St Helena : Business News from St. Helena for July 2005
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 31.07.2005 (Article Archived on 14.08.2005)

Martin Dinham, a Director in the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in London, will visit St Helena on 17 and 18 August.

DFID DIRECTOR TO VISIT ST HELENA

Martin Dinham, a Director in the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in London, will visit St Helena on 17 and 18 August.

Martin controls DFID’s Europe, Middle East and Americas Division.  This includes Overseas Territories Department, which manages development cooperation with St Helena.  Martin’s previous posts include Director of DFID Asia and Pacific Division (2000 – 2005), Head of DFID Personnel (1997 – 2000) and Adviser to the Governor of Hong Kong (1992 – 1997).

Although in his present post only since January of this year, Martin already has been involved in major decisions concerning St Helena.  These include the airport announcement in March and DFID support for the island’s 2005/06 budget.  He is reported to be looking forward very much to meeting Saints, and seeing St Helena, as much as he possibly can during his short stay.  Martin will depart via Ascension Island, where he will have further meetings.

He will be accompanied by Clive Warren, Head of DFID Overseas Territories Department since 2001, and Phil Mason who will succeed Clive in October.

26 July 2005

Package of Improvements within the Existing Constitution

Following the majority “No” vote for a new Constitution that would have introduced a ministerial form of Government, Governor Clancy has announced a package of improvements that can be made within the existing Constitution.

These improvements will be introduced following the General Election on 31 August 2005.

Meetings of Executive Council

If at least three Executive Council Members were to request a meeting of Executive Council, the Governor will agree to do so. In addition, Chairmen of Council Committees will be able to include items relating to their own committee on the ExCo Agenda.

More Effective Committees

Currently, a number of SHG officials sit on Council Committees and they have a vote. In future, the committees will be smaller, comprising four Elected Members. The relevant Head of Department, with other officials as considered necessary, would still attend committee meetings but they would not have a vote. Instead, officials would make recommendations to the committee, the committee would make the decisions, and the officials would implement these decisions. Heads of Departments for respective committees, would act as Chief Policy Advisers to the Chairs.

Among other changes it is proposed to amend Standing Orders to enable the establishment of a Public Accounts Committee and scrutiny committees. Likewise, the existing Code of Conduct for Councillors will also be revised, in consultation with the new Legislative Council. In addition the remuneration package for Elected Members is currently being reviewed and any changes will be announced as soon as possible.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 25 July 2005

FCO and Constitutional Change

Governor Clancy has made Members of Legislative Council aware of a letter which he has received from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the FCO, Lord Triesman of Tottenham (David Triesman). This letter followed on from Governor Clancy’s report to the FCO on the Motion that was supported by Legislative Council on 28 May 2005, on the outcome of the Consultative Poll.

In his reply Lord Triesman noted with interest the outcome of the Poll and while he appreciated that the “no” vote would have been a disappointment to those who prepared the draft constitution, he said “as the UK Government has consistently said, any constitutional amendments must have the broad support of the population of the territory.” Lord Triesman noted that in St Helena’s case, the broad support was not there at this time.

He did, however say “I noted that the motion adopted by councillors indicated that there is still a wish for change to, and within, the existing constitution”. He went on to say “There may be changes which could even now be made within the framework of the current constitution e.g. on the number of constituencies.” This is something Executive Council has considered.

Lord Triesman said that the FCO looks forward to considering possible future improvements to the constitution and said “In slower time, we need to consider whether there are elements of the draft constitution separate from ministerial government which could be incorporated into the current constitution.”

He concluded by saying “We anticipate considering these in conjunction with the new councillors who will take up office following the elections in September.”

In commenting on Lord Triesman’s letter, Governor Clancy said “I am sure that we on the Island can work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in identifying improvements within and to the existing constitution. I know that some people considered that major constitutional change at this time could be a distraction from developments relating to the airport. However, I am confident that we can make many worthwhile improvements at a pace which takes account of our other challenges.”

