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Negotiations for a new long-term licence with Sure concluded this week without agreement, despite extensive efforts by all parties.

The parameters underpinning the negotiations sought to secure a new licence to maximise benefits from the Equiano submarine cable. Sure presented a substantial investment proposal for network infrastructure that would deliver superfast broadband capabilities aligned with agreed objectives.

Both parties invested significant resources over recent months, with SHG technical and legal teams working intensively with Sure to find mutually acceptable terms. The negotiations addressed complex technical, commercial and regulatory requirements for building a new broadband network while ensuring continued provision of the whole range of communication services currently available to businesses and residents on St Helena.

Despite good faith efforts from all parties, agreement could not be reached within the deadline of 30 June 2025. Key challenges centred on balancing St Helena’s long-term interests with commercial operating realities in a market that is experiencing rapid technology change.

Sure will continue providing services under their existing licence issued under the Telecommunications Ordinance 1989.

The modern regulatory framework established under the Communications Ordinance 2025 is now in place, providing robust consumer protection and oversight mechanisms for future licensing arrangements and in the coming months further announcements will be made on the implementation of a Communications Regulator.

St Helena’s communications infrastructure and regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for future development.

#StHelena #LicenceNegotiations

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The Health and Social Care Portfolio has adopted the following schedule of fees, effective 28 May 2025, for individuals who visit St Helena and who are subject to a Short Term Entry Permit (STEP/holiday visa).

It is a requirement of entry for the purposes of immigration that all Short Term Entry Permit (or holiday visa) holders possess valid travel insurance; hold insurance from a St Helena provider; or have sufficient means to cover medical costs.

These fees apply to individuals who visit St Helena either for the purposes of a vacation, day trip, visiting for the purposes of business or work (and not to take up residence in the course of that employment for up to, and including, 183 days) or as part of a medical emergency attendance such as a passing vessel medical emergency.

Specific exemptions to these fees are:

Any individual

These individuals will be charged at the rate applied to residents.

Additionally, in line with the UK reciprocal agreement of 11 May 2023,any individual visiting St Helena for any purpose as outlined above

Remains eligible for medical treatment at the rate charged to residents (dentistry excluded), up to and including any requirement for overseas medical evacuation. Access to elective overseas medical referrals is only available to those individuals who hold St Helenian status.

The Schedule of Fees 2024/25 and Criteria of Application of Overseas Fees – Decision Matrix can be viewed on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/health/.

#StHelena #Schedule of Fees #OverseasVisitors

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Last week, the annual Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference was held in Guernsey, bringing together the UK, Crown Dependencies, and Overseas Territories to discuss maritime governance and shared international responsibilities.

St Helena, a Category 2 member of the REG, operates its own ship registry under the St Helena Merchant Shipping Ordinance 2021, whilst aligning with UK standards. This affiliation ensures strong oversight, global recognition, and access to expert support across the REG network. St Helena was represented at the conference by a four-person delegation:

Each delegate presented on key developments, ongoing challenges, and the strategic risks facing St Helena’s maritime domain.

Mia Henry gave a detailed presentation on how St Helena balances compliance with international maritime obligations whilst ensuring policies and legislation remain fit for the local island context. This prompted broader interest from other jurisdictions, with a commitment to explore the topic further at future forums.

Mia also presented on St Helena’s Maritime Journey, covering the establishment of the Maritime Authority and Advisory Board, and the island’s successful completion of its first International Maritime Organization (IMO) III Code Audit in February 2025. Her presentation showcased the significant progress made over the past five years in embedding maritime governance within the Public Service.

Alex Mitham contributed to the Coastal State Forum on Search and Rescue (SAR), highlighting the island’s unique geographical position, international support challenges owing to the remote location and the need for tailored assistance. It was agreed that St Helena’s requirements will form part of forthcoming workshops, particularly around external support on the development of relevant policies and procedures.

Cherie Dillon, Maritime Policy Consultant, presented on the St Helena Ship Registry, outlining its current challenges and the island’s ongoing efforts to modernise and strengthen its legal and administrative systems.

Cherie commented:

“The REG Conference was a fantastic opportunity to connect with counterparts. The support and collaboration from other members will be invaluable as we continue developing our maritime capabilities.”

Wendy Benjamin, Maritime Capacity Building Support, spoke in the Capacity Building Working Group, sharing St Helena’s journey to rebuild maritime skills and awareness. She highlighted past gaps, current initiatives, and future plans to promote maritime careers despite ongoing challenges.

