Latest Posts
Following an eventful week of discussions and engagement at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference all delegates departed St Helena on Saturday 25 May 2024 concluding a six-day visit to the island.
This historic visit marked the first time the CPA St Helena Branch hosted a CPA conference.
Whilst here, delegates engaged in a number of discussions and activities focusing on the theme of the conference ‘Addressing Challenges to Sustainable Development in Times of Global Uncertainty’. Guest speakers from St Helena were invited to deliver presentations and sit on panels with members of the delegation. These discussions provided the delegation an opportunity to participate in exchanging knowledge on approaches and best practices.
The conference concluded with a presentation of gifts to the delegation by Chief Minister Julie Thomas and closing remarks by Hon Catherine Cranfield, Deputy President of the CPA St Helena Branch.
On Tuesday 21 May (St Helena’s Day), the delegates went on various tours of the island. This involved visits to a range of significant St Helenian landmarks and points of interest, including historical sites like High Knoll Fort, and infrastructure crucial to the island’s future, such as Rupert’s Bay Cargo Facility.
The conference also gave the delegates a platform to strengthen further the bonds between our UK Parliament and the British Islands and Mediterranean Region legislatures.
On the conference, President of the CPA St Helena Branch, Cyril Gunnell commented:
“It has been an absolute honour to host the CPA BIMR conference in St Helena this year. I consider the conference a huge success as the aim for parliamentarians and staff to join together to network, to learn and to share similar issues was achieved. I trust our colleagues within the BIM Region have felt the warm and welcoming spirit of St Helena and experienced the ‘Breath of Fresh Air’ that our island proudly offers.”
“As the conference has come to an end, my hope is that valuable links have been built, bonds within our region have been strengthened, and we all look forward to building on those relationships in the years to come.”
On 12 October 2023, following an ENRP veterinary risk assessment in respect of the ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’ (HPAI) or ‘bird flu’ outbreaks in South Africa (SA), St Helena Government (SHG) put in place a prohibition to prevent the landing or importation of all poultry and poultry product imports originating from SA. This prohibition was established to prevent the introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) disease into St Helena.
Since September 2023, SA has put in place biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the existing outbreaks and new outbreaks of the virus, and is monitoring this on a monthly basis by sampling poultry flocks for HPAI. This allows the country to establish what it calls NAI (Notifiable Avian Influenza) Free Compartments from which it will export live birds, poultry meat, and eggs.
Based on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) reporting no new or ongoing HPAI cases in St Helena’s poultry since early January 2024, and considering the expected low HPAI activity for the next four to five months, ENRP’s risk assessment concludes that the risk of introducing HPAI through poultry and poultry product imports is currently extremely low.
Executive Council recently discussed a recent veterinary risk assessment provided for St Helena and agreed that the current prohibition on the import of poultry and poultry products originating from SA should be lifted. This removal of the prohibition took effect from Thursday 23 May 2024.
The situation will be monitored by ENRP as HPAI cases may begin to rise again in the future and St Helena may again need to prohibit such imports. Avian Influenza continues to be a challenge and is spread across the world, with new outbreaks having been reported in Antarctica recently for the first time.
The public and the island’s merchants are thanked for their cooperation in helping to protect our island during the period of the prohibition.
If you require further information please contact:
Portfolio Director, Darren Duncan, via email: darren.duncan@sainthelena.gov.sh or
Agricultural Development Officer, Andrea Timm, via email: andy.timm@sainthelena.gov.sh
Alternatively, both officers can be contacted on telephone 24724.
#StHelena #PoultryProhibition #AvianFlu
Delegates from 10 countries across the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) arrived at St Helena this afternoon for their annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) BIMR conference. This is the first time CPA St Helena hosts a CPA conference.
Upon arrival at the airport, delegates were welcomed by President of the CPA St Helena Branch Hon. Cyril Gunnell, Secretary Anita Legg and elected members. They were then taken to their respective accommodation.
Delegates will participate in a full programme of engagements and activities focusing on the theme of the conference ‘Addressing Challenges to Sustainable Development in Times of Global Uncertainty’. A range of topics to be discussed will include digital reforms and artificial intelligence, decentralized finance and climate emergency.
While the unfortunate weather delayed their arrival, we trust the delegates will still be able to enjoy St Helena Day celebrations and island tours at their leisure.
The opening ceremony will take place on Monday 20 May, and the programme will commence with the CPA Annual General Meeting.
#StHelena #CPA #BIMR
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Immigration Policy 2024 was approved by Executive Council on Tuesday 7 May 2024. The policy, which supports increasing the working aged population, is critical to growing the economy and sustainable prosperity for the island.
To fuel economic growth, this policy aims to attract a skilled workforce with streamlined, user-friendly processes for visitors, professionals, and investors. Importantly, there are no changes to St Helenian Status or existing partner exemptions.
