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Every year the UK celebrates National Careers Week (NCW), with this year it being celebrated from Monday 6March through to Saturday 11 March. In recognition of this, for the second year running Career Access St Helena is locally recognising and supporting the event. 

NCW is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. Itaims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar so as to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways. More information on NCW can be found online via www.nationalcareersweek.com. 

Here on St Helena, Career Access recognises not only the importance of careers guidance to young people but for all persons seeking employment or a change in career, and works to facilitate this for all those who require it.

Window Display

To mark this occasion the general public can view a selection of displays from some organisations that participated in this year’s Careers Fair held on Wednesday 15 February. These can be viewed from the front main window display at the Career Access centre, New Porteous House, Jamestown.

Virtual Careers Fairwww.nationalcareersweek.com will be hosting an online virtual fair in which anyone can engage. You can find out more online through www.ncw2023.co.uk

SHG
7 March 2023

The St Helena Sea Rescue Service will be conducting a pyrotechnic training exercise on Wednesday 08 March 2023, during which they will be activating a number of handheld and rocket distress flares.

Deployment of Maritime distress Flares will start at 19:30 from a vessel approximately one nautical mile north west of James Bay. Prior to deployment of the first flare, a VHF safety message will be sent out on Channel 16 to notify vessels in the area.

The public are asked not to report any distress flares from this location during this time.

The flares will be deployed in the following order:

Although the training is taking place to upskill members of the Sea Rescue Service, this will also be an opportunity for the public to view what a maritime distress flare looks like. If you are able to view the exercise, please take particular note of the characteristics of the red flares as these are the ones used by vessels in distress.

Anyone with any questions regarding this training should contact the Sea Rescue Manager, Simon Wade, by telephone on 25052 or via email through simonwade@helanta.co.sh.

SHG
06 March 2023

The Marine Enforcement Section would like to remind all Fishers that the closed season for droppers is still in place until 17 March 2023. This fishing method prohibition is issued in accordance with section 19(1)(d) of the Fisheries Ordinance, 2021.

The Fisheries Ordinance, 2021 defines droppers as the use of a main line with more than one hook attached. Therefore if you are participating in fishing activities during this closed season you should not be using a line with more than one hook attached.

This notice does not apply to a person fishing in accordance with the conditions of a St Helena fishing licence issued under the Fisheries Ordinance, 2021, whereby targeting bait species with droppers remains permitted during this time. However, where this does apply, any species caught using this method must then be used as bait.

A person who contravenes a fishing control notice commits an offence under section 72(2) of the Fisheries Ordinance, 2021 and is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £25,000.

SHG
6 March 2023

The Royal Saint Helena Police are investigating a burglary of a residential property in Plantation Square (near Cape Villa) which took place on Tuesday, 21 February 2023, between 10am and 3pm. A quantity of cash was taken.

Police would like to speak to anybody who witnessed anything suspicious around that time, or particularly anybody who may have CCTV or dashcam footage that could help with the investigation.

If you think you have information which might help, please contact Police by calling 22626, quoting reference HECT00002499 or email: anthony.coyne@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Any other residents who have experienced similar incidents are also urged to report these to the Police.

Although it will sometimes be unavoidable, you can take some precautionary steps to help prevent burglary:

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #AppealForInformation

SHG
6 March 2023

The Royal St Helena Police are currently investigating a suspected burglary at a property in the Hutt’s Gate area. The property was initially broken into sometime on the evening of Friday, 30 December 2022, through to the early hours of Saturday, 31 December 2022.

A further attempt to break into the same property took place on the evening of Sunday, 19 February 2023, causing damage to the property.

If anyone has any information which may assist with this investigation, regardless of how minor it may seem, please contact a Police Officer of your choice on telephone 22626 or by email: cid@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #AppealForInformation

SHG
6 March 2023

On Saturday 04 March 2023, Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs Jeffrey Ellick, will depart the Island and travel to South Africa for personal reasons.