Wendy commented:

“It was a privilege to attend the conference. The experience helped build valuable connections, and I’ve already received offers of support that will aid our efforts in St Helena.”

The REG Conference also enabled an in-person meeting of the South Atlantic Working Group (SAWG)—a regional forum of maritime authorities from St Helena, Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Tristan da Cunha. St Helena currently serves as the Secretariat for SAWG, which promotes collaboration on maritime safety, environmental protection, and legislative alignment across the South Atlantic Overseas Territories. Discussions focused on key priorities such as SAR, fishing vessel regulation, and training, all vital for strengthening regional maritime capacity. St Helena’s contributions received strong recognition from REG members, with appreciation expressed for the substantial progress achieved in a relatively short time. Special thanks were extended to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for its continued support, particularly the financial assistance that has enabled St Helena to build its maritime capacity.

Alex formally thanked the MCA for all their support over the past years and as a gesture of thanks, the St Helena delegation presented a commemorative plaque to Richard Pellew, Assistant Director for Maritime Governance, Improvement and Assurance of the MCA and Chair of the Conference, which was warmly received.

The Maritime Authority extends sincere gratitude to all stakeholders on the Island who have contributed to building the current foundation of the territory’s maritime sector and to colleagues from the other OTs who have supported St Helena consistently.

Photos

The South Atlantic Working Group (SAWG)

Mia Henry presenting a St Helena plaque to another delegate

The delegates of the REG Conference

#StHelena #Maritime  

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Following from the previous public announcements, the public are advised that Ladder Hill Road will now only be closed from Tuesday, 01 July until 15:30 on Friday, 04 July 2025. During this time, the Roads Section will conduct preparation work to the road surface. This includes replacing a section of slipper drain, repair any road defects and milling of areas.

This change in closure dates is due to the recent shipment of slurry bitumen being below the required specification. As this will have an impact on the surface quality, it is therefore unusable.

New closure dates are scheduled to take place from Monday 04 August 2025 until Friday, 22 August 2025. This will be confirmed once a suitable supply of bitumen arrives on Voyage 18 later in July and is dependent on favourable weather conditions. Planned works include full road width re-surfacing using the mechanised slurry paver, starting from the bottom of the road at China Lane to the top at the Ball Alley.

The Roads Section sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciates your understanding and continued support.

SHG

01 July 2025   

The Register of Electors effective from 30 June 2025 was published yesterday in an Extraordinary Gazette. This register will be used for the forthcoming General Election. Only those named on this register will be able to vote, stand, sponsor or support a candidate to stand in the election.

The 2025 Register of Electors is available on the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/EX-GAZ-71-Register-of-Electors-July-2025

Alternatively, hard copies of the register will be available for viewing at the following locations:

#StHelena #RegisterOfElectors

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Governor Nigel James Phillips CBE has today issued the Writ of Election for the 2025 General Election.

The Writ confirms the last day and time for receiving nominations to elect 12 new members to fill the vacant seats on Legislative Council.

The last day and time for receiving nominations is no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, and all nominations should be delivered to the Returning Officer, Mrs Carol Henry, at the Castle, Jamestown.

Nomination forms are available on the Government website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Nomination-Form-2025.pdf or can be obtained from The Castle reception, the Customer Services Centre and the Public Library.

If more than 12 nominations are received, a Poll will be taken on Wednesday, 03 September 2025, at the following Polling Stations:

The updated Register of Electors effective from 01 July 20205 to be used in the General Election was published on Monday 30 June 2025.

Only those persons with their name on this Register of Electors will be eligible to participate in the General Election, and only those who are 21 years of age and over are able to stand for election.

Further information on nominating a candidate will be issued in this week’s newspapers.

#StHelena #GeneralElection2025 #WritOfElection

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On Monday, 30June 2025 at 23:59, acting in accordance with section 76(b) of the Constitution, HE Governor Nigel Phillips formally dissolved the Legislative Council.  Preparations are now underway for a General Election to take place, with a poll, if needed, on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. This will be the second election under a ministerial system of government, the first having been held in October 2021.

During the time between now and the election of the next Legislative Council, the services provided by the Public Service in the various Portfolios will continue.

Executive Council may still meet if it is necessary to do so but will not make any major new policy decisions, approve any legislation nor make any significant spending commitments unless there is an emergency. 

In the event of an emergency, the Constitution allows the Governor to recall the Legislative Council as necessary following consultation with the Chief Minister. These interim measures are provided in the Constitution to ensure the continuity of government.

