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FIRST DOCKING AT NEW WHARF
The MV Greta, chartered by Basil Read, arrived at St Helena late on Friday 1 July 2016, to transport materials and equipment to and from the Island for the St Helena Airport Project. Also on board the vessel were several containers of foodstuffs for St Helena which were offloaded directly onto barges and transported to Jamestown Wharf.
The MV Greta was due to berth at Rupert’s Wharf, St Helena’s new facility, on Saturday morning – but as this was the very first time a vessel would dock alongside the new wharf and wet and windy conditions were encountered on Saturday a more cautious approach was adopted – and the berthing was postponed until Sunday when better weather conditions were forecast.
The MV Greta made her approach to Rupert’s Wharf early on Sunday morning, and berthed successfully at around 8am (pictured).
This was the very first time a vessel has docked at the Permanent Wharf in Rupert’s and marks an important milestone for the Airport Project and for St Helena.
Thanks are extended to the Basil Read team, the team from Solomon & Company, and to the team on board the MV Greta.
SHG
4 July 2016
Due to popular demand, St Helena Airport is pleased to announce regular Open Days, which it intends to hold every other Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm.
The Open Days actually began on Wednesday 22 June 2016 and will continue unless operational requirements take precedence. The next Open Day will be held this Wednesday, 6 July 2016, with future dates to be announced.
Members of the public taking advantage of these Open Days will have a guided tour of the entire Airport as well as a bus trip along the runway to view either end and take photographs.
St Helena Airport’s Head of Operations Gwyneth Howell said:
“Many Airports around the world cannot accommodate Open Days like these due to traffic and operational requirements. At St Helena Airport we believe that we currently have an opportunity to showcase the Airport to the public and promote aviation on the Island, especially amongst the younger generation.
“So far, Open Days have been very well received by the public and, during the last one, we had almost 100 visitors.”
Watch out for local media to find out more on future Open Days at St Helena Airport.
SHG
4 July 2016
St Helena Airport yesterday cancelled the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) which it had issued on 23 June 2016, advising that the wind measuring system at the Airport had been remedied, stabilised and tested.
The system will be monitored daily, but St Helena Airport is once again able to accept one-off flights.
SHG
1 July 2016
NOW OFFICIAL
A major milestone for St Helena Government was marked today, Wednesday 29 June 2016, with the signing of the Constitution of the new Employee Representative Committee (ERC) by Chief Secretary Roy Burke, and Cynthia Bennett, on behalf of the Committee (two photos are attached).
Developed as a result of the feedback received in the 2015 Employee Opinion Survey, the ERC’s role is to:
- Provide a direct channel of two-way communication between SHG management and employees – allowing collective opportunities for employees to be involved in decision-making
- Provide a consultation mechanism between management and employees of the public service
- Negotiate with senior management on terms and conditions for all employees
The ERC will also:
- Consult with employees on plans, programmes, policies and procedures which impact staff, and work with management on policy changes and implementation
- Serve as a forum for employees to discuss issues of general concern
So far, 25 Employee Representatives have been appointed – but representatives are still needed for the following areas:
Environment & Natural Resources Directorate (ENRD)
Agriculture & Natural Resources Division
Environmental Management Division
Government Garage
ENRD Support Services (including GIS, and Planning & Building Control)
Health Directorate
Administration (including Medical Services and Dispensary)
General Hospital
Dental/ Environmental Health/ Laboratory
Corporate Services
Finance (including Customs)
Police
Police Operations & Investigations
Head of Organisational Development, John Paterson, said:
“I am very encouraged by the commitment and drive of our Employee Representatives, and hope that we will fill the remaining places soon. Any employee who is interested in becoming an Employee Representative, or wants to find out more about being one, should call me on 22485 or email me on john.paterson@sainthelena.gov.sh.”
SHG
29 June 2016
The Director of Environment & Natural Resources (ENRD), Trevor Graham, will be leaving St Helena with his family on Friday 1 July 2016.
Trevor’s wife, Charlotte, is to start a new job and Trevor himself will be moving on to new employment in Sweden. Trevor has served on the Island for two and a half years and is nearing the end of his contract.
Deputy Director Derek Henry will be taking the helm with the intention that this will become a permanent arrangement.
ENRD was formed shortly before Trevor’s arrival by amalgamating a number of directorates and functions and, under Trevor’s leadership, the directorate has developed into a more joined-up cornerstone of service delivery on the Island.
Trevor said:
“I have been proud to serve this unique community in this unique environment over the past two and a half years – and it has been an honour to work with the fantastic staff in ENRD and all of the other creative people in farming, construction, fishing, tourism and other businesses.
“I am sure that with the support of his colleagues, Derek Henry will do a great job of taking the directorate forward in the next stage of its development.”
Trevor and his family take with them many lasting memories and friendships from the Island. Amongst the highlights of his working time on St Helena, Trevor counts the improvements made in waste management and the construction of the first phase of the solar farm as major achievements. Trevor had been talking to DFID about renewables before coming to St Helena and then worked with Connect Saint Helena Ltd to develop the business case. One year later, the first phase of the solar farm had been financed, built and was operational.
“It just shows what can be achieved with a joined-up approach” says Trevor.
SHG
29 June 2016
Customs & Excise apologises to passengers who disembarked the RMS yesterday for the lengthy delays in obtaining cabin baggage.
This delay was due to a breakdown in communications about a container – in which hold and cabin baggage were placed together.
The process has now been reviewed and relevant changes made to ensure that such delays do not occur in the future.
We apologise to passengers for these unacceptable delays.