Public Relations/Information Office : Office of the Chief Secretary, 16 June 2005

Press Release

Following the tragic events that took place in London earlier this month, Governor Clancy sent a message to Her Majesty the Queen which read as follows:

“Your Majesty,

On behalf of the people of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha I convey our sympathy to those who have suffered injury or trauma as a result of yesterday’s tragic events in London. We send our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives.  While we are thousands of miles away, we feel very close to the people of Britain in spirit, and we know that they will respond with resolve and determination.”

Yesterday, Governor Clancy received a reply from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which reads as follows:

“The Queen wishes to convey her sincere thanks for Your Excellency’s message of sympathy following the recent bombings in London. Her Majesty  greatly appreciated Your Excellency’s kind sentiments on behalf of the people of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha at this difficult time.”

Office of the Governor: The Castle, 27 July 2005

Dental Service

The Public Health and Social Services Department has announced that the Island is currently without a full time Dentist. This is as a result of Dentist Ross Henderson having to return to the UK as a matter of urgency.

Retired Dentist, Steve Terry, has kindly agreed to provide emergency cover until a Locum Dentist arrives. Chief Administrative Health and Social Services Officer, Ivy Ellick OBE, says that Nicare is currently in the process of recruiting a Locum Dentist who should hopefully arrive here on 25 July.

The Dental Hygienist will continue to provide an oral hygiene service, and appointments to see her will be in the usual manner.

In the case of Dental emergencies, patients can contact the Dental Clinic on Telephone number 2500 and staff will arrange for them to be seen.

The Public Health and Social Services Department apologies for any inconvenience.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 13 July 2005

Derek Richards – Head of Department

The newest Head of Department is former Deputy Fire Chief Derek Richards.

Derek applied for the challenging and demanding post of Manager/Head of Department in Public Works and Services, and was successful.

In speaking about his appointment he said: “I am delighted with my appointment and look forward to working in my new role. I have already met with my corporate team and am pleased with their positive approach. I will certainly miss the Fire department, but am not distancing myself from them as I will continue to play an active role.”

Derek will be responsible for managing the Public Works and Services Department including budgetary procedures. He will develop, monitor and update management and departmental planning frameworks, maintain and develop appropriate training for employees, and devise and implement policies for succession planning which comes in the form of updating staff profiles in accordance with the requirements of the department as an when posts become vacant and in accordance with the agreed structure of the department. Derek will also review the services and operations provided by the department with a view to providing these in the most cost effective and efficient way. As Head of Department he will be responsible for approximately 250 employees.

Derek started his career at the Trade School and following this he moved to Ascension Island. On returning to St Helena he spent a number of years working at Radio St Helena as News Editor. He then moved to the Fire Section as Station Officer before being promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. It was in this role that he gained experience in modern management practices and led his section to IiP accreditation as a part of the Police Department meeting the IiP Standard. For several months last year he was seconded to the Personnel Department as a Personnel Officer. Here he worked with the Public Works and Services Department to help them prepare for eventual Investor in People assessment. He also helped some other departments that have not yet been accredited. 

Derek took up post last Friday and will serve as Counterpart for the first six months of his appointment.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary: 12 July 2005

Jenny Corker FMAAT JP Officially Retires from SHG

After working with the St Helena Government for many years, Jenny Corker JP, officially retired on 5 July 2005.  Staff at the Audit Department hosted a farewell lunch for Jenny earlier this year.

Jenny started working in Government as a Probationer Nurse at the General Hospital, but she later moved to the Audit Department as a Clerk and it was in this field that she was to develop her career with SHG.

She worked with Solomon and Company for a period of time and then returned to SHG as Examiner of Accounts in the Audit Department. During this time she was seconded to carry out the duties as the Acting Senior Customs Officer.

Following a period of overseas training, Jenny returned to the Audit Department as an Assistant Auditor and from here onwards she progressed up the ladder to Audit Manager, and Senior Audit Manager.