In accordance with Section 37 of the Constitution, in Minster Ellick’s absence, Minister for Health and Social Care Martin Henry has been assigned ministerial responsibility for the Safety, Security and Home Affairs Portfolio.

Chief Minister Julie Thomas said:

“This is an extremely busy time for Ministers and I am grateful to Minister Henry for once again stepping forward to cover the important work of the Safety, Security and Home Affairs Portfolio. Other Elected Members were approached to determine if any were interested in being appointed as acting Minister in Minister Ellick’s absence, however for a number of different reasons, on this occasion no interest was expressed. Although we will remain in contact whilst he is away, I wish Minister Ellick all the best during his time in Pretoria and look forward to welcoming him back shortly.”

SHG

03 March 2023

The Royal St Helena Police are currently investigating damage that has been caused to the Ambledale construction site at Jacob’s Ladder.

Damage has been caused over weekends on at least three separate occasions since the start of 2023, with the most recent incidents resulting in the covered areas at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder being ripped and torn and construction site signs broken. The nature and consistency of the incidents means the police are treating this as intentional, and therefore criminal, in nature.

Further damage has also been caused at the top of the Ladder where person(s) have entered a restricted area. Jacob’s Ladder is presently a construction site and in the interest of safety and security is off limits to the public.

The public are reminded that it is a criminal offence to cause damage to public or private property not belonging to themselves.

If anyone has any information which may assist with this investigation, regardless of how minor it may seem, please contact a Police Officer of your choice by telephone 22626 or via email: cid@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #AppealForInformation

SHG
2 March 2023

On 16 December 2022, the Ministerial Code of Conduct, Standing Orders of the Legislative Council and the Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council were approved by the Legislative Council.

Each of these are crucial in ensuring effective, clear and accountable good governance for St Helena. They establish clear procedures and processes for how the mechanisms of government should work, ensuring that Elected Members and Ministers are well positioned to carry out their constitutional functions effectively, deliver on commitments made and be held to account.

Although the new Ministerial system was introduced in October 2021, significant work was still required in order to develop codes of conduct and standing orders appropriate for the new system. This work was led by Elected Members and Ministers, with support from the Legislative Drafter in the Attorney’s Chambers, and further review and recommendations provided by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on certain elements.

The result is a series of robust rules, procedures and processes that must be followed by Elected Members and Ministers in the course of their constitutional duties and functions.

On the approval of the codes of conduct and standing orders, Speaker of the Legislative Council Cyril Gunnell said:

“I am delighted that these have finally got over the line and are now firmly in place. This took time, more time than was envisaged, and much hard work from a great many people. However, the enormity of change needs to be taken into consideration. For the first time in its history St Helena has emerged from a Committee system of governance, to a Ministerial form of government, where it is possible to hold Ministers accountable for decisions taken far more easily.”

“The new Standing Orders establish robust processes for holding our Ministers to account and have paved the way for Select Committees to be established and for Minister Question Time to be held on the last Tuesday of each month. Both of these will help to ensure the public can see exactly what is going on within government. I believe there are exciting times ahead and that true accountability, which was not apparent under the previous Committee system, will be possible with these changes under the new Ministerial form of governance.”     

The Ministerial Code of Conduct, Standing Orders of the Legislative Council and the Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council can be found on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/.

Standing Orders

Standing Orders are the written rules which govern and regulate and the proceedings of the Legislative Council. This is extremely important as it concerns everything from establishing the mechanism for Ministers Question Time and the rules of debates to how legislation is considered.

Standing Orders also provide for Select Committees to be established so as to consider and report on a Bill or any other matter before the Council. Two Select Committees have been already been established, comprising three Elected Members and a Secretary. Each Select Committees has elected one of the committee members to be Chairperson. Select Committees sittings will be held in public and broadcast live, with a report then provided to the Council.

Ministerial Code of Conduct

The Ministerial Code of Conduct applies to all Ministers and sets out the standards of conduct expected of them in their office.

Under the Committee system there were no Ministers and therefore no Ministerial Code of Conduct. This code is a new set of rules, based on a slimmed down version of the UK Ministerial Code, amended and tailored extensively to be relevant to the legislation and procedures in place in St Helena.

