A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 08 September 2026.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:
 
CLOSED AGENDA
 
Declaration of Interest
Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 28 July 2026
Matters Arising from Minutes of 28 July 2026
Tourism Strategy and Delivery Plan, 2026 – 2032 (ExCo Memo 34/2026)
Victims of Crime Compensation: Options for Policy (ExCo Memo 35/2026)
Terms of Reference for Children’s Champion (ExCo Memo 36/2026)
Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo
Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Main Building Works – St Helena New Prison
(ExCo Memo 32/2026)
SHG and Sure Memorandum of Understanding – Delivery, Operation and   
Future Development of Electronic Communications and Broadcasting on St Helena (ExCo Memo 33/2026)
Select Committees (Establishment) Order, 2026 St Helena Government
 Ministerial Updates on Significant Issues
Any Other Business
 
NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines.
 
 
 
The following items were considered:
 
Declaration of Interest
The Chief Minister declared an interest in agenda item 5.
 
2 – 3. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes from 28 July 2026.
Executive Council confirmed and signed off the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2026.
 
4. Tourism Strategy and Delivery Plan, 2026 – 2032 (ExCo Memo 34/2026)
Executive Council considered whether the Tourism Strategy and Delivery Plan 2026 to 2031, as presented should be approved and used as the framework for the delivery of the island’s Tourism Development Programme (TDP).
 
Members recognised that, after financial aid and remittances, the tourism industry is the largest contributor to the local economy and expressed support for the approach set out in the Strategy. Members commended the evidence-based approach used to inform the Strategy, noting that a key objective is to provide stability for the industry. It was also highlighted that successful delivery will require cross-sector involvement.
 
Executive Council supported and approved the Tourism Strategy and Delivery Plan, 2026 – 2032.
 
5.  Victims of Crime Compensation: Options for Policy (ExCo Memo 35/2026)
 (Due to a declared conflict of interest, the Chief Minister left the room for this agenda item) 
 
Executive Council considered options for the development of a Victims’ Code of Practice and a proposal for a scheme whereby compensation awarded to offenders would be held in a protected trust account to protect the interests of victims.
 
Executive Council agreed that Options 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 should be taken forward for public consultation to seek the views of the public before any decision is made.
 
6. Terms of Reference for Children’s Champion (ExCo Memo 36/2026)
Executive Council was asked to consider and agree the revised Terms of Reference for the Children’s Champion as per Section 3(3) of Part II of the Welfare of Children Ordinance, 2010.
 
Members noted that the scope of the ToRs risked extending the Champion’s functions outside of the Welfare of Children Ordinance, 2010 (WoCO), noting in particular the proposed extension of the remit to young people up to the age of 25 years and blurring the distinction between strategic oversight and operational decision making. Members agreed that the revised Terms of Reference raised problematic issues requiring further consideration.
 
It was decided that the revised TORs should be referred back to the Safeguarding of Children Board, noting that it would an opportune time to review with the imminent arrival in post of the new Safeguarding Board Chair and Delivery Manager. Members agreed that the existing ToRs would remain in place until any revised version is agreed.
 
Executive Council therefore did not approve the revised ToRs and agreed that these should be referred to the Safeguarding in Children Board for further consideration.
 
 
Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo
Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Main Building Works – St Helena New Prison (ExCo Memo 32/2026)
SHG and Sure Memorandum of Understanding – Delivery, Operation and Future Development of Electronic Communications and Broadcasting on St Helena (ExCo Memo 33/2026)
 Select Committees (Establishment) Order, 2026
 
Executive Council agreed with the decisions made for 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3.
 
Ministerial Updates on Significant Issues
8.1 Minister Thrower outlined next steps for SHG and Sure SA Ltd following the approval of the MOU reference in 7.2 above.
 
Any Other Business
Executive Council approved Minister Turner’s request for a Customs Exemption
for Chrome Books for Education.
 
As this was the final meeting of Executive Council during HE Governor Phillips’s
tenure, the Chief Minister thanked Governor Phillips for his support, advice, honesty, hard work, and dedicated service to St Helena.  She also extended best wishes to Governor and Mrs Phillips for a long and happy retirement.
 
 
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