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Following his resignation and with immediate effect, Airport Contract Manager Edward Jerrard is no longer working for SHG.  Janet Lawrence is covering the responsibilities of this post while SHG considers options for replacement.

 

SHG

3 November 2016

RESIDENTS LIVING BELOW BARNES ROAD TO NEW BRIDGE POND

 Residents living from below Barnes Road to New Bridge Pond are with immediate effect asked to please deliver their domestic waste for disposal to the eight black wheelie bins, located at New Bridge Pond. This is a temporary arrangement until Constitution Hill road is reopened to the public.

 Because waste collection vehicles travelling uphill cannot safely turn around at Chubbs Spring, household waste can no longer be collected from these homes. Residents living above Barnes Road are unaffected and will continue to have their domestic waste collected from the roadside.

Waste Management Services thanks residents for their cooperation.

For further information, please contact Environmental Risk Manager, Mike Durnford, on tel: 24724 or via email: mike-durnford@enrd.gov.sh

SHG

3 November 2016

MALE JUVENILE CHARGED

Following a complaint of criminal damage and potential pollution of the reservoir at Levelwood, Police have now completed their investigation and can provide an update.

One male juvenile has been charged with criminal damage and an offence under the Water Ordinance and bailed to appear in Court on Thursday 10 November 2016. A second juvenile male has received a Police Caution for criminal damage and will be conducting restorative justice by completing a litter pick. 

 DCI Wendy Tinkler commented:

 “I’d like to thank the community for their positive response to our appeal for information. This has supported the identification of two offenders and allowed the Police to progress our investigation to a satisfactory conclusion.

 “This incident caused real concern to Connect and partner agencies who are already dealing with the difficult water shortage situation on the Island. I would like to thank them for their support and assistance during this investigation and for ensuring that the impact on residents was kept as minimal as possible.”

 Chief Executive Officer for Connect Saint Helena, Barry Hubbard, added:

“The reservoir was brought back into service last Monday so Levelwood is back to normal operation. 

 “However, the Island as a whole is still suffering from a severe lack of rainfall. Figures from the Met Office for Bottom Woods show a meagre 9.6mm of rain fell in October. This is serious because it is 61.7% below the 40 year average and the second lowest on record for October. 

 “Connect are working hard in bowsering water, but there is a significant shortfall between what is being consumed and the rate of replenishment – and the summer is just beginning. Consumers are urged to consider very carefully how they use every drop of water. 

 “Leaflets are available in local shops with water saving tips. Without rain, the water resources on the Island are finite and it is everyone’s responsibility to conserve the limited amount of water we currently have.”

SHG                                                                                                                                   

3 November 2016

 

 

 

TENDER PROCESS TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH

The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday took oral evidence on St Helena Airport from the Department for International Development’s Permanent Secretary, Mark Lowcock – who was positive about progress made on the Airport.

Mr Lowcock announced that the tender process for a scheduled air service would begin next month, and said that the RMS service would be further extended if necessary. He also stressed that the emphasis now was on fixing the problem with the data we have.

In answers to questions, Mark Lowcock said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHG

3 November 2016

 

 

Over the last three years, the Marine Section of ENRD has been monitoring the Red-Billed Tropicbird Colony on the slopes of Ladder Hill and the old Firing Range, as part of a seabird tracking project. The low breeding level of these birds was caused by the action of cats, a natural predator of the tropicbirds. This has led to trapping of feral cats at key areas.

This year we have observed that domestic dogs have also damaged the breeding population, resulting in breeding efforts at Ladder Hill and the old Firing Range failing.

Owners of dogs are reminded that their pets must be kept on a leash and not allowed to wonder unsupervised. Under the Dog & Cat Ordinance 2011, the owner or keeper of a dog can be fined up to £500 for allowing their dog to wander unsupervised or uncontrolled in any public place.

As cat trapping continues in the affected area, cats that are not microchipped will be destroyed. Owners of cats and dogs are reminded that their pets must be microchipped and licensed by the age of seven months.  

The veterinary surgeon at ANRD offers cats and dogs neutering, with the microchip inserted at the same time. If a cat is neutered, the licence is free and issued once for life.

Neutering costs £5 for a male cat and £7 for a female. Male dogs cost £8 and females £5.

Anyone requiring further information can contact the Veterinary Surgeon, Catherine Man, on tel: 24724.

SHG                                                                                                                                     

2 November 2016

 

 

The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will tomorrow afternoon take oral evidence on the St Helena Airport project from the Department for International Development, led by its Permanent Secretary, Mark Lowcock.  See: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/public-accounts-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/st-helena-airport-16-17/

The PAC is basing its inquiry on the National Audit Office report into realising the benefits of St Helena Airport, published on 9 June 2016.

