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WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2015
The second formal session (for 2015) of the Public Accounts Committee will take place on Wednesday, 11 November, at 10am in the Court House, Jamestown.
The Order Paper for the meeting is as follows:
- Chairman’s Address
- St Helena Line Limited
- St Helena Audit Service: St Helena Airport Project Overview Audit
In respect of Remembrance Day, a one minute silence will be observed at the meeting at 11am.
The public is invited to attend.
SHG
2 November 2015
WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2015
As part of the Hospital Refurbishment, Connect Saint Helena Ltd and Basil Read are upgrading the transformer at the General Hospital in Jamestown. As a result of this upgrade there will be a power outage for the whole day at the Hospital on Wednesday 4 November 2015 – subject to there being no medical emergencies.
The standby generator will be available during this outage but the public is advised that only emergency services will be available at the Hospital.
The following services will not be available:
- Dental Services
- Outpatient Clinics in Jamestown
- Nurse-led Clinic in Longwood
- Pharmacy Bus at Longwood Clinic
- Laboratory Services
Also on Wednesday, the Pharmacy in Jamestown will be unable to issue repeat prescriptions – anyone needing repeat prescriptions is encouraged to collect them before Wednesday.
Normal services will resume on Thursday 5 November 2015.
The impact of this outage is quite extensive, but unavoidable. The Health Directorate apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for its understanding.
SHG
2 November 2015
Careers Fair
On Wednesday, 28 October 2015, St Helena’s annual Careers Fair was held at Prince Andrew School from 10am to 3.30pm and from 6.30 to 8pm. In a busy hall both the public and private sectors took part, showcasing their activities, making presentations using videos and slideshows – and demonstrating their various business activities.
In her opening remarks, Cynthia Bennett, Work Development Coordinator for SHG, commented:
“There have been many challenges in the run-up to this year’s Careers Fair, but despite these obstacles we have all pulled together to make this event possible. Please enjoy the Fair, which I hope will give you inspiration to develop yourself professionally and achieve your full potential.”
Director of Education, Shirley Wahler, added:
“I would like to thank the Acting Chief Secretary, Government officials, Councillors, presenters and stallholders for being here today. This event is not just about the careers of individuals but also about the future of St Helena. As all these options are presented to you, and as you make a choice that suits you, you are also committing to the Island herself.
“This is a big event, an important event about planning for the future, and shaping the Island as a whole. Enjoy today, but take it seriously, think about what you might want to be ten years from now and how you can move in the right direction.”
Speakers covered topics such as Career Progression, Life as a Solicitor, Careers in Management, University Education, and Apprenticeships.
Careers Fair
Two pictures are attached to this release.
SHG
30 October 2015
Simon Bennett
Simon Bennett, SHG’s Senior GIS Surveyor (pictured), will leave for Ascension Island on 2 November 2015 to attend a Remote Sensing workshop – on a three week course run by AIG’s Conservation team as part of its Darwin Project: ‘Mapping Ascension Island’s Terrestrial Ecosystem’.
Simon spoke of what he hopes to gain from his training:
“The workshop will expose me to different methods of data collection and analysis, which will benefit me in future Geographic Information System (GIS) works at our office here on St Helena. It will also be a good opportunity to see various different approaches to GIS.”
Simon’s main role in SHG is to support the development of the St Helena Environmental Information System (SHEIS), including giving support to GIS users and promoting the use of GIS. He is also responsible for Land Registry surveys and for developing a fully digital map of the Island.
Simon’s trip will be funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Jubilee Fund, managed by the Governor’s Office.
Simon concluded:
“I would like to thank both the FCO and the Governor’s Office for giving me this opportunity.”
Simon will return to St Helena on Saturday 28 November 2015.
SHG
30 October 2015
Executive Council met today, Thursday 29 October 2015, with five items on the Open Agenda.
Governor’s Deputy Sean Burns welcomed all to the meeting.
The first item for discussion was to consider St Helena Government’s Financial Statements 2012/13, together with the Chief Auditor’s Management Letter. The Financial Secretary subsequently signed the Financial Statements and the Chief Auditor gave his Audit opinion.
In the second item, Executive Council approved the Employment Rights (Amendment) Bill. This Bill amends the Employment Rights Ordinance 2010 to make provision for equal pay for women. It also introduces a complaints procedure for female employees in respect of this right.
