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A delegation consisting of the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Christine Scipio, and the St Helena Government (SHG) UK Representative Kedell Worboys, will represent St Helena at COP28 as part of the UK delegation.
The Conference of Parties (COP) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meet each year to review climate measures adopted under the UNFCCC and assess and agree new measures. The UNFCCC is the most significant global mechanism for tackling climate change. There are 198 Parties to the UNFCCC, including the UK, which has extended the UNFCCC to St Helena.
COP28 will be the 28th meeting of Parties, and will take place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It will see leaders from around the world gather, including for the first time an elected representative from St Helena.
Minister Scipio will be giving the opening remarks at side events organised by Plymouth Marine Laboratory with the Commonwealth Blue Charter and by Island Innovation whilst at COP28. The Minister will also be taking part in Overseas Territories related side events in the UK pavilion. COP28 will provide the opportunity to network, and meetings are being arranged, which will include meetings with UK Ministers.
Many of the side events will be broadcast live on the COP28 YouTube channel, at www.youtube.com/c/UnfcccInt/playlists.
SHG’s UK Representative Kedell Worboys is the Chair of the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Environment Group. In this role she has been coordinating the participation of the Overseas Territories in the run up to COP28. This will include two Overseas Territories side events in the UK Pavilion on 8 December 2023.
The Overseas Territories, St Helena included, are small island nations at the forefront of the impacts of climate change. Being represented at COP28 will allow for the Overseas Territories to have their own voice, network and share the work they have been doing to adapt to, and mitigate against, the impacts of climate change.
Minister Scipio is due to depart St Helena on Tuesday 28 November, and return on Tuesday 12 December. During her absence Minister Henry will be covering the duties of the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio.
#StHelena #COP28 #UNFCCC
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SHG is pleased to announce that it has entered negotiations with MACS Maritime Carrier Shipping GmbH & Co. (MACS) to be the provider of ocean freight services to St Helena. The process for this began in July this year, and following the deadline for bids of 01 September 2023, submissions have been under consideration by the procurement board.
After assessment against the tender criteria, discussions are now underway with MACS for the provision of this service. Negotiations are intent on finalising an agreement in the coming weeks.
Further details on this process will be made available shortly.
In July 2023, Legislative Council approved the SHG budget for 2023/4. To provide a better understanding of how that money is spent, every two weeks we are focusing on a different Portfolio and their plans for the year. Two weeks ago we looked at the allocation for Health and Social Care, and this week we’ll be covering the Safety, Security and Home Affairs (SSHA) Portfolio.
£47,072,000 was allocated for recurrent and capital expenditure. Of this figure, SSHA was allocated £2,463,000. This means that of the six Portfolios included in the 2023/24 Budget Book, SSHA receives 5.5% of the SHG recurrent budget.
Safety Security & Home Affairs
The Safety Security & Home Affairs Portfolio is at the frontline of keeping citizens safe and the Island secure, and plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of St Helena. Close working across Portfolios, local businesses and the community is required to help to tackle safety issues for the Island. St Helena will prosper significantly from being open, engaged and connected to the rest of the world, and it creates tremendous opportunities for individuals and the Island’s collective prosperity.
What are SSHA’s Strategic Aims?
Whilst all Portfolios contribute to the five national goals, expenditure for SSHA’s 2023-24 budget primarily supports the ‘Altogether Safer’ goal. To deliver this, SSHA work programmes contribute to 10 of SHG’s 33 strategic objectives.
To support these national goals, and strategic objectives, the SSHA Portfolio has five main policy priority areas within the SHG Vision and Strategy Plan 2022-2025, which are informing and directing its work programmes. These are:
- Keeping St Helena safe by reducing crime and working to better the lives of children, young people and those most vulnerable within our community
- Working with partners to secure our borders, both internationally and in St Helena, in order to protect the community and support economic development
- Improving community trust and confidence in the services provided by the Portfolio
- Working with partners, volunteers and stakeholders to minimise and manage identified risks and to maintain public safety and our response to incidents
- Working with the community, partners and stakeholders to help solve the issues most affecting our community to make us ‘Altogether Safer’
Where will SSHA’s allocation be spent?
The Portfolio provides a wide range of services to the communities of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. These services include the Police, Immigration and Customs, Fire and Rescue, Sea Rescue, HM Prison and Offender Management Service, Emergency Planning, Port Control, Maritime Authority. The Portfolio also oversees Cyber Security, the national Resilience Forum, Health and Safety and a range of licensing and inspection functions.
In September 2023, as a result of a restructure, Roads and Building Maintenance, Rockfall Protection and Street Lighting also moved to the Portfolio. The recurrent budget for these areas will remain under the Treasury, Infrastructure and Economic Development Directorate for the rest of this financial year. The Portfolio has 168 staff to deliver its range of work.
