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St Helena is experiencing a north-westerly swell with unexpected unsettled sea conditions in James Bay and Rupert’s Bay, likely to continue until further notice.

Extreme caution is advised for swimmers, and boat owners must secure vessels. Motorists are advised to avoid parking near sea-front railings.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

The St Helena Resilience Forum – Warning and Informing Group, in consultation with Connect Saint Helena Ltd, has officially moved the island into Stage One of the Drought Response Plan. This action is necessary to protect our remaining water reserves and to avoid a severe water crisis in the coming weeks, caused by steadily falling surface water flows, increased consumption, and rising temperatures.

Protecting Our Collective Water Supply

To maintain a reliable water supply over the coming weeks, national resilience depends on every resident, business, and government department taking proactive steps now to extend our available water resources. By managing our water carefully today, we can help ensure there is enough to support the entire island until the rains return.

How we can work together

•        Save water wherever possible: Every litre saved helps our supply last longer.

•        Reduce non-essential water use: Please avoid washing cars and unnecessary watering of plants, gardens, or lawns during this period.

•        Use water responsibly: Being mindful now will help ensure there is enough water for everyone in the weeks ahead.

The situation is being monitored daily, and regular updates will be provided as conditions change.

#StHelena #DroughtManagementPlan

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A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 27 January 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 18 November 2025  
3. Matters Arising from Minutes of 18 November 2025  
4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 16 December 2025  
5. Matters Arising from Minutes of 16 December 2025  
6. Financial Services Regulation Policy, 2025 (ExCo Memo 01/2026)  
7. Land Registry Fees (ExCo Memo 02/2026)  
8. Ministerial Updates on significant issues  
9. 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

Executive Council confirmed and signed off the minutes of meetings held on 18 November and 16 December 2025.

6.         Financial Services Regulation Policy, 2025 (ExCo Memo 01/2026)

Executive Council was asked to advise on the endorsement of the Policy which was approved by Executive Council in January 2025; the approval  of the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to be presented as Government business to the Legislative Council and the approval in principle of the Financial Services (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, to come into force following enactment of the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Executive Council noted that the Policy addresses significant shortcomings in the existing financial services framework and is designed to achieve four key objectives:

Members considered the consultation conducted and feedback received. Executive Council noted that the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) was content. The Executive Council approved the Financial Services Regulation Policy, 2025; the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to be presented as Government business to Legislative Council in March 2026 and approved in principle the associated Regulations.

7.         Land Registry Fees (ExCo Memo 02/2026)

Executive Council considered proposed increases to the Second Schedule of the Registered Land Rules, 1981, relating to land registration fees and services, with effect from 1 April 2026.

Members noted that demand for land registry services is consumer-led and that the proposed increases are expected to have minimal impact on the community. It was also noted that current fees have remained unchanged since 1981 and that the proposed increases reflect inflation only. Executive Council approved the changes in fees acknowledging also that a comprehensive review of all fees and charges will be undertaken in due course, including full cost recovery analysis.

8.           Ministerial Updates on significant issues

9.         Any Other Business

No matters were raised.

#StHelena #ExCo #Toplines

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The Minister for Health and Social Care, Martin Henry, and the Chief Medical Officer, Peter Moss, will depart St Helena on Saturday 31 January 2026 to undertake an official visit to Montserrat, returning to the island on Saturday, 14 February 2026.  The visit forms part of a reciprocal health systems exchange between the Governments of St Helena and Montserrat, supported and facilitated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Purpose of the visit

The central purpose of the visit is to deepen mutual understanding of how two small UK Overseas Territories with aid dependent health systems organise and govern health and public health services while recognising the different contexts in which they operate. Both St Helena and Montserrat have similar constitutional responsibilities for Health and Social Care and rely on a mix of on island primary and some secondary care, complemented by off-island referral arrangements for advance treatment.

The programme will focus on: 

Minister for Education, Skills and Employment, Andrew Turner, will be the point of contact in Minister Henry’s absence and can be contacted via email at andrew.turner@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Photo

Minister Martin Henry

Chief Medical Officer, Peter Moss

#StHelena #AltogetherHealthier

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The 2026 Financial Aid Mission (FAM) to St Helena concluded on Friday after a week of high-level talks and site visits. The mission ended with a press conference at the Governor’s Office, where representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the St Helena Government (SHG) reflected on progress made during the visit.

The mission, which began on 19 January, brought together a largely new UK Government (UKG) delegation and the new ministerial team on St Helena. Discussions focused on the state of the island’s public finances, long-term revenue options and the Government’s Cross-Portfolio Plan. The FAM is held annually to review how UK Government funding is delivered, assess its effectiveness and consider what changes are needed to improve sustainability. Financial aid remains a core part of SHG’s budget, supporting essential public services and day-to-day operations.A key theme was the need to ensure that every pound of UK taxpayer funding delivers maximum value for money.

