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The Programme Management Office (PMO) will be holding public information meetings in June 2025 to provide an update on the Wastewater Management Project. This project focuses on improving the sewage in, Half Tree Hollow and Jamestown and is being delivered under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP). These sessions will be held as a joint engagement with the PMO, Connect St Helena, and Environmental Health.
These meetings are intended to share the latest developments on the project and to gather feedback from the community. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and engage directly with the team responsible for delivering this important infrastructure work.
All meetings will commence at 19:00 and will take place as follows:
| Date | Venue |
| Tuesday, 17 June | Community Centre, Half Tree Hollow |
| Thursday, 19 June | Museum, Jamestown |
Tea, coffee, and cake will be provided.
Public participation and input are welcomed, as community views will help shape the future of this essential service.
SHG
5 June 2025
Councillor Andrew Turner, is due to depart St Helena on Saturday 7 June 2025, for medical treatment in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Whilst Councillor Turner is away, Councillor Ronald Coleman has kindly agreed to cover the Sandy Bay and Blue Hill District Areas and constituents requiring assistance should contact him via Ronald.coleman@helanta.co.sh. Councillor Turner will also remain contactable via email at councillor.aturner@gmail.com.
The public are advised that from Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June 2025, activities to monitor and cull feral pigeons and myna birds will be taking place at the Horse Point Landfill Site (HPLS). These operations will occur daily between 06:00 and 09:00.
Bi-annually feral pigeon numbers are monitored at HPLS and reported on by the Environmental Management Division. This takes place in support of the St Helena Airport Limited (SHAL) Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, which includes mitigating against bird-strike risk to aircraft.
Feral pigeons and myna birds congregate to feed on the organic content of waste within the netted domestic waste cell. If culling is necessary to reduce their numbers, this is undertaken around the netted cell by an experienced person(s), appropriately licensed by the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio, using an air rifle and a 12ga Shotgun.
Signage will be in place as per the below image:
The public are reminded that the domestic waste cells area is restricted to authorised persons only, as permanently signposted within the site.
SHG
03 June 2025
The Rock Guards will carry out a controlled rock removal on the hillside of Ladder Hill, above the Museum on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, from 10:00 to 13:00.
During this time, the road from the back of the Prison to the entrance of the Grand Parade will be closed to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Vehicular traffic will be diverted through Church Lane and Shy Road.
Parking will be prohibited at the Museum car parks during this time. Vehicle owners are asked to remove their vehicles prior to this closure. Pedestrians using Jacob’s ladder will be diverted at the half way footpath where appropriate signage and marshals will be in place.
The Rock Guards extends sincere thanks to the public for their continued support and cooperation during these necessary works.
SHG
03 June 2025
HM Customs would like to advise the public that their offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday, 04 June 2025.
Normal operations will resume on Thursday, 05 June 2025 from 09:00.
HM Customs would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. The public are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.
SHG
02 June 2025
http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
As advised in an SHG Press Release issued on 10 February 2025, it is the intention for Legislative Council to be dissolved on Monday, 30 June 2025, with a General Election taking place on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.
Following the dissolution of Council on 30 June, all seats on Council will become vacant until after the General Election has taken place. In the event that only 12 valid nominations are received on Nomination Day, which will be Wednesday, 20 August, then a Poll will not be necessary on 3 September.
During the period between the dissolution of Council on 30 June up until a new Council is in place, the work of the Legislative Council will be on hold, with no meetings taking place during this period. However, the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009, as amended in 2021, allows, in section 77 for the Governor, in the event of an emergency arising, to recall the Legislative Council if the Governor considers it necessary to do so, in consultation with the Chief Minister.
The Executive Council may also be convened if it is necessary to do so after the dissolution of Council; however, no new policy decisions nor legislation nor any significant spending commitments will be made by Executive Council after the Legislative Council is dissolved.
Members of the public who are considering standing for election to the Legislative Council should note the following guidance. This guidance does not replace the provisions of the Elections Ordinance and Regulations, so if you are considering standing as a candidate in the 2025 General Election, you should familiarise yourself with the Elections legislation to understand your rights and your responsibilities.
When can you start campaigning?
You can start campaigning at any time. You do not have to wait until you are validly nominated to declare that you will run for election, ask people to support you or publish campaign material. However, it is important to note that there are certain actions such as bribery, treating and undue influence that amount to corrupt practice/ criminal offences, for which there are penalties.
Criminal Offences Contrary to Part V of the Elections Ordinance
Part V of the Elections Ordinance sets out a number of criminal offences connected with elections, for example
- Breaching the secrecy of voting by revealing who an elector has voted for;
- Inducing an elector to display the ballot paper after it is marked;
- Applying for a ballot paper in the name of someone else (whether dead, alive or fictitious)[1];
- Applying for a ballot paper when the candidate has already voted;
- Giving (or promising to give) an elector food, drink or entertainment to influence the elector to vote for a candidate(s) or not vote at all;
- Threatening to use force, violence or restraint against an elector to make the elector vote for a particular candidate(s) or not vote at all;
- Lending, giving or promising to obtain goods, money, services, etc for an elector if the elector votes for him or her or not vote at all.
Case studies:
- Candidate X invites Mr B to the pub for a beer if Mr B votes for X.
Is this wrong?
Yes, this amounts to treating.
- Candidate X tells Mr B that if X is elected, one of the top policies that he will pursue will be employment for all.
Is this wrong?
No, this is a policy – it is perfectly acceptable for candidates to state what their policy intentions are.
- Candidate X says to Mr B “if you vote for me, I will give your son a job.”
Is this wrong?
Yes, this is a bribe.
- Candidate X tells Mr B “If you don’t vote for me, I will beat your brother up.”
