Falklands : Executive Council September Report
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 27.09.2005 (Article Archived on 11.10.2005)
A brief report on the proceedings of Executive Council.
September Executive Council Meeting
We started ExCo this month with a session at which all Councillors were invited to be present in order to discuss the recent judgement by the Court on the Gordon Forbes case. Obviously that is still sub-judice at the moment and I cannot reveal Councillors discussions in detail. They did however consider very carefully the judgement and the reasons behind it and also considered further legal advice on a number of issues. The financial implications of the judgement were also discussed. I know that as soon as possible they will be making a public statement.
Transport issues figured highly this month with Councillors considering and approving for submission to the Transport Advisory Committee a study on Integrated Transport issues. This is the result of much hard work by the former Economic Adviser and the Chief Executive. It contains a detailed analysis of current transport arrangements in the Falklands – FIGAS, the road network, coastal shipping and port development. The study is intended to stimulate debate among the public about the future of organisation of and investment in the transport infrastructure in the Falklands. It does not propose solutions but it does identify some priorities. There has been a considerable amount of investment in transport infrastructure in the islands in recent years and this has taken place alongside changing needs and requirements. In some cases improved infrastructure has promoted changes in needs. The growth of the road network in particular is a case in point. But Councillors and Government are very concerned to ensure that people get value for money and maximise the opportunities of new developments, without compromising essential needs. The study will be considered by the Transport Advisory Committee in October and following that there will be an extensive period of public consultation. In particular there will be meetings and Camp roadshows to focus on these issues. The plan is then to have a further report to the Transport Advisory Committee in early 2006 which would submit recommendations to ExCo on the way forward. I commend the report to everyone and would urge you all to take part in the debate and submit your views.
Another major issue considered by ExCo this month which I know has been the subject of great interest is the Management Plan for the Murrell River area in advance of the completion of the road later this year. As you will remember, the road construction was conditional on the production of a management plan for the area. ExCo considered a paper with three options for management, ranging from doing nothing at this stage to an onerous regime of regulation and patrolling. They decided that the middle course suggested, of a self-policing permit system was the most suitable way forward. This will involve the erection of a number of signs and a small parking area. Permits will be necessary to fish in the Murrell and will be subject to certain regulations as to the size and number of fish caught. Councillors will consider further the exact terms of such permits – including the cost – and will finalise this at their next meeting. In the meantime they would be happy to hear any comments from the public.
Members took note of a report from the Young People’s Working Group which set out an analysis of issues for further action. This was an issue of great concern and they stressed that the Royal Falkland Islands Police had their full backing for using the powers at their disposal to take action against under-age drinking and particularly supply of alcohol to under-age children. They also asked the Attorney General to draft legislation which would enable the imposition of bans on drinking in certain public places. Their intention was not to ban drinking in all public places but, if a specific area became known as a problem location then the Governor would have the power to designate it as a ‘drink-free zone’.
An amendment was made to the Government housing policy to the effect that ordinarily a holder of PRP will not be considered for government housing until a period of four years after the issue of the PRP. Applicants for PRP are already told that its grant does not entitle them to government housing and this amendment makes this more clear. However in clearly demonstrable extenuating circumstances it would be possible for exceptions to be made.
Councillors also considered an update on the future of the Printing Office. The Government has been in discussions with the private sector about the privatisation of this resource and as a result it has been decided to close the Printing Office with effect from 30 June 2006. Whilst it is not appropriate to say too much at this stage about the future of printing in the Islands at this stage as commercial discussions are still ongoing, it was felt that the sooner customers of the existing service knew about the proposed change the sooner they could start considering their printing needs.
Another issue to look out for in the near future is the possible re-tendering of some of the grazing plots available in Stanley. Many of these have been rented out on leases that have long since expired, and which have been rolling over on a six monthly or annual basis. Councillors therefore asked the Stanley Lands Committee to look at retendering these. Leases on grazing land which have not yet expired are still of course valid.
A few less controversial issues were decided – the acceptance of a tender for the Camber House (although until all parties have been notified I will not say the result); the resumption of grants for off-street parking; two bills on postal voting in the UK and the Media Trust and a decision in principle on regulation of civil aviation matters here in the Falklands. The next Executive Council will be the last of this current set of Councillors and will consider urgent business only. It will meet on 27 October.
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