Jenny also took on the role of Acting Chief Auditor on a number of occasions. In this position she was the Auditor-General for St Helena with responsibility for the provision of a comprehensive public audit service to Legislative Council in accordance with local legislation and professional Auditing standards. Jenny assisted with providing an internal audit service to SHG, and was assigned the portfolio to provide external audit services to parastatals and a number of other bodies including the Government of Tristan da Cunha.

Jenny continued to study throughout her employment and saw great success when she qualified as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. Later she saw more success when she became a Fellow of the Association of Accounting Technicians which allowed her to carry the designation FMAAT after her name. This was an outstanding achievement. Jenny also wanted to pass her knowledge onto other people and did this through her work, and by teaching GCSE Accounts at Prince Andrew School. She also tutored persons for the Auditing Paper 8 in the Certified Accounting Technicians course.

Outside of her work with SHG, Jenny has been a Director on the Solomon and Company Board and a Justice of the Peace.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 13 July 2005

Nicole Peters obtains Excellent Results

St Helenian scholar, Nicole Peters, has obtained a first class Bachelors of Engineering Honours Degree in Computers, Networking and Communications Technology. She will graduate from Coventry University on 19 July.

Nicole’s course was a technical one, which allowed her to become educated in all aspects of software and hardware issues relating to computer and networking systems.   The development of networking skills and network design were also a prominent element of the course to provide her with an understanding of network protocols infrastructure and planning. 

Taking the degree as a sandwich type course meant that in addition to carrying out her academic studies she also did a year of work experience with Debenhams where she worked within the software solutions team. One of her assignments was to offer enhanced planning functionality to the International Division.

Nicole’s degree makes her employable in many areas including software engineering, hardware development, network and communication engineering, and network and Information Technology administration. She will return to St Helena in October of this year when she will take up employment within the IT Section of the Finance Department.

Chief Finance Officer, Desmond Wade said “We are pleased with what she has achieved and we look forward to receiving her in the IT Section so that we can call on her expertise for the ever increasing demand in IT services.”

In commenting on Nicole’s achievement, the Education Support Programme UK Co-ordinator said: “Nicole has gained the highest success by achieving a first. This has been down to her dedication and hard-work. Few achieve such heights of success, so the result is even more impressive. The Island must be very proud of her.”

In speaking about her studies, Nicole said: “I appreciate being given the opportunity to have done this and look forward to using both my theory and experience gained to the maximum effect on St Helena.”

Nicole was sponsored initially by the Prince Andrew School - Post School Scholarship and for her final year by the Technical-Co-operation Training Scheme.

Ref: www.coventry.ac.uk

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 13 July 2005

Press Notice

At the Annual General Meeting of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Committee on Monday 18 July the Chairman for the past six years, Mrs Joan (Patsy) Flagg announced that she wished to stand down. Mr Michael Stevens was elected as the new Chairman.

Governor Clancy as President of the Committee thanked Mrs Flagg for her dedicated service as committee member, secretary and chairman in over 30 years involvement with the committee.

Mrs Flagg has been involved from the inception of the Award Scheme on the Island in 1972.

Mrs Flagg’s contribution, together with that of her husband, Arnold has also been recognised by the Headquarters of the Award Association. Governor Clancy at the AGM read out the following letter from Mrs Gillian Shirazi Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award international Association:

“Dear Arnold and Patsy,

On behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association, I would like to thank both of you for your extraordinary contribution over the past 30 plus years to the Award in St Helena.

The Award’s development would not have been possible without your efforts and we are very grateful for your service. The young people of St Helena have benefited tremendously from your tireless efforts to deliver the Award to its highest standard. You have both served the Committee well, in various capacities but most importantly both as Chairmen of the Award for so many years.

I would like to send you our best wishes as you step down from the Award Committee in St Helena. You have both made the Award in St Helena what it is today and I cannot thank you enough for your hard work over the past 30 years.” 

