Feedback from Governance Commission Public Engagement Sessions

Following the report of the Governance Commission in August, Legislative Council agreed to a programme of public engagement across the Island on the two possible options of a revised Committee system or Ministerial system for the future governance of St Helena.

The public engagement took place between 3 September and 28 September and included numerous community meetings across the Island, a special event for young people, engagement sessions in workplaces, radio programmes, newspaper articles and leaflets distributed across various public locations.

The report to the Legislative Council provides a summary of the feedback gathered from comments made at each public meeting and can be found on the SHG website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-information/

Principal Findings

The key points for consideration raised during the public engagement are as follows:

1. There was a distinct and predominant theme in public opinion to progress ahead with governance reform. The present Committee system was not viewed by most participants as operating effectively and only a few believed it was sufficient for St Helena in the future
2. It was stated frequently by participants that they did not understand how the present Committee system reaches a decision but regarded it as not clearly demonstrating who was responsible at a political level for taking decisions or accountable for the performance of public services
3. A minority of participants did not believe the present Committee needed to be changed or if demonstrated it was necessary then change should be contemplated over a longer timescale varying between six months to two years
4. Those younger participants, who expressed an opinion, sought change immediately. Older participants in some parts of the Island were more sanguine about the need for change or achieving change quickly
5. A modest majority of opinions expressed, based on the information available, favoured the Ministerial system over a revised Committee one. It is cautioned this is only a qualitative view. No quantitative information was gathered
6. A few people suggested substantial changes to the Constitution should be undertaken now. They accepted this may take several years to achieve and this was taken to imply they would prefer a major constitutional change and not a limited amendment focusing on system of governance relating to Part 4 of the 2009 Constitution
7. In the revised Committee option it was asked why the changes had not already been put in place but some questioned if giving a Chair executive decision making powers would undermine the committee system
8. The notion of a Chief Minister in the Ministerial system was well understood, although a view of many participants was the public should have an input into the choice rather than the choice being made by Legislative Council members alone
9. Several participants were concerned the greater level of responsibilities of a minister would require training and candidates with specialist knowledge. Others believed there are appropriate capabilities available on St Helena providing good candidates could be encouraged to stand for election and once elected, supported by a reformed public service
10. There was widespread acknowledgement the workload of councillors and ministers would increase under the alternate governance systems and remuneration levels needed to be greater than the present levels to ensure they are sufficient to retain effective people and attract new candidates
11. Many participants viewed the establishment of scrutiny committees for the Legislative Council Members, under the Ministerial system, as an important balance to the increased powers conferred on ministers
12. The concept of a manifesto to set out a Chief Minister’s objectives for a term of office was seen as a positive feature although there were differing views if a manifesto should be issued before or after a Chief Minister is selected
13. A large proportion of participants favoured the Legislative Council agreeing to stage a consultative poll to decide which governance system should be adopted in the future
14. Some participants expressed a view the poll question should include an option to retain the present Committee system. Others expressed no distinct opinion. Little public interest was expressed in a formal consultation approach
15. Opinion varied on the nature of the Governor’s role under a Ministerial system. Specific changes to be suggested to Part 4 of the Constitution need to be more explicitly defined and discussed with the UK Government.

Next steps

Legislative Council debated the feedback report on Friday, 16 October 2020, and decided upon a Motion to:

• Agree to set up a time-limited Progress Committee (ideally including Elected Member(s), SHG officials, Attorney General’s (AG)  representative, an independent St Helenian involved in the recent governance public engagement, and a Governor’s Office representative) to finalise the operational arrangements for the revised Committee and Ministerial alternative
• Develop and review a draft constitutional amendment (if ministerial system selected)
• Finalise the consultative poll question
• Prepare details on the financial implications of the alternate governance options; and
• Authorise the AG to liaise with the Foreign Office on the draft constitutional amendment. 

Thereafter, the Progress Committee will provide to the Legislative Council the specific design of each governance option, taking into account the feedback report; a poll question; and draft constitutional amendment for a final decision to proceed to a constitutional poll.

The period prior to a poll (if approved subsequently by the Legislative Council) would provide further opportunities for public discussion and consultation.

Governor’s Office, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
16 October 2020