Falklands : Falklands’ Summary of Executive Council Meeting 24 October 2012
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 27.10.2012 (Article Archived on 10.11.2012)
The meeting of Executive Council held on the 24th October 2012 was attended by the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Sharon Halford and the Hon Dick Sawle.
Falklands’ Summary of Executive Council Meeting 24 October 2012
The meeting of Executive Council held on the 24th October 2012 was attended by the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Sharon Halford and the Hon Dick Sawle. The Hon Roger Edwards and the Hon Ian Hansen also attended the meeting and stood in for items that some of the other members were unable to attend due to interests having been declared.
Because of people being asked to stand in the meeting started with a planning appeal which the Hon Jan Cheek and the Hon Sharon Halford had to stand down from due to their roles on the Planning and Building Committee. Executive Council refused the appeal but asked for outline development of the area in question to be looked at to determine what may be suitable for the area.
Fishing Access Fees for 2013 was the next item on the agenda and was considered by the Hon Sharon Halford, the Hon Roger Edwards and the Hon Ian Hansen. It was agreed that there would be no increase in the fees for the 2013 year and that they would therefore remain at the 2012 level.
Illex Fees 2013 followed on and was considered by the Hon Sharon Halford, the Hon Jan Cheek and the Hon Roger Edwards. As with the previous paper it was decided to leave the fees for 2013 at the 2012 level also, however there were variations agreed to the refund policy and these can be found in detail in the paper which has been published.
We then reverted to the three elected members of Executive Council for the rest of the meeting and before taking further papers we confirmed the minutes of previous meetings held on the 29 August and 8 October. In addition to these we also confirmed two email decisions reached by Executive Council on 24 September and 10 October. The Task Status Report was also considered.
A paper dealing with Financial Assistance in the form of Working Credits and Childcare Credits was next in line for discussion. Approval was given for a number of recommendations which it is hoped will help some of those who are less well off and also those who are out of work and would like to return to work. The Treasury will be responsible for advertising what is available and how to apply for these credits and will hopefully get their awareness programme underway in early December in time to get some of these schemes in place for the start of the 2013 year.
The Supplementary Appropriation (2011-2012) Bill 2012 was agreed and was forwarded to the Legislative Assembly held on the 25th October.
A paper on the FIPASS Action Plan was discussed and approval was given for some funding to allow officers to take this forward and also to investigate the legal requirements and consequences for the creation of a Port Authority in the Falkland Islands. It was also agreed that the port proper would be situated in Port William on the north side of the Camber/Navy Point; when and how this is to be undertaken is yet to be determined.
Approval was given for a reduced rate of harbour dues for a vessel in the Falklands.
FIDC had requested additional funding to cover various business loans that they had supported. Approval was given for this and also for three other papers from FIDC which were dealing with loans and had to be ratified by Executive Council as the loans were in excess of £100,000.
A two year licence was granted to FIMCo for the Disposal of their Waste and was subject to various conditions including the provision of funding for environmental survey work to be undertaken in the area of their waste chute plus water sampling there and in a couple of other areas.
It was agreed that the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute be appointed as a permanent advising body to the Environment Committee; this had been requested by the committee.
A number of oil related papers were discussed including one which looked at the policy for extensions of Offshore Production Licences.
We had a paper which provided a general update on progress and preparations for the referendum to be held early next year.
Approval was given for the application of the Road Traffic Ordinance to all rural roads, constructed by or at the expense of the Crown in right of the Falkland Islands, but not presently subject to it, on both East and West Falkland. This would not cover roads within settlements as many of these are privately owned. However before this is implemented a further report will need to be taken to Executive Council clarifying a number of points including the possibility of farm fleet vehicle licensing, insurance, the crossing of roads on farms and road signage.
The next two papers dealt with the review and consolidation of Criminal Law and Procedure and the Transfer of criminal cases to the Supreme Court; approval was given for legislative drafting to be undertaken in both of these areas.
A number of applications for Falkland Islands Status were approved.
The Waterfront Project - final report and master Plan showing the preferred option was approved.
The meeting concluded around 12.45pm.
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