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Governor Capes has today issued the Writ of Election, for the 12 March Bye-Election.

The Writ confirms the last day and time for receiving Nominations to elect a Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council, following the resignation of Tony Green in December 2013.

The last day and time for nominations is 12 noon on Wednesday 26 February 2014 and all nominations should be delivered within this time to the Returning Officer, Mrs Gillian Francis, at the Castle, Jamestown.

If more than one valid nomination is received, a Poll will be taken. Polling Day will take place on Wednesday 12 March 2014, at the following Polling Stations:

• Blue Hill Community Centre

• Half Tree Hollow Community Centre

• Harford Community Centre

• Judges Lodge at Alarm Forest

• Kingshurst Community Centre

• Levelwood Community Centre

• Jamestown Community Centre, and

• Sandy Bay Community Centre

The Register of Electors has now been amended to take account of applications received and has today been published in an Extraordinary Gazette. This new Register will be used in the Bye-Election. Only those persons with their name on the new Register of Electors will be eligible to stand for Legislative Council, providing they are over the age of 21 years.

Only persons named on the amended Register will be able to vote in the Bye-Election. A copy of the amended Register of Electors can be found on the SHG website (https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government-gazettes/) and at the following locations around the Island:

• All Community Centres

• The Public Library

• The Customer Service Centre

• The Post Office

• Half Tree Hollow Supermarket

• The Agriculture and Natural Resources Office, Scotland

• Head O’ Wain Clinic • Audrey Yon’s Shop, Blue Hill

• Sandy Bay shops,

• Silver Hill Shop, and

• The Longwood Supermarket.

Assistant Registration Officers in the different districts around the Island will also have copies of the new Register, together with nomination forms.

The Assistant Registration Officers are as follows: • Jamestown – Robert Essex, Alicia Thomas, Olive Williams, Douglas Bennett • Levelwood – Ronald Coleman, Pamela Joshua • Longwood – Paula Moyce, Christina Henry • Alarm Forest – Jane Augustus, Brenda Thomas • Half Tree Hollow – Karen Yon, Michelle Yon, Connie Johnson • St Paul’s – Alfreda Yon, Jackie Moyce • Blue Hill – Stedson Francis, Georgina Young • Sandy Bay – Alfred Isaac, Anita Legg.

The Assistant Registration Officer Gerrilyn Crowie, on Ascension Island, will also hold a copy of the amended Register. Alternatively, the Register is available from Corporate Support at the Castle – and further details may be obtained from the Registration and Returning Officer, Gillian Francis, at the Castle on telephone numbers 22470 or 22314 or via email: deputychiefsec@sainthelena.gov.sh

Further information on the Bye-Election will be published in due course.

SHG

7 February 2014

Further to the announcement regarding the closure of the Wharf on the afternoon of Thursday 6 February through to 8.30am on Monday 10 February, HM Customs and the Port Authority wish to clarify that the closure on Saturday 8 Feb and Sunday 9 Feb will be to the general public only – and will not affect those who have sought and received prior authorisation from HM Customs or the Port Authority to access the area.

SHG

6 February 2014

Jan Anderson arrived on Island on 17 February on a three and a half month contract with the Heath and Social Welfare Directorate as an Electro Bio-Medical Engineer.

Jan explained: 

“Electro Bio-Medical Engineering is about taking care of various machines used to treat patients.  They can be anything from anaesthesia to incubator equipment.  I ensure all machines are working effectively and are properly maintained, and do not present a danger to the patient.”

Jan will register all medical equipment at the Hospital, repairing those that are damaged and sending several offshore for maintenance, as some cannot be repaired on-Island.  Additionally, he will set up a maintenance programme and arrange for adequate spare parts to be delivered to St Helena, to pre-empt the possibility of malfunctioning medical equipment.   

The biggest challenge for Jan is working alone – as opposed to the Hospital in Sweden, where he works with 60 colleagues in the electro bio-medical field – and the time it takes for the delivery of spare parts to the Island in comparison with the 24 hour wait in Sweden.  

Jan has worked in this field for 30 years, at Skane University Hospital.  He also has his own business, examining the condition of equipment used in plastic surgery and in animal hospitals.      

 

SHG

4 February 2014

 

Arriving on-Island on Thursday 6 February will be Inspector Matthew (Matt) Webb from Sussex Police in the UK. During his three weeks on St Helena, Inspector Webb will be working with the St Helena Police Service to develop Neighbourhood (Community) Policing on the Island.

Director of Policing, Trevor Botting, said:

“I am delighted that Inspector Webb will be working with local police officers to enhance community policing. It is vital that my policing team forge solid links with the community so we can understand what issues are important to them and work together to resolve them.