During the week, the delegation met with Ministers, Elected Members and officials, as well as private sector representatives and community groups. Site visits across the island provided first-hand insight into challenges and opportunities facing St Helena.

Discussions covered several key areas, including economic development, essential services and infrastructure. Talks on sustainable development examined approaches to economic growth and tourism, as well as telecommunications. The team visited Jamestown Wharf to explore development options and toured the Marine Centre, where discussions focused on the Blue Belt Programme, marine conservation and fisheries.

In Education and Health, the delegation reviewed progress on education reform and visited St Helena Secondary School. Health discussions focused on preventative care and rising cost pressures within the Health and Social Care Portfolio.

The mission also received updates on the Renewable Energy Programme and visited Scotland laboratory and viewed the peaks from outside the exclusion area, to review terrestrial biodiversity projects. On safety and security, the team toured the police custody suite, HM Prison Jamestown, Rupert’s Port and the Bulk Fuel Installation, with discussions covering policing, safeguarding and critical infrastructure.

Beyond formal meetings, the delegation engaged with the wider community, including a meeting with the Public Accounts Committee, discussions with local businesses and a visit to SHAPE. Community engagement also included a marine tour aboard the Enchanted Isle and a coffee tour, highlighting the island’s tourism and agricultural sectors.

Discussions throughout the week were described as open and candid, with agreement that St Helena faces serious and complex challenges and that there are no quick solutions. This year’s mission took place against the backdrop of significant economic pressures in the UK, with the UKG having to make extremely tough decisions on Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending. In this context, it is more important than ever to demonstrate that funding is well-managed and targeted where it is most needed.

The outcomes of the mission, including setting conditions, are expected to help unlock future budget support and ensure continued investment in essential services and infrastructure. The FAM delegation departed St Helena on Saturday following a final visit to St Helena Airport.

Officials said the mission marked the beginning of continued close work between SHG and UKG, with a shared focus on stabilising public finances, protecting essential services and creating conditions for economic growth and jobs.

Deputy Director for Overseas Territories and the Polar Directorates, Nicholas Wareham MVO, commented:

“Strong partnerships depend on mutual understanding. This year’s Financial Aid Mission has given the UK team a strong understanding of the challenges St Helena is facing, as well as the opportunities for economic development on offer. We have spent time down on the waters and up at the Cloud Forest, over at Blue Point and in discussions in Jamestown. We are grateful to all those Saints who shared their perspectives with us and made us so welcome.”

Chief Minister, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE, added:

“This year’s Financial Aid Mission has been an especially important one, bringing together new teams on both sides. I want to thank the FAM team and everyone who has contributed through meetings, events and site visits, giving us the opportunity to build a strong, constructive partnership. The discussions have helped deepen mutual understanding of the pressures facing St Helena and the UK, while allowing us to demonstrate the progress being made, people’s lived experiences and the opportunities for future growth.”

Photos

HE Governor Nigel Phillips CBE and Chief Minister Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE with the FAM team, Legislative Council and senior SHG officials

The FAM team were taken on a ‘Wharf Walk’ with representatives of the Economic Development Portfolio

The FAM team viewed the Peaks from outside the exclusion area with Minister Karl Thrower and representatives of the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio

The FAM team on a tour at St Helena Secondary School with Minister Andrew Turner and Education, Skills, and Employment senior officials

HE Governor Nigel Phillips hosted a reception for the FAM team and invited guests last Wednesday at Plantation House

The panel at the press conference held last Friday comprised Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, Chief Minister Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE and Deputy Director Nicholas Wareham MVO

#StHelena #FinancialAidMission

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The St Helena Dental Clinic is moving to an appointment-only service for all dental emergencies, effective immediately. The morning Walk-In Clinic (08:30) is no longer in operation.

How to Access Emergency Care:

Patients requiring emergency dental care must now book an appointment in advance. We can no longer see patients on a walk-in basis.

Why is this changing?

This transition is designed to improve patient care by reducing long waiting times and overcrowding. By scheduling emergencies, our team can provide more focused, timely care to those in genuine need.

What counts as an emergency?

Our emergency services remain the same and include:

Out-of-Hours Care

For emergencies outside of normal hours, patients must first attempt appropriate pain relief and undergo face-to-face triage at the General Hospital Emergency Department.

Contact Information:

For further information, please contact the Dental Clinic at 25387 or email the Dental Manager, Charmaine Buckley-Thomas, at charmaine.buckley@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Please be advised that the Museum Car Parks will be closed on Wednesday, 28 January, from 09:00 to 15:00.