To ensure smooth execution, the policy comes with a detailed implementation plan. This plan outlines the necessary steps, including revisions to immigration laws and timeframes for enacting complementary policies. These complementary policies address various aspects like health fees, minimum wage adjustments, public transportation access, land ownership rights for immigrants, property transactions (disposal and purchase), and stamp duty regulations.
To strengthen border security, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed with the UK Home Office, granting access to their watch lists. Additionally, training for immigration staff will be facilitated.
A dedicated Head of Customs and Immigration will be appointed in July of this year to further support staff training and ensure the policy’s smooth implementation. Securing funding for modern immigration equipment remains a crucial step.
It is envisaged that the legislation will be enacted in September 2024.
#StHelena #ImmigrationPolicy
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The Provisional Register of Electors was published on Friday 10 May 2024.
Eligible persons have up until 16:00 on Friday 24 May 2024, to submit applications to amend the Provisional Register.
Persons who are eligible to have their names entered in the register may apply to amend the Provisional Register. Amendments can be made to include or remove their name, or to remove the name of someone who has died or left the island or who might be no longer eligible for inclusion in the register.
The Registration Officer aims to publish a register which is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. In order to do so, eligible persons can apply to amend any of their personal details which may be out of date. For example, they may have changed their name since they last applied to be included on the register or may now live in a different electoral district and would like to change their address.
It is also possible to amend the register to enable voting in a different district from that in which you reside. For example, an eligible person may live in Longwood and work in Jamestown, so when there is an election, it may be more convenient for them to vote in Jamestown during the working day. It is possible for the register to accommodate this, provided the eligible person makes an application to do so.
Persons eligible to be registered must:
- Have St Helenian Status as defined in the Immigration Ordinance, 2011
- Be 17 years of age or older with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
The register has been published on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/news/government-gazettes/.
Hard copies have also been placed at the following locations:
- The office of the Registration Officer, the Castle
- Customer Service Centre, Jamestown
- Public Library, Jamestown
- ENRP Offices, Scotland
Assistant Registration will also have access to a copy of the Provisional Register and can be contacted by persons who require any assistance. The Assistant Registration Officers are:
Anita Legg
Connie Johnson
Michelle Yon
Pamela Joshua
Brenda Thomas
Georgina Young
Vincent March
Douglas Bennett
Alfreda Yon
Karen Yon
Christina Henry
Jane Augustus
Phyllis Coleman
Alicia Thomas
Jackie Moyce
Applications to amend the Register using the prescribed ‘Form A’ will need to be submitted to the Registration Officer, at the Castle, by no later than 16:00 on Friday 24 May 2024. Form A can be accessed at the Castle Reception, Public Library and Customer Services Centre.
Individuals who may be eligible to apply to have their names included in the register and who are currently overseas need to use the prescribed ‘Form B’. Both Form A and Form B can be accessed on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-information/elections/.
Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from the Registration Officer, Carol Henry, at the Castle, by telephone on 22470 or via email through carol.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh.
The final Register of Electors for the 12 month period commencing 1 July 2024 will be published towards the end of June.
If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any bye-election or general election. It is therefore your responsibility to check the Provisional Register and to make application to have your name included if it is not already listed.
#StHelena #ProvisionalRegisterOfElectors #RegisterToVote
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt
The Community Nursing and Health Promotion teams are hosting a stall at the Canister in Jamestown on Friday 17 May 2024 from 10:00 to 13:00. This event is to raise awareness for World Hypertension Day, with the theme ‘Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer’.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. The World Health Organization defines it as having a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. Left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems.
Hypertension usually has no symptoms until it causes damage. It significantly increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and more.
Here’s what you can do to manage your blood pressure:
- Get regular check-ups and have your blood pressure measured
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced diet low in salt
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Don’t smoke
- Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
Visit our stall or contact us to learn more about hypertension, its prevention, and how to control it.
For more information, please contact:
- Community Nursing team: 22500 Ext: 2083 or 23563
- Health Promotion team: 22500 Ext: 2098 or 2094
#StHelena #HealthPromotion #AltogetherHealthier #WorldHypertensionDay #Hypertension #BloodPressure
SHG
10 May 2024
The project to widen and resurface Field Road is progressing well. All hillside and road surfacing excavation works are now complete. The service strip, which contains an empty duct which will allow services to be installed in the future, is currently underway. The slipper drain is also now under construction. This collects and directs road and hillside surface water run-off into the cross drains, which then dissipate the energy of the flow before discharging the water downhill. These works are expected to be completed this month.
The geological conditions encountered during the construction works proved to be more challenging than anticipated. This resulted in the contractor having to undertake significantly more hillside excavation than originally estimated. This means that additional time and resources will be required to complete the project.
Side Path Road will close for an additional six weeks to complete the concrete work at the transition and junction. We will provide specific closure dates as soon as they are confirmed.
The re-opening of Field Road, including the Side Path Road section, is now estimated to take place in late October 2024. However, this is subject to constant review as there are variables, such as weather conditions, which could impact progress further.