SHG
29 June 2016
The Director of Environment & Natural Resources (ENRD), Trevor Graham, will be leaving St Helena with his family on Friday 1 July 2016.
Trevor’s wife, Charlotte, is to start a new job and Trevor himself will be moving on to new employment in Sweden. Trevor has served on the Island for two and a half years and is nearing the end of his contract.
Deputy Director Derek Henry will be taking the helm with the intention that this will become a permanent arrangement.
ENRD was formed shortly before Trevor’s arrival by amalgamating a number of directorates and functions and, under Trevor’s leadership, the directorate has developed into a more joined-up cornerstone of service delivery on the Island.
Trevor said:
“I have been proud to serve this unique community in this unique environment over the past two and a half years – and it has been an honour to work with the fantastic staff in ENRD and all of the other creative people in farming, construction, fishing, tourism and other businesses.
“I am sure that with the support of his colleagues, Derek Henry will do a great job of taking the directorate forward in the next stage of its development.”
Trevor and his family take with them many lasting memories and friendships from the Island. Amongst the highlights of his working time on St Helena, Trevor counts the improvements made in waste management and the construction of the first phase of the solar farm as major achievements. Trevor had been talking to DFID about renewables before coming to St Helena and then worked with Connect Saint Helena Ltd to develop the business case. One year later, the first phase of the solar farm had been financed, built and was operational.
“It just shows what can be achieved with a joined-up approach” says Trevor.
SHG
29 June 2016
NEW BRIDGE
The road at New Bridge will be closed from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday 6 July 2016 to enable Connect Saint Helena Ltd to upgrade the sewage line at the General Hospital.
Diversion and road closure signs will be in place and as normal, only Emergency Services will be granted access.
For health & safety reasons, residents of New Bridge and Constitution Hill will need to use Side Path Road to access Jamestown and the Hospital during this period.
The Properties Division would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, and thank the public in advance for their understanding and cooperation.
SHG
29 June 2016
The agenda for today’s ExCo was quite lengthy, with five items on the Open Agenda. As usual, there were also a number of important issues raised during Any Other Business.
The Attorney General introduced the first four items on the Open Agenda, all of which sought to update the Island’s legislation. Firstly, the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents & Incidents) Regulations 2016 ensure that St Helena’s aviation activities are aligned with international standards following an audit of the UK and its Overseas Territories in 2009. Council was happy to approve the Regulations.
Council then considered the Ports Bill 2016. This had been brought forward following a review of Port Operations by the Saint Helena Internal Audit Service. The new Ports Bill retains much of the old Harbours Ordinance and makes provision for the appointment of a Harbour Master – with associated powers in respect of the control of vessels within the harbour, port and harbour safety and the power to enforce orders. Council recognised that there had been a series of public consultations on this and approved the Bill for presentation at the next formal meeting of Legislative Council.
Council then considered two proposals in respect of the Financial Services Ordinance and associated regulations. Council felt that there should be more consideration within the appropriate Council Committee of the provisions, and therefore deferred consideration of the matter until this has taken place.
The final matter on the Open Agenda was a Development Application in respect of the security fence at St Helena Airport. Council was reassured that there had been a thorough investigation into the impact of the fence in a sensitive area, the Central Basin, and that key stakeholders had been properly consulted. Council also recognised the importance of security at the Airport and that this change was designed to assist the navigational aids. Council, acting as Planning Authority in this case, approved the Application.
In the Closed Agenda, Council considered the proposed Capital Programme for 2016/17. The items under discussion were those which were not covered by the Performance Improvement Plan, as agreed with DFID. Council supported the proposed projects which would complete the final year of the three year business case agreed with DFID in 2014. The Governor commented that the range of projects being considered amounted to an anticipated expenditure of over £4m. It was agreed that the Capital Programme would be publicised in the next few weeks to illustrate to the public the plans for infrastructure development on St Helena.
In Any Other Business, Council was keen to ensure that the construction of the new hotel on Main Street did not adversely affect traffic management in Jamestown. This situation will be closely monitored.
ExCo
28 June 2016
MARKET STREET, CHINA LANE, LADDER HILL ROAD
The Roads Section would like to advise the public that Market Street, China Lane and Ladder Hill Road will be closed on Tuesday 5 July 2016 from 9am to 3pm to enable the Rock Guards to remove loose rocks and secure the area above China Lane.
The road will be closed near Brick House, the Roman Catholic Church and near the road to St John’s flats. Ladder Hill Road will be closed below the junction with Shy Road (see attached map). Diversion and road closure signs will be in place and as normal only Emergency Services will be granted access.
There is a diversion route for outgoing traffic that will be managed by a one-way system out of Jamestown – via Shy Road and Ladder Hill Road. Those coming into Jamestown will need to travel via St Paul’s, Gordon’s Post and Side Path Road.
Access to the Hospital will be via Side Path and Constitution Hill Roads.
The Roads Section would like to thank the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.
As soon as the area has been made safe the roads will be reopened.
Residents in Upper Jamestown
During the works, residents in Upper Jamestown in properties on both sides of Market Street and the other side of the Run in the area from Brick House up to the Roman Catholic Church – are requested to evacuate their properties from 9am to 3pm. This is a precautionary measure as the Rock Guards will be working in the area.
The Salvation Army Hall in Jamestown will be open from 8.30am as a reception centre for any residents who wish to go there during the period of the evacuation. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Residents requiring assistance to move on the day can either contact the Emergency Planning Department on 25052 (or email ian.johnson@sainthelena.gov.sh or simon.wade@sainthelena.gov.sh) or can contact the Police on 22626.
If the work is completed before 3pm, residents will be informed and will be able to return to their properties.
SHG
28 June 2016