“Inspector Webb’s experience and knowledge will be invaluable in further developing policing on the Island that is locally delivered, trusted and engaged with the communities we serve.”

Inspector Webb has 23 years of policing experience and has worked extensively in Neighbourhood Policing, working with partners and the community to reduce crime and enhance community safety.

Director of Policing

SHG

4 February 2014

 

Due to the arrival of the RMS on Thursday 6 February 2014, the Wharf will be closed to the public and merchants from 2pm, or – in case of any changes in the scheduled arrival time – one hour before the RMS arrives. No collection of goods or cargo can take place after this time.

The Wharf will remain closed throughout Friday 7 February 2014 due to the visit of the cruise ship and the departure formalities of the RMS.

The Wharf will reopen for normal business at 8.30am on Monday 10 February 2014.

SHG

4 February 2014

Arriving on-Island on Thursday 6 February will be Educational Psychologist Grainne Mckenna.  Grainne will be working within the Education Directorate during February, March and April this year.

Whilst on Island Grainne will be visiting all the schools and conducting detailed individual assessments of children and young people, with the goal of improving learning within the classroom.

Director of Education, Colin Moore, said:

“I am delighted that Grainne McKenna will be joining us when the RMS arrives on Thursday 6 February.  St Helena has a small but significant number of children with quite complex educational needs. This visit presents an opportunity not only for some detailed individual assessment work, but also for some specialist training in psychological assessment for our local staff.

Grainne will also be meeting with parents and running a number of parenting workshops during her stay on the Island. This visit would not have been possible without the support of DfID, who have provided the funding for the work that will be done.”

Grainne has previous experience as an Educational Psychologist – working in Dublin, and sitting on several national education and safeguarding boards in Ireland.  Educational Psychologists are specialists in how to assess children’s problems with learning and behaviour.

SHG

3 February 2014

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will meet formally on Monday 10 February 2014 at 9am in the Court House, Jamestown. The public are invited to attend.

The Agenda is as follows:                                                 

 

1. 1.    Introduction by PAC Chairperson                                                                  

 

1. 2.    St Helena Government: Financial Statements 2011-2012 and Audit Management Letter

 

• In Attendance:  Financial Secretary and Head of Internal Audit

1. 3.    St Helena National Trust: Annual Report and Financial Statements

2012-2013  

   

• In Attendance: Director of St Helena National Trust

                           

4. Value for Money Review, Government Landlord Housing            

   

• In Attendance: Chairman, Social & Community Development Committee and Housing Executive

 

5. St Helena Audit Service Annual Plan – Presented by Acting Chief Auditor

               

6. Concluding Remarks – PAC Chairperson                                                                                            

 

SHG

3 February 2014

Susan O’Bey, currently SHG’s Director of Strategic Policy and Planning, has been appointed as Enterprise St Helena’s new Deputy Chief Executive for Economic Development.  Susan’s new role – which she will take up next week – will include supporting the incoming Chief Executive to deliver Enterprise St Helena’s strategic agenda, enabling its business plan to be turned into reality. Susan will take responsibility for the overall day to day management and operation of ESH.

Reporting to the incoming Chief Executive for Economic Development (CEED), the Deputy CEED will have the key liaison role with St Helena Government (SHG), the Department for International Development (DfID), the Air Access Office (AO) and will support the CEED in partnering the private sector.

Priorities will include supporting Saint businesses, developing and promoting tourism, attracting Saint and international investors, up-skilling Saints, growing the fisheries sector and developing local financing packages.

Commenting on her new role Susan said:

“I am really looking forward to working with the team at Enterprise St Helena. As the Island continues to prepare for air access, the right decisions and actions around investment and tourism become even more crucial. Enterprise St Helena has a pivotal role to play in supporting the private sector and bringing together the views and actions of all key stakeholders to ensure that the Island is ready in all aspects when the first flight lands in 2016.”

Governor Capes said:

“Susan O’Bey is an outstanding public servant. She will bring to ESH valuable experience and skills to help drive forward our vital work to position St Helena to exploit the opportunities that air access will make possible. Susan will have my full support in her new role.”

SHG

31 January 2014

 

 

Due to very favourable weather conditions and good speed, the RMS St Helena’s estimated time of arrival at St Helena is now 4.30pm this afternoon (Friday 31 January) – improving upon the 7.30pm timing previously advised. SHG 31 January 2014

HM Customs and Revenue (HMCR) would like to advise the public that with immediate effect all telephone communication for HM Customs, Port Management and Income Tax should be directed through the HMCR switchboard on telephone 22287.

Please note that all other numbers previously associated with these sections are no longer in use.

SHG

30 January 2014