Falklands : Falklands Summary of Executive Council Meeting 17 December 2009
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.12.2009 (Article Archived on 18.01.2010)
Being the last meeting of the year and only three weeks since the last Exco, there was not an overly onerous agenda with only 14 papers on the agenda.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 17 December 2009
Being the last meeting of the year and only three weeks since the last Exco, there was not an overly onerous agenda with only 14 papers on the agenda.
The first two papers were concerned with Fishery Access Fees and Future options for the Southern Blue Whiting Fishery. As all three current Exco members have declared interests in fisheries related businesses then Sharon Halford, Glenn Ross and Gavin Short sat instead. It was agreed that fees for restricted Finfish (W/Z) and Illex (G) licences should be increased by 10% and licence fees remain unchanged in respect of Loligo (C/X), Finfish (A/Y), Skate and Ray (F/R) and Toothfish (L) . Fee levels remain unchanged in respect of the Restricted Finfish (S) fishery but as the TAC (total allowable catch) was reduced to one third of the previous level the fees were adjusted pro rata.
It should be noted here that there are differing views on the process of setting access fees so Consultants have been contracted to review the process. The cost of this Consultancy is paid by FIG and the Fisheries Association in equal part. The outcome will be relevant to the level of fees set for 2011.
Current Exco Members returned to discuss a transportation Subsidy and Interim arrangements for the 2009/2010 season. This paper responded to the comments raised by the West Falkland and the Livestock Transport Working Groups. The options discussed were a sliding scale dependant upon the distance wool or livestock had to be carried to Port Howard or a flat rate subsidy per bale or sheep as set by a previous Exco. As wool was already being carried by hauliers who had set their rates to cater for the flat rate this was the decision taken at a rate of £3-80 per bale. Movement of sheep is yet to start and so the rates will be revisited and a sliding scale may be introduced for this after further consultation. Workboat Services were authorised to undertake two voyages to Albemarle to collect sheep for FIMCO. A further decision was that the container rate and a consolidation service to Fox Bay be thoroughly investigated early in the New Year.
The sale of a building plot to the South of 1 Racecourse Rd. to Zaza and Natasha Elbakidze was approved.
The next paper also concerned land. This came about because of an anomaly was found with various boundaries during survey work on the Moody Brook Rd. and to tidy these boundary discrepancies a land swap between Mr Robert Rowlands and FIG was approved.
A third paper concerning land, this time to reconsider the Grant of a Licence to hold Land under the Land (Non Resident) Ordinance to purchase an offshore Island. The couple concerned are invited to resubmit a fresh application along with a detailed business plan which would include investing in sustaining and extending agricultural production on the Island
Exco were next invited to consider whether or not the Falkland Islands should stand for the Executive Committee at the OCTA meeting in March 2010. It was decided the Falkland Islands should not stand on this occasion. However in order for greater involvement in and knowledge of the EU, especially availability of funding, a second paper will be submitted to the February Exco to consider employing a Brussels based consultant to attend the bi-monthly meetings and the benefits thereof. In the same vain the next paper approved was the FIG response to the European Commission through the FCO on the future relationship between the Overseas Countries and Territories and the EU.
The Maritime Security and Safety Bill, under a certificate of urgency, were next approved to go forward the Legislative Assembly on the 18th December. This Bill amends present legislation to regulate access onto, around and to legitimate businesses on FIPASS during offshore support operations.
Staying with Oil, Members gave their blessing for the Governor to seek approval from the Secretary of State for Desire Petroleum to drill six wells in their allotted areas in the North Falkland Basin. A further paper agreed the Principal Immigration Officer should not require certain posts among onshore oil support workers to have to be advertised or have work permits but employment opportunities for persons with a right of residence in the Falkland Islands must be protected.
And finally Exco agreed an additional Protocol under the Geneva Convention be extended to the Falkland Islands, this was that the Red Crystal be recognised alongside the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for December 2009.
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