The scope of the PAC inquiry thus covers the key assumptions in the Department for International Development’s cost-benefit analysis to support its investment in the airport. It also considers the Department’s ability, in partnership with St Helena Government, to realise the benefits from improved access to the Island that they expect the airport will provide.

SHG

1 November 2016

Councillors Pamela Ward Pearce and Cruyff Buckley will depart the Island on Thursday, 3 November 2016, to attend the annual CPA 65th Westminster Seminar, on Parliamentary Practice & Procedure, which will run from Monday 21 November to Friday 25 November 2016, at the Houses of Parliament in London.

The aim of the 65th Westminster Seminar is to strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence of first term members of Parliament and newly-appointed Clerks from the Commonwealth in the core aspects of their work of parliamentary practice and procedure, within a Westminster framework.

Both Councillors will attend various sessions, including:

Councillor Ward Pearce will return to St Helena on Tuesday, 6 December 2016.

Councillor Buckley will remain in the UK to attend the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 35th Small Branches Conference from 12-17 December 2016. The overall theme of this conference is ‘A collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity & Common Challenges’.

Further details will follow nearer the time.

 

SHG                                                                                                                                            

1 November 2016

 

The Open Agenda for today’s ExCo was mainly focussed on the planning application for the Millennium Holiday Park at Bradley’s Camp.  There was also consideration of the upcoming Formal Legislative Council meeting.

Council approved Full Development Permission for the plans submitted by the Applicant.  Riana Dewet and David Taylor from the Planning Office attended the meeting, as did the applicant, and Council was given a presentation of the proposed conditions to be attached to the Planning Permission.  Council approved the conditions suggested by the Planning Office, commended the applicant for his business proposal, and thanked the Planning Office for its work in bringing this to Council today.

The Attorney General and Council Committee Chairpersons gave an update on progress in bringing various legislation to Formal Legislative Council on Friday 9 December 2016:

In the Closed Agenda, Council was advised that Councillors Derek Thomas and Lawson Henry were meeting with senior Government officials in the UK to discuss the future provision of air services to St Helena, together with the RMS service.

ExCo

1 November 2016

OVERSEAS LIST – REMINDER

The public is reminded that the deadline for receiving nominations for the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours List is Monday, 7 November 2016.

Persons wishing to submit nominations for the 2017 Birthday Honours are reminded that the overriding principle is that honours are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement or any service recently carried out over and above what normally is expected.  Where possible, nominations should place emphasis on voluntary services.

It should also be noted that age is not a factor in awarding honours and younger members of the community who have made an outstanding contribution or have given exceptional service, should not be overlooked.  It is important that nominations are kept confidential and that nominees are not made aware that they are being proposed for award of an Honour.

Nomination forms are available from Corporate Services at the Castle and can also be requested by e-mail from Mrs Carol George, via: carol.george@sainthelena.gov.sh

Completed forms should be returned to the Executive Secretary, Honours Committee, in a sealed envelope, marked ‘Confidential’, by Monday, 7 November 2016.

Corporate Services

The Castle

1 November 2016

 

 

ALUMNA PROFILE

Chevening Scholarship applications for 2017/18 are open until next Tuesday 8 November 2016. These Scholarships offer financial support to study for a Master’s Degree at any UK university, and are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds.

St Helenian Tracey Williams studied an HND in Business under the Chevening Scholarship Programme from 2002 to 2004. The SHG Press Office caught up with Tracey to find out more about the benefits that studying under the Chevening Scholarship programme has brought to her career:

 Why did you take advantage of the Chevening Scholarship programme?

The Chevening Scholarship provided the perfect opportunity to further my education.  I had been working for about four years and did not think it would be possible for me to study at university, so when the opportunity arose I took a chance and applied.

What benefits has studying under this programme brought to your career?

In addition to gaining an internationally recognised qualification, studying with Chevening provides an additional support network.  Studying abroad also gave me the opportunity to travel, gain experience in different workplaces and also gain a wider cultural experience.

How would you encourage someone to apply for a Chevening Scholarship?

The Chevening Scholarship provides a life changing opportunity. If you have thought about changing career, furthering your education, or developing your knowledge and skills, then do take advantage of this scholarship and submit your application.  Returning to study is daunting but the end results and experiences are worth it!

Tracey started work at the age of 16 as a receptionist with Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc, progressing to the role of Personal Assistant to the Operations Director, before being awarded the Chevening Scholarship in 2002. Whilst on the Scholarship, Tracey was also able to gain experience working for Somerset County Council, administering community projects.

On completion of her studies, Tracey returned to work for Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc in 2005 in a business development post, progressing in Project Management to join the Corporate Management Team, before leaving to work in the UK.

Tracey now holds the post of Project Manager within the Airport Directorate and is responsible for facilitating Airport Project works in Rupert’s.

SHG

1 November 2016