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In July 2023, the SHG budget for 2023/24 was approved by Legislative Council. The budget allocated a total of £47,072,000 for recurrent and capital expenditure.
Of the £47,072,000, the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning (ENRP) Portfolio was allocated £1,682,000. This means that of the six Portfolios included in the 2023/24 Budget Book, ENRP receive 3.6% of the SHG recurrent budget.
The Portfolio has 84 recurrent and 16 project staff roles to deliver its range of work.
What are ENRPs strategic aims?
Whilst all Portfolios contribute to the five national goals, the ENRP Portfolio primarily supports the Altogether Greener and Altogether Wealthier goals. To deliver this, ENRP work programmes contribute to seven of SHG’s 33 strategic objectives.
To support these national goals and strategic objectives, ENRP is pursuing five main policy priority areas as part of its Strategy and Delivery Plan, which are being used to inform and direct their work programmes. These are:
- Protecting the natural environment by conserving biodiversity, preventing, minimising or mitigating against any negative activity and or impact, to conserve and enhance the Island’s natural capital.
- Increasing our capacity to safeguard natural habitats and save critically endangered species.
- Managing our natural resources sustainably to increase food production, provide forestry services and products.
- Safeguarding St Helena through implementing a robust biosecurity system and reducing the environmental impact of invasive species.
- Implementing an effective land planning and building control system in support of sustainable development and economic growth.
Where will ENRP’s allocation be spent?
ENRP’s allocation will support delivery of a number of leadership, advisory, regulatory, provider and enabling functions, as well as a number of public services.
The ENRP is responsible for a broad range of functions and services, such as managing the SHG forest and agricultural estates, agricultural services to producers, environmental protection, waste management, biosecurity, licencing of fishing and marine activities and their enforcement, energy and water policy, and a land planning and building control service.
The allocation will also compliment a number of externally funded projects, including marine and fisheries conservation, cloud forest management, National Conservation Area (NCA) management, waste materials recycling, single-use plastics and upgrades to the SHG agricultural estate.
Whilst much of the ENRP budget is focused on delivering these policy priority areas the policy deliverables they are focusing on include:
- Review of existing policy and strategy in the areas of agriculture, biosecurity and climate change.
- Developing a new renewable energy policy to underpin St Helena’s transition to generating 80% of its energy demand from renewables by 2027/28.
- Developing a new policy for environment and marine pollution, to ensure that we are adequately protecting our precious environment and special biodiversity, and meeting international environmental and maritime obligations.
- A terrestrial conservation programme aimed at maintaining and managing key endemic species and habitats, helping to manage the risk posed by the current pathogen situation, whilst also supporting activities of the Cloud Forest project.
- Developing a new five year Biosecurity Policy
Since the budget was approved ENRP has already delivered a number of outputs. This has included:
- Progressing 38 development applications for decisions
- Further SHG Agriculture Estate upgrading work under the Investment in Agriculture Project funded by EDIP
- Imported a further consignment of day-old chicks to replenish the Island’s stock of layers for egg production
- Adoption of a further a new five year Marine Management Plan for St Helena’s MPA
- Adoption of new Marine Tourism and Interactions with Marine Life Regulations and delivery of training and accreditation to implement a marine tourism and interactions with marine life licencing system
If you would like more information about any areas of the ENRPs work, please get in touch with Darren Duncan, Portfolio Director, by email through darren.duncan@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 24724.
#StHelena #ENRP #Budget23
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On Monday 23 October, the Ascension Island Government (AIG) announced that a new air connection was now available between St Helena and the Falkland Islands. The new connection will utilise the South Atlantic Airbridge between the Falklands and Ascension, and the inter-island Airlink service between Ascension and St Helena.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on Ascension have introduced these arrangements with immediate effect following consultation with UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), AIG, St Helena Government (SHG) and the Falkland Islands Government (FIG).
This follows completion of the refurbishment works to Ascension’s Wideawake Runway and the return of the South Atlantic Airbridge to the island. This new connection will provide residents of St Helena living on the Falklands with the opportunity to travel between the Falklands and St Helena via Ascension. Utilising the Airbridge to transit between the UK and St Helena via Ascension remains unavailable at this time.
Bookings and Enquiries
To request a booking, make enquiries or to request a copy of the relevant booking form, please email flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or contact the switchboard by telephone on (247) 67000, extension 1111. Flight confirmation will be issued via email with flight details and baggage allowances.
Please note that those applying for visas must ensure accommodation has been arranged on the island through sponsorship by family or friends, or through a private booking at one of the island’s guesthouses.
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The MT Sarah is now scheduled to arrive, earlier than previously announced, on Friday 27 October 2023 at 13:00. Once arrived it will dock alongside Ruperts Jetty. Bunkering operations will commence as soon as the vessel is cleared.