Notes to Editor
The Field Road project is part of the £30 million Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), funded by the UK Government.
The additional excavation quantities were only confirmed by the project team after ministers gave their updates on the Field Road project during their constituency meetings in March 2024. Therefore the information regarding the impact to the project were not available to ministers at that time.
#StHelena #FieldRoad #EDIP
SHG
08 May 2024
The Provisional Register of Electors for 2024 will be published on Friday 10 May 2024.
After its publication on Friday 10 May, eligible persons will have until 16:00 on Friday 24 May 2024 to submit applications to amend the Provisional Register.
Amendments that can be made include the following:
- Adding your name
- Removing your name
- Removing the name of someone who has died, left the island or who might no longer be eligible for inclusion in the Register.
The Registration Officer aims to publish a final Register of Electors which is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. Eligible persons will be able to apply to amend any of their personal details which may be out of date. For example, they may have changed their name or address and wish to update their registration details.
The importance of including accurate information in the register cannot be overstated, so when it is published, please check it to make sure your details are accurate. The Registration Officer can check the details for you if you will not be able to access a copy of the register when it is published.
It will be possible to amend the register to enable voting in a different district from that in which you reside. For example, an eligible person may live in Longwood and work in Jamestown, so when there is an election, it may be more convenient for them to vote in Jamestown during the working day. It is possible for the register to accommodate this, provided the eligible person makes an application to do so.
Persons eligible to be registered must:
- Have St Helenian Status as defined in the Immigration Ordinance, 2011
- Be 17 years of age or older with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
For persons who are present on St Helena, applications to amend the register using the prescribed ‘Form A’ can be submitted to the Registration Officer, at the Castle, between 10 and 24 May 2024 or via email through carol.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh
Persons who have St Helenian status and who are ordinarily resident on the island but who are currently absent in connection with employment, education or training or for the purposes of medical treatment and have not been absent for a continuous period of 30 months or for periods exceeding in aggregate 625 days in the preceding 30 months, can apply to amend the register by using the prescribed ‘Form B’.
Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from the Registration Officer, Carol Henry, at the Castle, by telephone on 22470 or via email through carol.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh. Both Form A and Form B can be accessed on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-information/elections/.
The final Register of Electors for the 12 month period commencing 1 July 2024 will be published towards the end of June.
If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any bye-election or general election. It is therefore your responsibility to check the Provisional Register when it is issued and to make an application to have your name included if it is not already listed.
#StHelena #ProvisionalRegisterOfElectors #RegisterToVote
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt
St Helena Government (SHG) recently announced that public information meetings to raise awareness of ongoing work towards the introduction of data protection policy/ legislation would take place during May 2024. These meetings will be held in various districts across the island. The first meeting will take place at the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre on Thursday 9 May at 19:30.
Subsequent district information meetings will take place at 19:30 as follows:
| Venue | Date |
| Jamestown Community Centre | Monday, 13 May 2024 |
| Guinea Grass Community Centre | Tuesday, 14 May 2024 |
| Harford Community Centre | Thursday, 16 May 2024 |
| Sandy Bay Community Centre | Monday, 27 May 2024 |
| Blue Hill Community Centre | Tuesday, 28 May 2024 |
| Levelwood Community Centre | Thursday, 30 May 2024 |
| St Michael’s Church, Rupert’s | Monday, 3 June 2024 |
Residents of the Alarm Forest electoral district are encouraged to attend meetings at Harford Community Centre or Jamestown Community Centre.
The following information will be discussed:
- What is data protection?
- What does it mean to the individual?
- How might legislation affect businesses and organisations?
The public are encouraged to attend.
The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio offers non-compulsory nursery education for all children between the ages of three to four years.
We will be in contact with parents/guardians of those children born on island and who are eligible to enter nursery education in the school year September 2024 – August 2025. This is to offer a place in nursery education and to give details of school placement and date of admission.
It would be appreciated if parents of children who were not born on St Helena could submit the following information in writing to the Assistant Director of Schools Kerry Lawrence so that an offer of placement can be made:
- The child’s full name and date of birth
- Name and address of parent or guardian
- Telephone number and email address (if applicable)
Once all required information has been received, parents will be advised of their child’s nursery placement.
It should be noted that a child should attend school in the catchment area where he/she is resident. However, for non-compulsory schooling, exceptions will only be made for regular attendance outside the identified catchment area if numbers in the requested school are low enough to accommodate the extra intake and if there is a valid reason for this, such as child care.
Parents who would like their child to attend nursery schooling outside of their catchment area must apply in writing to the Assistant Director of Schools stating which school they would like their child to attend and the reason for the placement outside of their catchment area. In such cases parents must be willing to take responsibility for transporting their child to and from school.
Correspondence can be sent to the Assistant Director of Schools Kerry Lawrence at the Education and Learning Centre, Jamestown or by email to kerry.lawrence@sainthelena.gov.sh.