Falklands : Falklands Executive Council Meeting 29 August 2012
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 31.08.2012 (Article Archived on 14.09.2012)
At the meeting of Executive Council on 29 August 2012 the Honourable Gavin Short was stand in for the Honourable Dick Sawle who is overseas with the Honourable Barry Elsby on Assembly business.
Report of Executive Council Meeting held on Wednesday 29 August 2012 by the Honourable Jan Cheek
At the meeting of Executive Council on 29 August 2012 the Honourable Gavin Short was stand in for the Honourable Dick Sawle who is overseas with the Honourable Barry Elsby on Assembly business.
Public Works
An update on the proposed wind farm to provide electricity to MPA was given by the Director of Public Works. We noted the point that had been reached in negotiations, agreed the basis on which they will continue and referred funding issues to Standing Finance Committee.
The DPW stayed for several more items, the first of which was the re-phased road capping programme which has been reviewed following feedback from the public. As has already been announced we agreed to bring forward the second phase of the Sapper Hill Housing Infrastructure to address increasing needs in all sectors. He was also involved in a discussion of an FIG response to the HM Coroner’s report on a fatal road accident on West Falkland.
Environment/Lands/Planning
The Environmental Planning Officer joined us for the discussion of a number of environment related papers. We agreed a review of the Development Plan because although it has a few years to run it needs to take into account possible future developments. There is a great deal of work to be done but whatever changes are proposed will be put out for consultation next year. It is important for future generations that we have a coherent plan for land use and do not allow a lot of ad hoc decisions to damage peoples’ quality of life. Speaking of which, the next item was a proposal to further investigate the possible biological control of earwigs. Although we would like to see a reduction in their numbers there was considerable unease about bringing in a new species to attack them without guarantees that other creatures would not be affected. However, it was thought worth seeking further information.
The final environment paper was to note the Environmental Economic Evaluation study. There will be a follow up to the very successful Environmental Mainstreaming workshops held recently.
Financial/Fiscal
Financial papers considered included one relating to the purchase of a new fire appliance and a report presenting the Rural Development Strategy Action Plan for 2012-13. The latter will be published by FIDC.
Another paper clarified the application of criteria for flight charges for medical treatment overseas and spells out where exemptions will apply. These are those under 18, those in receipt of welfare, those who can prove they are unable to pay and those who previously paid the £400 ‘elective’ fee.
We agreed two tax related papers, the first a proposal to correct and clarify penalties for late filing of company accounts. An amendment will be considered at a Legislative Assembly before the end of the year. The second concerned the introduction of an extra statutory concession for individuals receiving up to £3,000 of shares a year from their employer company under a share incentive plan.
We agreed a new coin issue celebrating the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II. Finally in this section there was a paper designed to encourage and assist those on welfare who wanted to get back into work.
Two additional overseas charities were added to the local register of charities. These are the Royal Naval Association and the Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Legislation/Legal
We agreed a paper to enable the referendum to take place in March next year. There will be a bill at the next Legislative Assembly and we agreed funding to allow ease for people to participate using mobile polling stations for most of the Islands. To send a good firm message we hope for a great turn out.
An amendment to the code of practice for the welfare of sheep was supported. This includes shearing permitted between 1 November and the end of February the use of cover combs early and late season, and no shearing in April. The revised Code will go to Legislative Assembly.
A Criminal Justice (Amendment) bill will be gazetted and remitted to the next Legislative Assembly it is designed to clarify the calculation of time limits on police detention under part ten of the Criminal Justice Ordinance.
We deferred a paper on draft prison legislation as members had not had time to study it in detail.
A new breath testing device was approved. This approval will come into effect as soon as it is gazetted.
An order was made on the admissibility of hearsay evidence from children. This allows an appropriate person to report in certain proceedings what a child has said, without the child necessarily having to give evidence.
We had a preliminary report on the census there is still considerable work to be done but we hope to have some headline figures soon.
We formally approved some changes to oil licences but do not publish details.
We agreed to seek some specialist advice on immigration matters, I should stress that this is advice we can take or leave, not someone telling us what to do.
Finally we agreed to set up a small panel to look at remuneration for Assembly Members and other issues before next year’s election including how to deal with civil servants’ right to stand for election. We hope the outcome will broaden the range and number of people able and willing to serve their country.
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