It should be noted that while the Royal St Helena Police Service still remain under the umbrella of the Portfolio, they now directly report to the Governor with ring-fenced finances which are also directly overseen by the Governor.
While the Portfolio has a budget of £2.4 million, over the last two years it has reduced its finances by almost half a million pounds in light of the budget constraints across the Public Service, and will continue to identify further efficiencies where appropriate.
To offset the budgetary reductions, SSHA remains proactive in identifying external funding sources via the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to ensure SHG’s core finances are not overburdened.
In 2022, SSHA were fortunate to gain approximately £1 million in support from external stakeholders. This came in a variety of guises from a diverse set of training courses, support on building works, policy development, legislation and specialist equipment. The support was provided from UK Government via the FCDO and the UK Conflict, Safety and Security Fund (CSSF), and is highly appreciated and gratefully received.
The Portfolio will continue to look for further external support in 2023/2024 and beyond. However, the UK as elsewhere, is under significant financial constraints. Nonetheless, SSHA is committed to working in unison across SHG, the community and international partners to enhance safety and security resilience, and safeguard St Helena’s future needs.
If you would like more information about any areas of SSHA’s work, please get in touch with Mandy Constantine, Admin Assistant, by email through mandy.constantine@sainthelena.gov.sh.
#StHelena #SS&HA #Budget23
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As part of a wider overseas trip, during this week Minister for Health and Social Care Martin Henry has been in Gibraltar meeting with various elected and health officials.
Minister Henry has travelled to Gibraltar to build links between the two Overseas Territories, to gain an understanding of the how healthcare operates in Gibraltar, and to exchange knowledge on approaches and best practices.
The trip has been facilitated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and has included visits to the key healthcare facilities in the territory, and meetings with senior officials from the Gibraltar Health Agency, and Gibraltar Care Agency.
Minister Henry also met with his counterpart, the newly appointed Minister of Health Gemma Vasquez, and with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia.
On his visit to Gibraltar Minister Henry commented:
“It was a pleasure to meet with my counterparts in Gibraltar and I am grateful to them for taking the time to do so. Whilst very different territories the similarities between Gibraltar and St Helena are remarkable. We both have ageing demand led populations, with high incidents of smoking and non-commutable diseases, placing pressures on the health budgets.”
“A new care facility was completed in 2017, however this is already close to capacity and there is limited space to develop another. The cost of providing domiciliary and respite care, along with an increasing incident of dementia, is similarly significant, although access to a labour force is not an issue for Gibraltar due to their proximity to Spain.”
“Meeting with colleagues in Gibraltar has been invaluable, and I’m excited to continue to build the relationship between the two territories and our health systems following my return to the Island.”
Minister Henry is currently travelling back to St Helena and is expected to return on Saturday 25 November.
Photos
Minister Henry with the Head of the Gibraltar Care Agency, Mr Carlos Banderas (far left), and some of his team
Minister Henry and Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Dr Joseph Garcia
Professor Ian Cumming, Health Ambassador for the Overseas Territories, Minister Henry and Mr Kevin McGee, Director General of the Gibraltar Health Agency
#StHelena #Gibraltar #OverseasTerritories
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On Saturday 18 November the Chief Minister returned to the island following a week overseas.
The Chief Minister had travelled to the UK to attend the annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) and undertake a number of other official engagements.
Commenting on her trip, Chief Minister Julie Thomas said:
“This has been a very busy but extremely productive trip. This year’s JMC was conducted utilising a different format to usual, as the prime objective was to consider, with the view of finalising, a Joint Declaration between the governments of the UK and the Overseas Territories. This declaration, when approved by those Overseas Territories that still need to agree it through their internal processes, will be the foundation on which to build a modern partnership for a stronger British family. This therefore formed the centre of our discussions.”
“It was a pleasure to meet with Minister Rutley, the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, for the first time and to meet again with Stephen Doughty MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Overseas Territories. The timing of the trip couldn’t have been better, as it provided me with the opportunity to also meet the newly appointed Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, on his first full day in position.”
“Along with other OT leaders I was able to meet with the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee to discuss their ongoing inquiry into the status of the Overseas Territories in the 21st Century, as well as with the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC). The intentions of FAC was welcomed by all OTs as it is their intention to formulate a sub-committee to scrutinise more closely the relationship between the UK and its OTs. I also attended a reception hosted for the Overseas Territories by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where His Majesty again reiterated his interest and continued commitment to the OTs.”
“Now that JMC has concluded we, along with other OTs, will be diverting our focus toward the proposed new UK Overseas Territories Strategy from the UK Government, and we await further details about this in the near future.”
“I’m grateful to everyone who facilitated the meetings and events during the short time I was in the UK, and to Speaker Sir Lindsey Hoyle, who once again showed his commitment to the Overseas Territories by welcoming us to Speaker’s House. I’d also like to thank SHG’s UK Representative Kedell Worboys for her support both before and during my visit.”