The whole of lower Ruperts, including the beach area, will be closed to the public from 13:00 on Friday 27 October 2023 until the bunkering of fuel is completed. This is currently anticipated to take around two days, conditions permitting. These areas will be strictly prohibited and is limited only to those persons who have made prior arrangements for authorisation from Port Control.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
SHG
24 October 2023
His Excellency, Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, departed St Helena on Saturday, 21 October 2023. The Governor is taking two weeks of leave before working in the UK for the following two weeks. Whilst in the UK he will meet with officials and attend this year’s Joint Ministerial Council (JMC).
Governor Phillips is due to return to St Helena on 18 November 2023.
Greg Gibson, Head of the Governor’s Office, has been sworn in as Acting Governor until Governor Phillips’ return.
#StHelena #GovernorDeparts #JMC
SHG
23 October 2023
The fuel tanker MT Sarah is scheduled to arrive at St Helena on Saturday 28 October 2023, at 3.30am and will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty at 6am. Bunkering operations will commence as soon as the vessel is cleared.
The whole of lower Rupert’s, including the beach area, will be closed to the public from Saturday 28 October 2023, until the bunkering of fuel is completed. These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited only to those persons who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and cooperation.
SHG
23 October 2023
In November 2022, SHG announced St Helena would receive funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s bespoke 2022/2023: Improving Essential Equipment in Overseas Territories’ programme.
St Helena was allocated up to £1,800,000 for the purchase of equipment of critical importance to the Island, in areas including healthcare, emergency services, port operations, road maintenance and the airport. Of the £1,800,000, in November SHG identified £1,735,482 to procure equipment vital to improving the resilience and well-being of our community.
Focus on St Helena Airport
£42,224 was allocated on equipment for the airport. This was used to purchase a Dry Chemical Powder Recirculation station, along with Nitrogen cylinders and filling regulators. These arrived in April 2023 and are already in use by the Airport Fire Fighting response vehicles.
This essential equipment is required to ensure that the airport remains in compliance with international airport regulations for the discharge rate of dry chemical powder.
Due to the humidity experienced at the airport, the dry chemical powder needs to be aerated to prevent ‘caking’ and to ensure effective discharge rates. This in turn ensures any response to fires that require a dry chemical agent are dealt with rapidly, preventing further spread, and minimising risk to life and damage to property.
Trainer, Deon Van Zyl, from South African based Brigit Systems, arrived on 15 April 2023 to provide training on the nitrogen system. On 5 May 2023, trainer Mark Richards from Perren Engineering Ltd, a UK based company, arrived to provide training on the dry powder system.
Although £42,224 was allocated to the airport, the total spent on the equipment and training was approximately £37,500. This is a result of fluctuations in things like currency, equipment and shipping costs, and preferred suppliers between the point of allocation and the point of delivery and commissioning. These fluctuations have some limited impact on the final costs of procuring the other equipment, albeit well within the £1,800,000 funding ceiling.
Photos
Other essential equipment
Further to the press release issued in June, a number of additional items have arrived for the Health and Social Care Portfolio. This includes equipment for cardiology and blood services, and are currently being installed and commissioned.
The reach stacker, slurry paver and immunoassay device are expected to arrive on the next voyage of the Maria da Paz.
A further update on this programme will be provided in due course.
#StHelena #FCDO #ImprovingEssentialInfrastructure
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SHG
23 October 2023
St Helena Government’s Mental Health Team Lead, Ian Rummery, and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Public Health Consultant, Sunita Sturup-Toft, recently visited Montserrat and provided mental health strategy and interventions support to the territory’s prison.
Montserrat is a small island located in the Caribbean and, like St Helena, is a UK Overseas Territory.
The UKHSA received a request from the Governor of Montserrat to explore what more could be done to address the increasing mental health challenges within the island’s prison. Montserrat has a similar sized prison to St Helena and faces similar challenges in managing its prison population. Ian has been involved in developing a health care service for HM Prison Jamestown, and so agreed to support the request in conjunction with UKHSA.
Ian and Sunita arrived in Montserrat on 27 September 2023 and departed on 11 October 2023. During their time on Montserrat Ian and Sunita met with the Montserrat mental health team, other health professionals, as well as the police and prison personnel.
Ian commented:
“This was an amazing opportunity to meet fellow professionals in a similar sized Overseas Territory and discuss ways in which we care for people who are in prison and experiencing mental health problems. My colleagues in Montserrat were so welcoming and we have had very productive discussions about the challenges they face.”
“On St Helena it is easy to lose perspective as we work in isolation. To have the opportunity to visit another Overseas Territory and hear both their successes and challenges has been professionally and personally very rewarding. I am very grateful to UKHSA for giving me this opportunity.”
