Latest Posts
Acting Chief of Police Pam Trevillion will leave St Helena at the end of her contract on Monday 18 January 2016. Pam is due to take up a new Police role with her home Force in Dorset, UK.
Until Chief of Police Trevor Botting arrives back on the Island on Wednesday 17 February 2016, Merlin George will be Acting Chief of Police for St Helena.
SHG
15 January 2016
Councillors Duncan and Henry
Councillors Lawson Henry and Tony Duncan (pictured) returned from London shortly before Christmas, with Lawson having attended the annual Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC), and Tony Duncan the 64th Westminster Seminar.
Lawson, who has now attended the JMC three times, thought this conference by far the best as it was more focused, shorter and sharper and the topics covered were more relevant to Overseas Territories. Once again, the SHG delegation – Councillor Henry and Governor Capes – had the opportunity of meeting Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for International Development (DFID) Ministers for discussions covering a wide range of issues, including Airport readiness and Safeguarding.
Lawson led the JMC intervention on Sustainable Healthcare Systems in Small Jurisdictions, with SHG’s Director of Health, Darren Clarke, having provided prior briefing, particularly in relation to the training of Nurses.
Lawson said:
“I am grateful to Darren Clarke for providing me with the information that allowed me to make positive interventions on health, and will be following up on the support St Helena was offered in relation to the training of nurses, and on other issues such as pensions and sport.
“The conference allowed me to speak on issues relating to St Helena at a higher level, including with UK Ministers, and to network as usual with colleagues from other Territories.”
The 64th Westminster Seminar, attended by Councillor Duncan, aims to strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence of first term members of Parliament and newly-appointed clerks and councillors in the core aspects of parliamentary practice and procedure within a Westminster framework.
Sessions that Tony attended included an Introduction to the Westminster System, an Overview of the Legislative Process, the Role of the Speaker and Parliamentary Administration, Finance and Governance. Other subjects covered included Committee Work, Parliamentary Questions, Engagement with the Public, Media and other Stakeholders.
Tony Concluded:
“I found the seminar very interesting and it gave me an insight into how Parliament really works, and made me more confident. I would urge all first term members of Legislative Council, if given the opportunity, to attend.”
SHG
15 January 2016
On Friday 8 January 2016, two teenagers were rescued after becoming trapped on a cliff face in Rupert’s Bay.
Emergency Services were contacted at 18.45hrs reporting that two males had been walking and now found themselves unable to return to the beach area. One of the teenagers had fallen around 30 meters down the rock face before rescuers arrived.
The Fire service, assisted by the Police and the Sea Rescue service, attended the area. The Fire Service, using specialised rope rescue equipment were able to reach the boys and bring them to safety.
The teenagers were taken to the Hospital for a check-up, and fortunately, they only suffered minor cuts and bruising.
Whilst this incident had a safe outcome, it’s important that members of the public are extra careful when walking around cliff areas and rock faces, as a simple slip could have dramatic consequences.
Alan Thomas, Fire Brigade Manager said:
“It was a difficult rescue due to the location, with limited working space and failing light. But it was excellent team work from all involved in the emergency services – and I would also like to thank Anthony Green and Clayton Yon for their assistance in the rescue. Our joint work led to both youngsters being brought to safety”.
PoliceService
SHG
13 January 2016
On 10 December last year St Helena Government welcomed publication of the Wass Inquiry Report and accepted the report’s recommendations. The Inquiry received SHG’s full support and cooperation and this commitment equally applies to implementation of the report’s recommendations, many of which are already well in hand.
The arrival to the Governor’s Office in early February of Ginny Ferson, Deputy Governor of Bermuda, further demonstrates SHG’s and FCO’s shared determination to deliver the Wass recommendations as comprehensively and rapidly as possible. Ginny will update Ministers and lead on the UK Government’s report to Parliament later in the year.
It is the case that significant progress has been made in safeguarding on St Helena over recent years and months, including the creation of a new dedicated Safeguarding Directorate, improved care facilities, extra specialist staff, and better training for those working with children. All of this is bringing clear results in case management, protection, investigations and successful prosecutions.
But whilst this important work was underway here before the Inquiry was established and has been carried out since the Inquiry team left the Island – that does not in any way diminish SHG’s acceptance of the Inquiry’s recommendations and agreement that there is clearly more to be done. SHG has now studied the report’s findings in detail and has developed a plan of action and timetable, working closely with all stakeholders. This action plan will be placed on the SHG website next week.
There is a wide range of recommendations in the Wass Inquiry Report, covering Safeguarding, Social Services, Governance, the Police, Healthcare, Recruitment, HR practices, Training and Education. Some of these recommendations are major, some more detailed, and some have already been delivered. But for all of those that are yet to be implemented, an individual action plan is already in place, against an individual timetable, and work is now underway.
SHG will now provide regular implementation updates – against specific recommendations – both to the public and to FCO.
In conclusion, SHG and the UK Government will continue to take any accusations of abuse extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring that children and the vulnerable are heard and protected on St Helena. SHG will strive for further safeguarding improvements on St Helena, including, and beyond, the scope of the recommendations of the Wass Inquiry.
The Wass Inquiry Report and Ministerial Statement can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/484129/51735_Wass_Inquiry_Web_Accessible_PDF And hard copies can be viewed at the Public Library, the Human Rights Office and the Public Solicitor’s Office.
