Executive Council Top Lines: Tuesday 28 July 2026

A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 28 July 2026.

The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

The following items were considered:

1. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2 – 5. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes from 26 June 2026 and 1 July 2026.

Executive Council confirmed and signed off the minutes of meeting held on 26 June 2026 and 1 July 2026.

6. Amendment: Schedule to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1985 (ExCo Memo 28/2026)

Executive Council considered whether the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1985, should be amended to include additional signs and possible future signs. Members welcomed the good progress made in bringing forward the revised schedule. Minor amendments were proposed in the description of standard road signs and in the interpretation between standard road signs and St Helena custom worded signs where there was variance from recognised signs. Alongside this, there was a recognised need to update the Highway Code and to raise awareness of the additional signage. The revised schedule of road traffic signs and road markings complements other measures being introduced, including planned fixed penalty notices. The Minister for Safety Security and Home Affairs will bring this back to the next scheduled meeting of the ExCo.

7. Child Benefit (ExCo Memo 29/2026)

Executive Council considered and agreed with the recommendation of the Treasury Advisory Board to introduce a child benefit for 0 to 5 year olds, before starting primary school. This benefit will extend to all resident families on the island, with the exception of those Technical Co-operations officers who are in receipt of a supplement to their salary for dependents as part of their salary. The child benefit will be exempt from tax. The purpose of the policy is to help improve the financial situation of families with children, with a financial transfer targeted at benefitting children. The policy approach that investing in families with children via child benefit supports childhood development, reduces poverty and reaps long term benefits for the child, for society and for social and economic development. The policy also recognises the financial constraints for SHG.

It is proposed to start paying this benefit from 1 November 2026, starting at £15/ week.

8. Tax Working Programme (ExCo Memo 30/2026) 

Executive Council was asked to consider the “Options for Tax Policy” paper and advise which tax policies the government should develop over the next few years.

Substantial work has been done developing options for tax policy. The options have been developed over several years and updated to reflect this Government’s Vision and Strategy. The recommendations by the Treasury Advisory Board (TAB), and discussed with the Tax and Revenue Working Group, who are supportive of the approach, are that the following areas of policy should be reviewed:

a. Income tax reform; b. Property taxation; c. Corporation tax; d. Customs duties

e. Services tax

Members discussed the capacity constraints in developing tax policies. To ensure work to standard it is expected that 4 tax policy options can be reasonably taken forward. A commitment to reviewing income tax and customs duties has already been given to Legislative Council.

9. St Helena Government Draft Entity Financial Statements 2025/26 and Audit Engagement Letter (ExCo 31/2026)

Executive Council considered and accepted the first draft of the St Helena Government Entity Financial Statements for the 2025/26 financial year should be submitted to the Chief Auditor to undertake the annual audit as required by section 109 of the Constitution.

Timely financial reporting is essential to effective Public Financial Management (PFM), as it supports Government accountability to the Legislature and the public for the management and use of public funds. Preparing the draft 2025/26 SHG Financial Statements within four months of the financial year-end is an important first step in achieving its objectives.

Executive Council noted the Chief Auditor’s anticipated audit completion date of 31 January 2027, which is six months after the Treasury submits the first draft. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Financial Aid MOU 2025/26 requires SHG to present audited Financial Statements within 12 months of the year-end. Based on the timeline in the Audit Engagement Letter, SHG will meet the MOU’s financial reporting requirements.

10. Ministerial Updates on Significant Issues

No matters were raised.

11. Any Other Business

No matters were raised.

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