It details how they should act and how they should discharge their duties. It establishes the personal standards, responsibilities and conduct which Ministers are expected to maintain in their duties to Executive Council, Legislative Council, the Public Service administration and their personal business. 

Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council

The Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council provides guidance to Members as to standards of conduct expected of them in the discharge of their duties as members of the Legislative Council.

All Members of the Legislative Council are required to comply with the provisions of the code, and are subject to its disciplinary provisions. This code has been updated from the code that was previously in effect under the Committee system.

The obligations set out in the code are complementary to those which apply to all Elected Members by virtue of the procedural and other rules of the Council and the rulings of the Speaker. These also apply to Ministers in addition to the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

SHG
02 March 2023

Works are progressing well on construction of the Port Control, Customs and Biosecurity (PCB) Main Container Yard, alongside the erection of the two new steel framed buildings in Lower Rupert’s. 

These works are essential elements in realising the move of the Island’s operational port facilities to Rupert’s which, once complete, will significantly reduce costs associated with port and cargo operations. This is a key objective identified in SHG Strategy and Vision 2022-2025, with the works being funded and managed through the Economic Development Infrastructure Programme (EDIP).

Isaacs Contractors have now completed approximately 15% of the PCB Main Container Yard concrete slabs (see photos). 

The erection of the steel frame for the new PCB building is currently approximately 75% complete (see photos). The contractor has also completed construction of the new Container Freight Station (CFS) building foundations, with erection of the steel frame about to commence.  

The PCB Yard will be used for the lay down and processing of freight containers for the Island’s merchants. The CFS Yard will be used for the lay down and processing of freight forwarding agents’ containers. Following the opening of Rupert’s Port, members of the public will collect their goods from the public counter at the CFS building, rather than from the Jamestown wharf as at present.

To find out more information about the projects underway at Rupert’s, or any other EDIP project planned or currently underway in St Helena, members of the public are encouraged to attend the quarterly EDIP information meetings. Dates and times for the upcoming information meetings will be published shortly.

SHG
16 February 2023

On Tuesday 21 February 2023, two development applications were approved at a meeting of the Governor in Council.

Construction and Expansion to Existing Reservoir at High Ridge, Levelwood

An application to construct a reservoir and expand the existing reservoir was approved, with conditions.

The development of the raw water resources (construction of an additional new raw water reservoir and enlargement of the existing raw water reservoir) at the Levelwood Water Treatment Works, together with the bulk water supply pipeline recently installed between the Levelwood Water Treatment Works and Sandy Bay, will form the backbone of the bulk water supply to the Sandy Bay area.

Within SHG’s Vision and Strategy 2022-2025, one of the key objectives is to develop and maintain physical infrastructure, including utilities. Furthermore one of goals within the Sustainable Economic Development Plan is to improve water infrastructure with the vision to achieve development which is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable by increasing standards of living and quality of life.

This proposal looks to address the increasing demand and improve water security in the Levelwood Water Supply Zone. The new reservoir will have a capacity to hold 7250m3 of water with overflow into the existing and the expansion of the existing reservoir will increase its capacity from 4300m3 to 10,300m3.

The two reservoirs are needed to ensure the water security situation experienced in the Levelwood Water Supply Zone will not suffer once treated water is also supplied to the Sandy Bay area.

The proposal was therefore supported by the Island-wide presumption in favour of facilities for water storage, treatment and distribution.

Balcony and Veranda at the Yacht Club, Jamestown

An application to restore a balcony on the front of the building and erect a freestanding veranda in front of the building was approved, with conditions.

The construction of a balcony will restore a feature that was previously part of the building and will be done to the specifications as detailed in historical images.

The veranda will provide first floor outdoor catering space and protection to the ground floor area below it. It will be constructed of timber, with traditional details including criss-cross balustrades reflecting St Helena tradition, and will stand clear of the wharf road carriageway, behind the line of existing concrete bollards.

SHG
21 February 2023