Is this wrong?
Yes, this amounts to undue influence.
- Candidate X tells Mr B “If you vote for me, I will make sure that you win the government tender (for goods / services) and/or get you a good job in the Public Service.”
Is this wrong?
Yes, X is bribing Mr B.
- Candidate X tells Mr B, who is a resident in Cape Villa “If you vote for me, I will drive you to town.”
Is this wrong?
Yes, X is treating Mr B.
- Candidate X’s son tells Mr B “If your vote for my dad, he will have your road done.”
Is this wrong?
Yes, X’s son is bribing Mr B to obtain a vote for X. This is wrong even if he is not a candidate
When does a person officially become a candidate?
The earliest that a person can officially become a candidate is on the day after the Legislative Council is dissolved. It is intended that the Legislative Council will be dissolved on 30 June 2025.
You will officially become a candidate on being so nominated in accordance with section 5 of the Elections Ordinance, 2009. Nominations will have to be delivered to the Returning Officer not later than noon on the last day appointed for the nomination of candidates, the date of which will be specified in the Writ of election.
It is intended that the Writ of Election will be issued by the Governor on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, so nomination forms can be delivered any time after that date.
During the campaign you should:
- Be aware of the deadlines for submitting nomination forms
- Be aware of the deadlines for notifying the Returning Officer of the number and names of your Polling Agents
- Be aware of the deadlines for notifying the Returning Officer about the names of your Counting Agents
During the campaign you may:
- Assist voters with information about proxy voting. The deadline for the Returning Officer to receive Proxy Applications will be 48 hours before the time of the opening of the Poll.
Serving Members of the Legislative Council
Any Elected Members who wish to stand for re-election to the Legislative Council may commence campaigning at any time; they do not have to wait until they are validly nominated before letting people know they intend to run for election. However, as with any other members of the public, they will not officially become a candidate for election until the date after the Legislative Council is dissolved
Individuals serving as Members of the Legislative Council immediately before its dissolution on 30 June 2025 will have been provided with facilities at public expense to enable them to carry out their duties. These facilities should not be used for political activities nor the dissemination of material that is political in nature.
Official social media accounts must not be used for political purposes.
Candidates and the media during the elections campaign
A media service may not allow any person who has declared themselves as a candidate to act as a journalist or presenter during an election. (The Media Standards Code of Practice effective from 1 October 2023, Code 8 “Guidance – Elections and Referendums” refers).[2] Candidates may be interviewed by the media and it is the media’s responsibility to offer the same opportunity to all candidates. It is for the individual candidate to decide whether or not he/she wishes to be interviewed by the media.
Candidates may use their personal social media accounts to promote their candidature but as with all campaigning activities, should do so in an appropriate manner that does not contravene the law.
Campaign posters should be removed within 14 days after the poll. Posters should not be displayed within the Polling Station or Polling Station limits on the day of the poll.
Any individuals with concerns about criminal offences being committed in respect of the election should contact the Returning Officer or the Royal St Helena Police Service.
#StHelena #GeneralElections #LegislativeCouncil
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
SHG
02 June 2025
[1] Except if that is permitted by the provisions for proxy voting
[2] Code 8 of The St Helena Media Code of Practice effective from 1 October 2023 refers
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
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Building Maintenance department of the SHG Works Section, will be carrying out essential renovation work on the wall extending from the Arch to the back of the Museum in Jamestown. Commencing from Monday 2 June, the Terrace walkway from the Arch to the Museum will be closed to all pedestrians for approximately four weeks.
The Works Section apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.
The St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UK Department for Transport (DfT). This significant agreement marks the first of its kind within the UK Overseas Territories, specifically designed to enhance and support the implementation of internationally recognised maritime security standards across St Helena.
This MOU is set to strengthen the already robust relationship between the DfT, SHG, and Maritime Authorities. Crucially, it will provide St Helena with international recognition that its port facilities, port operations, and the wider maritime sector adhere to internationally required maritime security obligations. These obligations are primarily set out in Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This adherence is especially important for engaging with the larger international maritime sector, including the cruise ship industry and future port operations, demonstrating St Helena’s readiness and capability in ensuring safety and security for all visiting vessels.
Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs (SSHA), Jeffrey Ellick, said:
“I am pleased to confirm that today I signed an MOU with the Department for Transport on port security. We are the first Overseas Territory (OT) to sign such an agreement, and this government, under this Portfolio, now has three MOUs (two recently – the MOU with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and lately the Home Office Watch List agreement, and now DfT MOU) with the British government, which clearly demonstrates our developing partnership, and St Helena as a leading OT, improving our safety and security”.
The signing of this MOU underscores St Helena’s dedication to maintaining a secure maritime environment, fostering confidence among international shipping lines, and ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of its maritime activities.
#StHelena #MaritimeAuthority #DepartmentforTransport
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Highways Authority has granted approval for the closure of Napoleon Street from the Brow to Nosegay Lane from 09:00 to 15:00 on the following days:
- Wednesday, 4 June 2025
- Wednesday, 11 June 2025
- Wednesday 18 June 2025
This closure is essential to facilitate slurry works, which will improve the surface quality of the road.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the duration of the closure. Roadside pavements will remain accessible, and on-site personnel will be readily available to guide pedestrians safely through the work area.
Side Path Road will remain open for vehicular traffic, specifically cars. Vehicles will be diverted near the Guide Hall at the brow, adhering to the 2-ton weight restriction in place. Trucks and buses will be required to divert at Constitution Road to access Jamestown. We encourage drivers of larger vehicles to plan their routes accordingly to minimise disruption.
The Road Section extends its sincere thanks to all residents and road users for their continued support and cooperation during these necessary works.