This closure is necessary to allow the Rock Guards to conduct essential safety inspections of the cliff faces and areas situated directly above the parking zones.

To ensure the area is clear for inspection, we kindly ask all members of the public to vacate these car parks by the evening of Tuesday, 27 January.

Directional and advisory signs will be prominently displayed throughout the area.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation in keeping our public spaces safe.

The car parks beside and behind the Museum will be closed on Wednesday 28 January 2026

Please be advised of a temporary adjustment to the Monday to Friday Bottom Woods public bus schedule, effective from Monday, 26 January 2026, to Saturday, 07 March 2026.

These changes are necessary to accommodate the upcoming Road Maintenance Programme taking place in Longwood, specifically covering the stretch of road from Longwood Gate to Hutts Gate.

Key Changes for Passengers:

View the Revised Schedule

We encourage all commuters to plan ahead. The full revised schedule is available for download on the St Helena Government website via the link below:

Revised PTS Route 1 Schedule (PDF) SHG and the transport team thank the public for their patience and co-operation while these essential road improvements are completed

The Education, Skills and Employment (ESE) Portfolio has entered the first phase of its transition to the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 model for primary schools, with the start of the new school term this week. This project is UK-funded through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).

To protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students and staff, and to minimise disruption to teaching and learning during ongoing school renovations, Key Stage 1 learners will attend St Paul’s Primary School and Key Stage 2 learners will attend Pilling Primary School until works on their respective schools are completed.

In addition to the new locations, the bus transportation system has brought significant changes and challenges. The St Helena Secondary School first experienced the impact of the new routes and schedules when its term began on 7 January, and the primary schools have since followed this week.

Special thanks are also extended to Colin’s Garage, the school bus contractor, for their commitment and dedication throughout this complex transition. Collecting students and staff from across all districts, ensuring arrival at Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and the Secondary School by 09:00, and returning students home within an hour is no small task. While some routes are still experiencing delays and difficulties, Colin’s Garage is working tirelessly to resolve these issues, and many parents and students have already reported improvements in their journeys.

As part of this transition, ESE will also begin trialling bus route and transfer-point supervisors, starting with primary school students. These trials will run alongside a comprehensive review of the island’s school transportation system over the coming months. Feedback from parents, staff, and students will be invaluable in refining and strengthening transport arrangements ahead of the official launch of the Key Stage 1 School in September. Please contact School Reorganisation and Education Review Programme Manager, Nichole Spence at nichole.spence@sainthelena.edu.sh.

ESE extends its sincere gratitude to our students, parents, and staff for their steadfast patience and support during this transition. While we recognise that these changes have caused disruption for some, we are deeply grateful for the community’s continued co-operation as we fine-tune our systems. We sincerely apologise to those who faced difficulties during the opening days of the term; however, as these improvements progress, we are confident that the most significant challenges are now behind us. Ultimately, we believe these refinements represent a vital step forward in ensuring student safety and wellbeing, providing families with greater peace of mind on every journey to and from school.

#StHelena #PrimaryReorganisation #AltogetherBetterforChildrenandYoungPeople

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The St Helena Government is pleased to announce the commencement of the first stage of public consultation for a new Land Development Control Plan (LDCP). This vital exercise aims to modernise the island’s planning framework, replacing the current 2012 plan which predates the construction of the airport.

As the existing LDCP has exceeded its original timeframe, an update is essential to ensure land development policies reflect the island’s current needs and guide sustainable growth for the next 10 to 15 years. Once adopted, these new policies will serve as the primary criteria for the Land Development Control Authority (LDCA) when making decisions on development applications.

Shaping the Future: Your Input Needed

This initial consultation phase seeks to understand what residents value in the current plan and what priorities should be addressed in the new version. Public feedback at this early stage is critical to ensuring the new LDCP reflects the community’s vision for the island’s future.

How to Participate

The consultation period runs from Friday, 23 January 2026, to Friday, 6 February 2026. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback via a dedicated Questionnaire, which includes a section for additional suggestions.

Open Sessions

To assist the public and answer questions, the Planning Office will host two Open Sessions at Essex House:

Submission Guidelines

Completed Questionnaires should be submitted via:

While individual acknowledgments will not be sent, all responses will be collated and reported to the LDCA and the Minister for ENRP and ED. This data will directly inform the drafting of the new plan.

Future Consultations

This is only the first stage of the process. Future rounds of consultation, including reviews of draft land-use policies, will be announced on the SHG website and in the local press. To receive updates directly via email, participants may provide their contact details at the end of the Questionnaire.

SHG thanks the community in advance for participating in this essential step toward a modern development framework.

#StHelena #LandDevelopmentControlPlan #PublicConsultation

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