SHG
12 January 2016
Executive Council met today, Tuesday 12 January, to discuss two items on the open agenda.
Acting Governor Sean Burns welcomed Dax Richards, Acting Financial Secretary, to the meeting.
The first item for discussion was for Executive Council to consider the Questionnaires produced for use in the 2016 St Helena Population & Housing Census. Executive Council recognized the importance of this Census, which will provide invaluable data to support economic development on St Helena. The Questionnaires were approved, subject to minor amendments.
In the second item Executive Council endorsed the draft St Helena Innovation Strategy and supported the recommendation to explore the feasibility and potential introduction of Bio-digestion processes to contribute to renewable energy on St Helena.
The meeting concluded at 11.35am.
SHG
12 January 2016
Forthcoming flights at St Helena Airport represent an enormous moment in St Helena’s history and is attracting equally significant and accelerating global media interest. During the recent calibration flights, for example, the SHG website, SHG Facebook page and our video sharing platforms, all tripled in user hits – and a growing number of international media outlets are newly covering St Helena’s story.
All these media outlets require material on St Helena Airport – including up to date news text, photographs, video footage and other assets – placing daily pressure on the SHG Press Office.
To make it easier and more convenient for the media, SHG today launches a new international digital ‘news-desk’ for St Helena Airport. Here the media can find and freely download everything they need to know about St Helena Airport, supported by a wealth of photographic and video material.
The media can access the site at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/airportnewsroom/
Clicking the ‘follow’ button on the site will add your e-mail address to our database -and you will then automatically receive any news material on the airport that we add to the site.
This is a live site and a work in progress, which will continue to be populated as the airport moves towards commercial operation and as we add new material.
SHG
12 January 2016
REMINDER
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN COMPLETING IT ONLINE?
On Sunday 7 February 2016 St Helena will be conducting a Population & Housing Census. In addition to the traditional paper forms, an option to complete the Census online is available.
Additional megabytes will be provided to these households to ensure that online completion does not ‘cost’ anything to people taking up this option. Anyone who is interested in online completion, and has not yet done so, needs to register their interest no later than Friday 15 January 2016 by contacting the Statistics Office and providing the following information:
- A contact e-mail address and telephone number
- The district of the household where the questionnaire will be completed online
This information can be provided by email at: statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephoning 22138 (or via the Castle switchboard on 22470).
Registration for online completion is required as you will be issued with a unique code which you will need to access the Census online. But registration for online completion does not stop you from completing a paper questionnaire if you decide later that this is a better option for you.
Remember – We Count Because YOU Count.
If you have any questions about any aspects of the Census please get in touch. The Statistics team can be contacted on the e-mail address and telephone number, or individuals can pop into the Castle for an informal chat. Please note the Statistics Office has now moved one floor up in the Castle, directly above its old office.
SHG
11 January 2016
Do Something Good for You in 2016
Most of us can be a little bit healthier. Whether it’s making changes to what we eat, drinking more water, or being a bit more physically active. There are lots of small changes we can all make to improve our long-term health.
It’s something we all need to think about. Not only can we improve our health, and that of our families and friends, we can also reduce demands on our hospital and health service.
So that’s what January should be about:
- Improving our health and making small changes that will help in the long term
So join us in making a healthy New Year’s Resolution for 2016 and do something good for you this January.
For further information or advice please contact:
Marian Yon on e-mail marian.yon@publichealth.gov.sh or
Marian Kanes on e-mail hp-trainer@publichealth,gov.sh
Marian Kanes, Health Promotion Trainer
SHG
11 January 2016
Open to the Public from 9.30am
Executive Council will meet on Tuesday 12 January 2016 in the Council Chamber.
Starting at 9.30am, the meeting will be open to the public for two open agenda items:
- St Helena Census 2016 – Questionnaires
- Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) Innovation Programme – Pilot Strategy
Executive Council Members are: Brian Isaac, Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Pamela Ward Pearce, Derek Thomas and Lawson Henry.
Non-voting members of ExCo are: Chief Secretary Roy Burke, Acting Financial Secretary Dax Richards and Acting Attorney General Angelo Berbotto (whilst Financial Secretary Colin Owen and Attorney General Nicola Moore are on overseas business and leave).
SHG
11 January 2016
The St Helena Safeguarding Children Board has today launched a Drink-Drive poster to highlight the fact that ‘alcohol creates a new reality’ – an issue that becomes even more dangerous when those under the influence choose to get behind the wheel of a car and drive.
The poster targets not only drivers, but parents, guardians, children and young people on St Helena, alerting all to the dangers of drink-driving and also to the danger of travelling as a passenger with someone who is driving whilst intoxicated.
Drink-driving is a common safeguarding issue throughout the world, as alcohol tends to make the consumer over-confident and more likely to take risks when driving. Alcohol affects your judgment, depth perception and your motor skills needed to drive safely. Naturally, this poses a threat to all road users.
Head of CID & Safeguarding, Pam Trevillion, said of the initiative:
“Drinking and driving can destroy lives – and sadly there are a number of drivers on St Helena that are willing to put theirs and the lives of others at risk. It is a fact that alcohol impairs the ability to drive and affects people’s judgment.
“I hope this campaign serves as a reminder to all at the start of a new year to drive safely and not to drink and drive. It is the responsibility of all of us to prevent drink drivers from getting behind the wheel.”
The poster is attached to this email, and will also be displayed in various public outlets around the Island.
SHG
8 January 2016