Office of the Governor: The Castle, 20 July 2005

Press Release

Governor Clancy departed St Helena earlier today for Ascension Island to spend a few days on official business. Following this Governor Clancy will take overseas leave and will return to St Helena on 23 August via Ascension Island.

During Governor Clancy’s absence, Ethel Yon MBE will serve as Deputy to Governor and Acting Chief Secretary. The Acting Chief Secretary appointment took effect from Tuesday 26 July and the Deputy to Governor appointment takes effect from today 27 July.

This will be Ethel’s third time to serve as Deputy to Governor, and she has taken on the Acting Chief Secretary role on about 40 occasions, having first done so in 1991.

Gillian Francis will continue in the role of Acting Deputy Secretary while Ethel is Acting Chief Secretary.  

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 27 July 2005

SHG Implements a Policy on Smoking

The St Helena Government will implement a policy on smoking on 1 August 2005.

Chief Personnel Officer, Barbara George, said "This policy does not take away the right of an individual to smoke while at work, but recognises that non-smokers also have a right to not become passive smokers".

The policy states that smoking is not allowed in any office or working area in Government Departments. SHG has not ruled out smoking in Government Departments completely, as provision has been made for smokers with a designated area being set aside for these persons.

The policy applies to all employees as well as visitors, and in addition to applying to departments, the policy states that employees will not be allowed to smoke in Government vehicles either.

In preparation departments have been placing No Smoking Signs in offices, and employees have been informed of the decision. They were also consulted for their views before the policy was finalised.

Before this, no policy was in place, although some departments had rules about employees not smoking in the work place. With the finalisation of the policy, all SHG employees will have the same rules applying to them about smoking at work.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 27 July 2005

SHG Carries out Interviews

SHG has been carrying out a number of interviews to fill posts on the Island.

The Public Service Commission met on Monday of last week to interview candidates for two high level Government Posts.

SHG recently saw resignations from the posts of Chief Agricultural and Natural Resource Officer, and Manager of the Public Works and Services Department. Both of these posts are meanwhile being filled in an acting capacity.

Chief Personnel Officer, Barbara George, said that most of last Monday was dedicated to interviewing candidates for each of these posts. In addition to being interviewed, candidates were required to give a presentation outlining their vision for the respective departments. Interviews took place at the Personnel Department at No. 3, Main Street, Jamestown.

The Public Service Commission carries out interviews for all SHG posts, which are graded at level 5 or higher.

In related news, SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, carried out interviews at her London Office along with personnel from the University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for International Development and Training. These interviews were for Teachers under the Education Support Programme. Three persons have been selected and two should arrive at St Helena during the middle of August with the other one following shortly after.

Kedell also travelled to Belfast to be part of the interviewing panel for the Nurse Tutor post. Guy Collins has been selected to fill this position and will arrive at St Helena around 10 September this year when the Locum Nurse Tutor, Millicent Walker, completes her contract.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, June 2005

SHG UK Rep Meets with Influential People

The St Helena Government UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, has been meeting with a number of influential people in the UK. These meetings have allowed her to talk about St Helena and what the Island needs in order to go forward.

Kedell attended the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster and following this, she attended a reception, which was hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, (UK Branch). She said: “This gave me the opportunity to meet with Members of Parliament including Lord Triesman.” Lord Triesman is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and he has special responsibilities for the Overseas Territories.

Kedell also met with some of the newly elected Members of Parliament.

At a later meeting she met with Haden Spencer who has recently succeeded Mike Doig as the European Union, Overseas Countries and Territories Coordinator. Kedell said “Haden had arranged to meet all of the OT UK Representatives as part of his familiarisation programme.”

Most of their discussions focused on European Development Funds (EDF) and accessing the regional fund. This is of interest to St Helena as SHG is hoping to benefit from European Development Funds so that the Wharf Improvement Project can be implemented. St Helena has benefited from EDF funding in the past with monies being approved for Hoole’s Wall at the Sea Front, and for the High Point Rendel and Golder Consultancies to look at cliff stabilisation at the Wharf Area in Jamestown.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 29 June 2005

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