1. Renovation of Sheltered Accommodation

The main purpose of the project is to provide expanded sheltered accommodation at Cape Villa, Plantation, to meet projected increases in the Island’s ageing population, with six new units. A contractor has been identified and work will start shortly.

2. Reducing Reliance on Diesel

A pilot Photo Voltaic grid has been installed on the roof of the Energy Division Complex, Seale’s Corner. It is testing the feasibility of this technology and the scale of subsequent installations will be dictated by the results of the pilot. There is an online facility to see how much energy the installation on the Energy Division’s roof is generating. This is available as follows:

Go to www.sunnyportal.com

Click on “Publicly available plants”

In the “Country” search box, select “Saint Helena” and click on “Search”

Select “St Helena Solar PV ” and click on Monthly Report

3. Installing Wind Power

Planning permission has been approved for six additional wind turbines of the same type and size as the existing ones, and work to appoint a designer and contractor for these has commenced. The economic benefit of bringing additional wind turbines into action has been tested and is significant. It is envisaged that the procurement and most of the work could be completed this financial year, and so this project is being accelerated.

4. Water

The main purpose of the project is to upgrade water collection, storage and distribution infrastructure and to provide treated water to all communities. There are 16 work packages, designed to allow local expertise to be used for construction, wherever possible. Work in Gordon’s Post Road is underway at the moment. Planning approval has been granted for changes to Red Hill Water Treatment Works to accommodate a depot and store. This temporary store for construction materials has now been completed. We have placed a contract for the construction of two new water tanks at Pouncey’s and work has started on the Red Hill to Pouncey’s new water main, together with a cable to assist remote control of the pumps.

5. Jamestown Hospital and Laboratory

The main purpose of the project is to provide St Helena with a hospital that has modern facilities in a patient-centred healthcare environment. The project also includes a new Laboratory that will combine the existing Food and Water testing facility with the Public and Clinical Health Laboratory. The new facility would have the capability to improve haematology services and increase the blood transfusion capability.

Accident and emergency facilities will be improved, and a minor operating theatre will be added, along with other specialist services. Additional space will also enable St Helena to use telemedicine, reducing the need for medical evacuations for some off-Island treatments.

The contract for the detailed option designs is underway. Additional work has been instructed to allow for the design of temporary upgrades to allow a new X-ray machine to be delivered and utilised before the majority of the other work is completed.

6. Solid Waste Management

The main purpose of the project is to put in place the infrastructure, facilities, systems and procedures required to establish a long-term waste management strategy for St Helena. This will enable effective, sustainable management of waste, covering waste collection, recycling, treatment and disposal.

Recent discussions at Executive Council have agreed:-

· A forward plan for solid waste management on St Helena.

· An upgrade of the Horse Point Landfill which will start with the procurement of some specialist equipment, so that the new facility can be opened later next year.

7. Relocations

The Infrastructure and Utilities Directorate has been relocated to 12 office units in Carnarvon Court (formerly the Haven). As a consequence, Human Resources has been relocated to the Castle, releasing No 3 Main street for a potential private sector development of 1, 2, and 3 Main Street.

8. Backlog Maintenance: Government Landlord Housing (GLH)

A survey of all properties is being undertaken and a works programme is being drawn up. Bleak House is being converted as a disabled friendly three bedroom unit and a specialist new build for three two-bedroomed steel frame units has been contracted out.

9. Challenging Behaviour Unit (CBU)

This project has been designed and has gained planning consent. Expressions of Interest for construction contractors are currently being advertised. The proposed site is the upper part of the former Half Tree Hollow primary school. Once this is opened, residents from Sundale can be moved to the new facility, releasing that site for the development of the new Prison.

10. Prison

The main purpose of this element of the project is to deliver the new Prison, converting the Sundale building to meet modern operational requirements. A recent visit by a Home Office expert has confirmed the need to deliver this project.

11. Social Welfare Projects

The bulk of the funding this year is for the Community Care Complex Block B conversion to facilitate the relocation of residents from Barn View. This project is currently in the design stage.