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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
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
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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 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.
The public are advised of the following revised opening times for HM Customs and Immigration which will be effective from Monday, 2 June 2025:
Customs
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15:00
Immigration
In order to provide a more streamlined service to customers in advance, Immigration is trialling the following opening times:
Mondays and Fridays – Drop in from 09:00 to 15:00 (no appointment necessary)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – by appointment only (Call 25987, 25988 or 22236 to book an appointment in advance).
HM Customs and Immigration would like to thank the public for their cooperation and understanding during this period of change.
As previously announced, and as a result of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding, HM Customs and Immigration are undertaking specialised training over the next six weeks. Due to the varied scheduling requirements of this essential training, a weekly opening hours schedule will be in effect and will be published accordingly.
The opening hours for the week commencing 26 May 2025 are as follows:
- Monday and Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
- Wednesday and Thursday 09:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
- Friday Closed
Consequently, during this training period, the reception desk will be unattended, staff will have limited access to emails and cashier services will be slower which may result in delays. Please also be aware that the HM Customs and Immigration Offices will be closed daily for a staff lunch break between 13:00 and 13:30.
HM Customs and Immigration thanks the public for their cooperation during this important training period, which will ultimately enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of HM Customs and Immigration services in line with our obligations under the BIOT Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding.
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Saturday 24 May 2025 at 06:00. Weather permitting, the vessel will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty and cargo operations will commence as soon as practicable.
The public are therefore advised that the Port of Jamestown and whole of Lower Ruperts including the beach area, will be closed from 06:00 on Saturday 24 May 2025, until all cargo operations are completed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited to those who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
Boat owners and operators are advised that mooring on the ‘span’ mooring rope near the landing steps at the Jamestown Wharf is prohibited for the duration of cargo operations.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
SHG
22May 2025
The Programme Management Office will be holding a series of public information meetings during May 2025. These meetings are being held to provide the public with the opportunity to hear directly about the different areas of work being undertaken as part of the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), and to ask any questions they may have of the delivery team.
These meetings will include updates on works being undertaken under the Rupert’s Wharf Cargo Handling Facility Development and New Prison.
All meetings will commence at 19:00 and will take place as follows:
| Date | Venue |
| Monday, 26 May | Museum of St Helena, Jamestown |
| Tuesday, 27 May | St Michael’s Church, Rupert’s |
| Wednesday, 28 May | Harford Community Centre |
| Thursday, 29 May | Kingshurst Community Centre |
All members of the public are encouraged to attend.
SHG
20 May 2025
The public are advised that strong winds and isolated showers are forecast across the Island between 18:00 on Tuesday 20 May and 09:00 on Wednesday 21 May with a risk of these bringing some disruption.
The forecasted south easterly winds may peak to occasional gusts of 25-30 KT for most of the island and isolated gusts reaching 35-40 KT may occur in exposed areas such as Levelwood, Sandy Bay, Blue Hill and Longwood.
Consideration should be taken when preparing for St Helena Day as furniture, stalls and other loose items may be blown over by the strong winds overnight.
Boat owners should ensure their vessels are securely tied to their moorings and motorists are also advised to look out for loose debris on roads.
SHG
19 May 2025