is your chance to show what your Island is all about!

SHG

23 July 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To celebrate the end of another school year, Prince Andrew School held its annual End of School Concert and Melodrama Evening on Friday 19 July 2013. Those who participated included the lunchtime and after school musical groups, the GCSE music group, the after school Melodrama Club and Made in St Helena (the School’s rock band).

Head Girl Eira Stevens hosted the evening and introduced the acts. Also attending were, Cathy Hopkins, Flute and Clarinet tutor and Pastor Graeme Beckett, Trumpet tutor.

Although entrance was free, money was donated generously by the public to put towards the School’s fund for music education. There was also a sale of CDs with the talents of the Schools very own vocals group.

Paul Starkie, Head Teacher of Prince Andrew School, opened the evening by welcoming members of the public and guests, including HE Governor Capes, accompanied by Mrs Capes.  Paul said that they were in for “a musical feast”.

There was a challenge for most students, as those who were part of the GCSE Music group performed a solo for their coursework.

The Melodrama Club provided entertainment to the audience by performing “I Wish I Was Our Sammy” and excerpts from “Blood Brothers” – both by Willy Russell.

The evening was rounded off with a performance by Made in St Helena, with the group singing Emeli Sande’s “Next to me”.

Music teacher and director of the evening, Teeny Lucy commented:

“I am very pleased with the concert overall, especially the standard of the performances from the students. They’ve worked hard over the past year learning various instruments, plus choir and drama. They produced an enjoyable evening for all. With the money collected from purchasing of the vocals CD and the donations on the night, there is a total of over £300. being put towards the music education fund.”

Picture attached

SHG

23 July 2013

Speaking on receiving the happy news from London yesterday evening, His Excellency Governor Mark Capes said:

‘On behalf of the people of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, I send warm greetings and congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of their son.’

The Governor,
St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha,
23 July 2013

Just over a year since its launch, Enterprise St Helena (ESH) hosted an official Open Day on Friday 19 July 2013 to mark its first year in operation.

Attended by His Excellency Governor Capes, newly Elected Members and other distinguished guests and officials, the Open Day, held at the ESH Business Park at Ladder Hill, sought to inform attendees of what ESH has been doing over the last 12 months, showcase the opportunities and activities that will be available in the next 32 months (the estimated period until the airport opening), and showcase opportunities for development and business growth.

Governor Capes officially opened the ESH Offices at 3pm, and commented:

“The opening of the airport in early 2016 will give St Helena a chance to halt the economic decline of past decades, turning it around so that it can begin to grow and support the needs of St Helena. It will do this by providing good jobs and the revenue we would like to see spent on our Health Care, Schools and Social Services.

“This means that Saints need to take advantage of new business opportunities that air access will make possible, by either improving and expanding existing businesses here or starting new ones – that is why we need ESH who are here to help Saints to get involved and to share in growing our economy.”

Following a blessing by Bishop Richard, Governor Capes unveiled the plaque at the cornerstone of the ESH Offices and declared the Enterprise St Helena offices officially opened.

A specially made cake for the occasion was cut by the oldest and newest tenants of the Business Park, after which attendees were able to browse the ESH offices and visit the tenants to find out more about the services they offer.

The work of ESH focuses on six key areas:
• Tourism Promotion
• Up-skilling Saints
• Helping Saint Businesses to Plan for Growth
• Assisting Saint Businesses with Finance
• Fisheries Development
• Attracting Investment (Both local and international).

SHG
22 July 2013

The revised bus timetable, introduced on 22 May 2013, will see further changes later this week, as a result of information collected since the trial bus service started on 11 February 2013.

Changes to the revised timetable will cut out less frequently used routes and offer routes that are more ‘in demand’. These changes will take effect from Thursday 25 July 2013.

Changes to the current timetable are as follows:

On Route C the two trips from Jamestown leaving at 11.30am and again at 12.30pm will be merged. Currently the trip which leaves Jamestown at 11.30am travels to Ladder Hill, Half Tree Hollow, New Ground and White Wall, returning to Jamestown at 12.20pm. The bus which leaves Jamestown at 12.30pm travels to Ladder Hill, White Wall, New Ground and terminates at White Gate.

From Thursday, the merged, single trip will leave the Grand Parade, Jamestown at 12 noon, travel to Ladder Hill, Half Tree Hollow, White Wall, New Ground, Cleughs Plain, Rosemary Plain, and Scotland, before terminating at White Gate. Following this termination will be the normal Route B run, which begins at 1.35pm (Details of this run can be found on the existing timetable).

Exact times for each stop on the newly merged route can be obtained from Joshua’s Taxis on 3648.

The second change to the timetable is the removal of the Route B public transport run on a Wednesday. The bus which leaves the Grand Parade at 8.30am, 3pm and 9pm will now only travel as far as the CCC. But subject to the demand of Hospital staff also using this run, the bus might travel further, to take staff home.

Acting Deputy Chief Secretary, Derek Henry, said of these changes:

“The reason for further refining the current trial bus timetable is to better cater for public demand.

“We received suggestions about certain routes and taking these comments into consideration we have tried to arrange routes to benefit the majority of our users. These changes will hopefully provide the best mix for our final timetable, which will be published once the trial service finishes at the end of August.”

SHG
22 July 2013