3 May 2017
At today’s Executive Council meeting there were two items on the Open Agenda.
Council considered and approved the Financial Services Regulations 2017. These Regulations regulate the standard of banking and financial services provided to the public and are intended to give the public confidence in the security of those services. The Financial Services Regulator has advised on the Regulations and they have been consulted upon.
Council also considered and approved the changes to the Minimum Wage – an increase to £2.95 per hour for all employees having attained the age of 18 years and £2.00 per hour for young people who have attained the age of 16 or 17. Council was keen to introduce these rates with three months’ notice. The precise commencement date would be decided shortly.
It had been decided in the Employment Rights Committee, following consultation, that further work was needed on developing a Living Wage standard and it was not intended to introduce a Living Wage at this time.
In Any Other Business, Council considered the many issues associated with air access. In particular, Council wanted to emphasise that the issues faced by St Helenians based on the Falklands needed to be resolved. The Governor stated that the matter is being considered by colleagues in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Council also debated the contribution payable to the cost of the flight from St Helena to Cape Town scheduled for 3 May 2017. It was agreed that this should be set at £850.00 for those who had not had their journeys on the RMS cancelled for V255 & V256. It was emphasised that this flight was primarily for those who had been unable to travel on the RMS. The price of this flight should not be an indication of the cost of travelling when a contract is agreed for the start of commercial air services.
The meeting concluded at 1.15pm.
ExCo
2 May 2017