For the third item, Executive Council approved the Juries (Amendment) Bill which extends the age of Jurors to allow persons between the ages of 18 and 70 years to serve on a Jury. It also increases the minimum number of Jurors from eight to nine and makes provision for Majority rather than Unanimous verdicts.
In the fourth item, Executive Council approved the Environmental Protection Bill which provides a legislative framework for the protection of the environment, including the conservation of biodiversity, the control of pollution and hazardous substances, the control of litter and waste and the regulation of trade in endangered species.
Finally, Executive Council approved the Mental Health and Mental Capacity Bill, which will replace the existing Mental Health Ordinance. This Bill makes provision for the reception, detention, care and treatment of mentally disordered persons as well as provisions relating to persons who lack mental capacity.
All of these Bills will be presented as Government Business at the Formal Legislative Council meeting on Friday 13 November 2015.
ExCo
29 October 2015
HM Customs & Port Control would like to advise that the Wharf will be closed to the public for two hours from 8.30am to 10.30am on Friday 30 October 2015, to enable the Rock Guards to remove the safety barrier and any loose debris above the Freight Terminal.
SHG
29 October 2015
Following the report of a disturbance during the early hours of Saturday 24 October 2015 at an address in Two Gun Saddle, a 40 year old man from Two Gun Saddle was charged on Tuesday 27 October with offences under the Firearms, Public Order and Road Traffic Ordinances. He appeared before Jamestown Magistrates Court on the same day and was remanded in custody to Her Majesty’s Prison, Jamestown.
If anyone has any information regarding this matter, they are encouraged to contact the Investigations Team at the Police Station.
Chief of Police, Trevor Botting
SHG
28 October 2015
The Education Committee has designated Friday 6 November, as St Helena Teacher Appreciation Day 2015. This comes from a new emphasis within the Directorate on promoting the value of education and educators in the future of St Helena. On this day, the entire community is encouraged to show their appreciation for the teachers who have contributed and continue to contribute so much to the Island.
Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Chair of the Education Committee, commented:
“The Education Committee and St Helena Government wish to recognise the contributions that educators make to the lives of the students they teach. Teachers help build up society and education is the foundation on which we build the future. Our educators deserve our thanks for their hard work.”
Director of Education, Shirley Wahler, added:
“Great teachers make a lasting impact on their students’ lives. When a young person learns from an exceptional teacher, he or she is more likely to do well in school and to succeed later in life. Teachers lift up the next generation and enrich the community. They deserve our gratitude and support.”
All students and parents are encouraged to find a simple way to say Thank-You to our teachers. Your appreciation could be expressed with a note of encouragement, a card, a flower from the garden, or even a simple word of thanks. On this day, the Education Directorate also encourages past students to seek out those teachers who inspired them and who helped to develop the vibrant community that is seen today.
So please use Friday 6 November to say a special thank you to the teaching staff -past and present – across the Island.
Shirley Wahler concluded:
“The work of a teacher is always challenging, but caring, committed and compelling teachers are the foundation of any successful society. St Helena can be justly proud of the Island’s teachers and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to show our true appreciation for their work.”
SHG
27 October 2015
WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2015
The second formal session (for 2015) of the Public Accounts Committee will take place on Wednesday, 11 November, at 10am in the Court House, Jamestown.
The Order Paper for the meeting is as follows:
- Chairman’s Address
- St Helena Line Limited
- St Helena Audit Service: St Helena Airport Project Overview Audit
In respect of Remembrance Day, a one minute silence will be observed at the meeting at 11am.
The public is invited to attend.
SHG
27 October 2015
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2015
A Major Incident Exercise took place on Friday 23 October 2015 to test the emergency services’ response to a simulated Airport emergency. The scenario was a challenging one and was the first time the Airport emergency services were deployed with the local teams.
Overall, whilst there were many lessons learned, the exercise demonstrated that the teams can work well together when responding to an incident. Future exercises will test this interoperability further to improve the response to any Airport emergencies.
Chief of Police, Trevor Botting said:
“This exercise was challenging and whilst there are a number of points that will help us to improve the way we work, it demonstrated that the emergency teams from the Airport and from St Helena more generally can work together in an operational context.”
Aerodrome Manager, Nigel Spackman, added:
“These exercises are an essential part of the Airport certification process and are designed to give the Regulator confidence in our ability to operate the Airport safely and to identify areas for improvement. It was clearly proven that SHG Emergency Services and the Airport teams can work together effectively, albeit that there are – as expected – areas where we can improve.
“I look forward to working with SHG on making this a success for all agencies.”
SHG
27 October 2015