Photos
#StHelena #JMC #ChiefMinister
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Last Saturday, His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE hosted the annual King’s Birthday Party (KBP). Approximately 270 guests were in attendance for the occasion, held in the gardens at the Governor’s residence, Plantation House. Guests included a broad cross-section of the community as well as state award recipients and elected officials. In addition to recognising the contribution of so many people to the well-being of the Island’s population, the KBP also celebrated the close relationship with the United Kingdom.
Governor Nigel Phillips commented:
“It was a delight to host the King’s Birthday Party. Islanders’ deep affection for His Majesty was abundantly evident on what was a joyful occasion. I am grateful to the members of the Legislature for their support in ensuring we were able to invite a broad cross-section of the community to the event. The KBP is fundamentally about recognising and celebrating contributions to the community. It is wonderful that on St Helena there are many who deserve recognition.”
Photos
#StHelena #KingsBirthdayParty
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A formal meeting of Legislative Council will take place on Thursday, 30 November 2023, at 10am at the Council Chamber.
This is the first sitting of the fourteenth meeting of Legislative Council and will be broadcast live via SAMS Radio 1.
The Order Paper currently includes fourteen questions for response and two motions for debate. The two motions are with regard to amending the Standing Orders and amending the Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council. There is also a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2023/24, which can be viewed on the SHG website at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/bills-for-an-ordinance/. The session will conclude with the customary Adjournment Debate, during which each Elected Member will have the opportunity to raise various issues.
The Order Paper will be published on the SHG website in due course at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/legislative-council/order-papers/.
#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil
SHG
22 November 2023
The eighth meeting of Minister’s Question Time will take place on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, at 10am in the Council Chamber. The meeting is open to members of the public and will be broadcast live via SAMS Radio 1.
The topic for this meeting is ‘Roads – Policy and Safety’.
A copy of the Order Paper will be published on the SHG Website on Tuesday morning via: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/order-papers/.
Legislative Council
21 November 2023
White Ribbon Day is held annually on 25 November. On this day communities around the world get together to raise awareness of domestic violence. Ahead of White Ribbon Day we encourage everyone in St Helena to use your voice to ‘Change the Story by Standing Up and Speaking Out’ about all kinds of violence or abuse.
Domestic violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual, physical and financial abuse as well as threats of abuse. It is a growing worldwide issue and St Helena is no exception. Many forms of domestic violence are actually crimes. This includes things such as assault, harassment, and criminal damage, and where you think this has taken place this should be reported to the police.
Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home, everyone around them, as well as in our community. It can have long-lasting negative effects on victims’ emotional well-being. Violence impacts every part of us, whether that be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.
White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of violence and abuse. By doing so, this can have a powerful effect in helping to change attitudes that support and continue abuse, building a safer place for all in the process. One way of showing support and raising awareness is by wearing a white ribbon on the day or dressing in white clothing.
When it comes to violence and abuse, it may seem like there is no way out. Walking away from violence and abuse is an incredibly brave act, even if it is a difficult thing to do. Remember there is always help and there is always a way out.
To report a case of domestic violence please call any of the following telephone numbers:
| The Royal St Helena Police Service | 22626 |
| Domestic Abuse Service Lead | 25343 |
| Equality and Human Rights Commission | 22133 |
These partner agencies can offer help and support. All reports will be dealt with confidentially, and with compassion and understanding.
Let’s all work together to change the story by standing up and speaking out.
#WhiteRibbonDay #ChangeTheStory #StopDomesticViolence
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Kelly Yon, currently studying in the UK, will be representing St Helena at the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Youth Summit on Thursday 16 November 2023. This year’s summit is supported by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who will be hosting the summit at Speaker’s House in London.
The UKOTA Youth Summit is an event that brings together young people, leaders and change-makers to empower young persons through the principles of cooperation. The purpose of the Youth Summit is to promote dialogue across the Overseas Territories and empower young people by encouraging debate and innovative thinking. The sessions will be chaired by the youth member from the sitting Chair of UKOTA, currently the Falkland Islands.
Kelly Yon, member of the UK Overseas Territories Youth Parliament, will represent St Helena at the Youth Summit. Minister Martin Henry and SHG UK Representative Kedell Worboys will also attend.
On Friday 17 November, Kelly will also attend the UK Youth Parliament and address the Youth Parliament on the floor of the House of Commons from the despatch box. The Overseas Territories are attending the Youth Parliament at the invitation of the Speaker, Sir Lindsey Hoyle. Kelly will speak on the challenges St Helenian youth are facing, with the key focus of her speech being equality.
The Youth Parliament session will be viewable live from 10:00 on www.parliamentlive.tv.
#StHelena #OTYouthSummit