#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #Dissolution

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On 26 June 2025 Legislative Council enacted the Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Ordinance 2025.

The purpose of the Ordinance is to seek to prevent:

It is designed to protect the reputation of the jurisdiction of St Helena.

The Ordinance establishes a number of key definitions including:

The definition of business entity and business entities is intended to catch all ‘vehicles’ by which business is conducted, ranging through the traditional entities recognised in English and St Helena law – such as individuals, companies, partnerships etc., to more complex arrangements such as trusts, trust corporations and nominee ships, and other entities formed under other jurisdictions.

The definition of professional services is intended to encompass the typical services provided to business entities such as legal advice or accountancy as well as the more specialised services such as those relating to the establishment of trusts etc.

The Ordinance establishes a series of duties designed to prevent abusive business practices (as defined) in St Helena. In addition, and to strengthen the measures, duties to report suspicion or knowledge of abusive business practices are also imposed on businesses providing trust, trusteeship or nominee ship services and on professional services firms which provide services to those businesses.

The Legislative Council has only immediately commenced the Ordinance for businesses that provide trust, trusteeship and nominee ship services and those that provide services to those businesses. The new government will have the power to commence the Ordinance for any other type of business entity in the future.

Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, Mark Brooks, says on the enactment on the Bill:

“The Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Ordinance is intended to send a message to both local businesses and those from overseas that intend to do business with St Helena that our jurisdiction will not tolerate activities that could harm the island or bring it into disrepute.

I hope that in passing the Ordinance, a clear message is received that this government takes seriously our obligations to tackle illicit finance and other abusive practices. I hope that the new government continues to support the legislative reforms necessary to grow our financial and professional services sectors in the future.”

The Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Bill can be found here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Prevention-of-Abusive-Business-Practices-Bill

#LegislativeCouncil #BillsforOrdinance

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SHG
30 June 2025

The Highways Authority has given approval for Ladder Hill Road and Shy Road to be closed from 09:00 on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to Thursday 31 July 2025 to all vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

This closure is to allow the Roads Section to carry out full-width surface works with the micro-paver for the rehabilitation of the part of the primary road network funded under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).

Emergency services and public transport will also be affected. All vehicles needing to travel in and out of Jamestown during this time must travel via Side Path or Constitution Hill Road.

Please note that Jacobs Ladder will remain accessible, as will the halfway path connecting to Shy Road.

Car sharing is encouraged to reduce the cost of travel.

The Roads Section has inspected all primary roads and are developing a schedule to address priority areas. Upcoming works will take place in the following priority areas:

Dates for scheduled work will be announced nearer the time, pending suitable weather conditions and arrival of bitumen from South Africa.

The public are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding during these important works.

SHG

30 June 2025 

At a meeting of the Executive Council held on 11 March 2025, an increase to the minimum wage of 50p per hour was approved.

This change will take effect from 01 July 2025 and will increase from £4.00 to £4.50 for persons over 18 years, and £3.05 to £3.55 for persons aged 16 or 17 years. This represents an annual increase of 12% and 16% respectively.

The approval of this increase is in line with the objective of establishing a more ambitious minimum wage, benefitting workers and providing adequate time for businesses to plan and adapt.

The principle informing the minimum wage is that of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), which states that “minimum income is based on needs and not wants, but it provides more than what is just needed for survival. It supports social participation and recognises that choice is important, but also that choice cannot be unlimited”. Although the MIS varies for people based on their specific circumstances, the current MIS of at least £5.23 per hour is dependent on the cost of housing, which includes costs to a family for renting accommodation or paying a housing loan, and car ownership.

In determining the increase, consideration was given to the current cost of living pressures on both employees and employers and it was noted that a balance would need to be struck. The Minimum Wage Policy therefore recognises that there is a limit to the size of increases that businesses can absorb in a single year, whilst at the same time acknowledging the need to continue raising the minimum income level on St Helena to go some way in encouraging residents to remain in employment on St Helena.

This year’s increase follows consultations with employers, employees and other relevant stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce.

The minimum wage will be reviewed again in early 2026 and will include public consultation to consider further uplifts for the period 2026/27.

Since its inception in 2013, the minimum wage has raised from £2.30 to £4.50 for persons over 18 years, and from £1.45 to £3.55 for persons aged 16 or 17 years. These increases equate to a 95% and 145% rise respectively.

#StHelena #MinimumWage #AltogetherWealthier

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