Notes to editor:
Ian’s visit to Montserrat was funded by the UKHSA as part of the OT Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Governance Programme.
Photo
From left to right standing: Adegboyega Bamisile (Clinical Psychologist – Montserrat); Donamie Mathieu (Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- Montserrat), Sunita Sturup-Toft (UKHSA Consultant); Ian Rummery (Mental Health Team Lead – St Helena) and sitting Donique Layne (Community Psychiatric Nurse – Montserrat).
#StHelena #Montserrat #OverseasTerritory #MentalHealth
SHG
23 October 2023
The public are advised thata temporary one way system will be in place in the direction of Gordons Post to Hutts Gate along Tomb Road on Wednesday, 25 October 2023, from 9am to 12 noon.
Traffic wishing to travel in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as per the map below:
The one way system will be clearly signed and will be removed as soon as no longer required.
The one way system has been put in place in order to more safely manage traffic and ease congestion, given the anticipated increase in vehicle volumes due to the visit of the MV Vasco Da Gama cruise ship. This is the same process as has been put in place in previous years, and for the last cruise ship visit, and is likely to also be a feature during future cruise ship visits.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding in this matter.
SHG
20 October 2023
Further to the announcement on 17 October that a prohibition had been introduced on the import of certain poultry products from South Africa, the date for the prohibition on the import of these products by air has been amended so that it takes effect from 23 October.
This means that the conditions of the prohibitions are as follows:
| Product | Territory originating from, produced in, OR repackaged in | Prohibition | Date |
| Live poultry | South Africa | Prohibited | By air: 23 October 2023 By sea: After departure of Voyage 5 of Maria da Paz |
| Bird eggs whether entire or without shell | South Africa | Prohibited | By air: 23 October 2023 By sea: After departure of Voyage 5 of Maria da Paz |
| Raw meat of all bird species | South Africa | Prohibited | By air: 23 October 2023 By sea: After departure of Voyage 5 of Maria da Paz |
| Raw offal of all bird species | South Africa | Prohibited | By air: 23 October 2023 By sea: After departure of Voyage 5 of Maria da Paz |
The ban does not include commercially packaged pre-cooked chicken or cooked chicken products such as may be included as an ingredient in canned goods, pizzas, pies etc.
At this time there is no prohibition on imports of these products from territories other than South Africa.
If you require further information please contact:
- Biosecurity Officer, Julie Balchin, via email through Julie.balchin@sainthelena.gov.sh or
- Agricultural Development Officer, Andrea Timm, via email through andy.timm@sainthelena.gov.sh
Alternatively, both officers can be contacted on telephone 24724.
Note to Editors
A statement from the South African Government on 25 September 2023 indicated that up to the 21 September 2023, a total of 50 H7 and 10 HPAI H5 reports have been confirmed. New cases are being reported in all types of commercial chicken in the provinces of Kwazulu-Natal, Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West respectively. Gauteng Province has being the hardest hit, with HPAI H7 outbreaks and the Western Cape is the hardest hit with regards to the HPAI H5 strain. The natural reservoir of the viruses are the aquatic birds such as shore birds, waders and sea birds and these are largely unaffected.
There have been HPAI outbreaks of significance in South Africa in 2017 and 2021 of the N1 and H5N8 strains. This H5N8 strain has never been known to infect humans. The H5N1 has infected humans, but it is extremely rare to do so. In fact since 2003 there have only ever been 700 cases, and these were mostly in communities where people have closely cohabited with their infected poultry, and from the cultural consumption of raw chicken meat and even blood.
#StHelena #AvianFlu
Since our last update on 2 October and the intermittent closure of Side Path Road from 9 October 2023, the contractor has continued to make excellent progress.
Hillside excavation work has currently progressed ahead of schedule. Discussions are now ongoing with the contractor to see if they are able to increase their rate of removing the excavated material from the site. If so then there is a real possibility of being able to shorten the overall construction programme and enable Field Road to re-open ahead of schedule.
To try and help facilitate this, following a request from the contractor, permission has been granted for them to also work on Sundays.
To facilitate this, the Highways Authority has approved the closure of Side Path Road on Sunday, 29 October 2023. Road closure and diversion signs will be in place, with access to and from Jamestown still being available via Constitution Hill Road. With the low levels of traffic generally experienced on Sundays, the contractor will not be implementing any further traffic management measures.
Depending on the progress of works, further Sunday closures of Side Path Road may be considered where this can help works to be completed faster. However, any such closures will be the subject of separate approvals and announcements.
For any questions regarding the Field Road site works, please contact the EDIP Site Supervisor, Mr Chris Williams, by telephone on 67424.
#StHelena #Field Road #EDIP
SHG
20 October 2023
