The Long Term Unemployment Policy

To affect over 200 people on St Helena

Unemployment figures currently stand at approximately 230, but the St Helena Government is hoping that the Long Term Unemployment Policy will reduce these numbers.

Getting Community Workers into fulltime employment is a matter that the Employment and Social Security Department has listed among their priorities.

The Interviewing Officer feels that many of the Community Workers have skills and interests that could be developed, so that they will stand a good chance of securing a full time job.

The Department will endeavour to achieve this through the policy, which has been specially designed to get people back into full time employment through training and work experience programmes. The unemployment policy provides for such programmes in both the private and public sector and in specific areas when the need arises.

It is hoped that this policy will result in people obtaining meaningful jobs that will give them a full week’s wage. The old Community Work Scheme will be phased out eventually.

The Long Term Unemployment Policy will be presented to heads of department, the private sector employers and all community workers over the next three weeks when the details of the policy will be explained in depth.

The department recognises that this new policy will be a change for community workers, but the Interviewing Officer will work closely with them to ensure that they are fully aware of this new approach to reducing long term unemployment.

It is hoped that the policy will come into force later this year.

Health Link II (continued)

Elderly Care

Allowing the elderly to enjoy a level of health in a home environment will be achieved through two activities. The first is to continue to provide special medical care to all elderly people who require it. Ivy explained that in order to do this the programme will provide the services of a geriatrician (a doctor specialising in caring for elderly people’s medical problems) an ophthalmologist (one who studies and treats disorders and diseases of the eye), optometrist (one who measures eyesight, recommends spectacles and identifies eye diseases) and overseas training for the physiotherapist and an occupational therapist.

Public Relations/Information Office

Office of the Chief Secretary

25 June 2003

Governor and Mrs Hollamby hosted a reception at Plantation House on Thursday 19 June for 21 students who had completed their education programme at Prince Andrew School. The reception took place at 12.30pm.

Some teachers were in attendance along with Lilla Yon, who is standing in for the Chief Education Officer, and Susan O’Bey, Head teacher at Prince Andrew School. The students were between the ages of 16 and 18 years and have completed studies in GCSE, A Level and vocational courses. Some have already taken on employment, some are seeking jobs and others are hoping to study at University.

At the reception, Governor Hollamby congratulated the students on their achievement and reminded them that they should not stop here, but continue to further their education. He also encouraged them to think of St Helena and the development that is taking place, and said that if they wanted to leave the Island, then they should consider returning, as St Helena needs its young people.

The School’s Head Boy, Damien O’Bey responded to Governor Hollamby, thanking him and Mrs Hollamby for the reception.

Susan O’Bey said that the reception marked a special occasion as "these young people have completed six years of secondary schooling." She said that the students enjoyed the reception, and added that she hopes this can become an annual event.

Commenting on the achievement of the 21 students she said: "These young people have shown that they have staying power. As a result, they are more skilled to join the Island’s workforce."

Heritage Sites Working Group

Selects New Projects for 2003/04

The Heritage Sites Working Group met earlier this month to select new projects for this financial year.

The group comprises Pamela Young, Director of Tourism, Councillor Cathy Hopkins, Barbara George, Director of the St Helena National Trust, Jean Gough Employment, Benefits and Administration Officer and her counterpart Ronald Coleman, Alan Nicholls, Chairman of the Heritage Society and Nicola Essex, Senior Clerk, Tourism. Formed in June of last year, the group’s main purpose is to determine which heritage sites around the Island should be restored.

It is seen as important to have heritage sites restored for the benefit of tourists who have an interest in the Islands history and for the people of the Island and future generations.

Before making any decisions, the group took into account a list of suggestions that came from members of the public. A number of potential projects had been put forward and five were selected.

The projects, in priority order for this financial year will involve restoring the Lime Kiln at Sandy Bay, upgrading the interior of High Knoll Fort, upgrading the Boer Road leading from Flagstaff to Ruperts and to erect sign posts, upgrading the path to Sampson’s and Saddle Battery and to clear a path to Heart-Shaped Waterfall. Pamela Young, Director of Tourism said that as much work will be done toward these projects, as is possible with the funds available which totals £15,000.

The five projects will absorb all of the funds available for restoring heritage sites this year but five further projects have been placed on record to be revisited next financial year. These include improving access to Banks Battery and restoring the fort, restoring the West Point Signal Station, restoring the Prosperous Bay Signal Station, restoring the desalinisation Chimney at Rupert’s Valley and restoring Luffkins Bridge and clearing the path that leads to it.

The group will meet again to discuss quotes for the agreed projects.

The Heritage Sites Working Group decided on a number of projects for the last financial year and these were successfully completed by the Public Works and Services Department, Community Workers and personnel from the private sector.

Pamela said that she has received favourable comments about the works that have been completed.

The St Helena Tourist Office is hoping that members of the public will continue to put suggestions forward.

25 June 2003

Councillor for St Paul’s

Anthony Leo has been voted in as the new Councillor for St Paul’s. Returning Officer, Ethel Yon announced this last night at the Council Chambers in the presence of candidates, their counting agents and officials conducting the count. As Returning Officer she declared him to be a Member of the Legislative Council for the St Paul’s Electoral Area. The victory was broadcast live via Radio St Helena at about 8.30pm.

Anthony won with a total of 147 votes. The other candidates were Lionel Williams with 44 votes, Patrick Yon with 16 and Victor Lines with 7.

Anthony will join the other Councillors as a Member of Legislative Council replacing the previous Councillor, Canon Clive Duncan who is now on Ascension Island. This is Anthony’s first time to serve as a Councillor.

Out of the 515 persons on the St Paul’s electoral role, 215 voted and one vote was spoilt.

All Established Employees

Last Friday, all established Government employees were informed that the Home to Duty Transport policy had been approved by Executive Council and that it will come into force on the 1^st July this year.

Home to duty transport has been on the SHG agenda for a while. When the pay award was announced last year, an undertaking was given that home to duty transport would be reviewed. The review was recently completed and Government’s decision is that with effect from 1 July, established staff will be refunded in full for what they have to pay to the bus operator to get to and from work. Persons using private cars will not be refunded. The scheme will also apply to SHG’s shift workers such as the nurses, energy, and others. Existing bus availability to get to and from work will remain unchanged and it is hoped that this will increase, as demand increases.

Chief Secretary John Styles said that he was "delighted" that the policy has been approved. He said that in a recent survey, it was identified that having to pay for home to duty transport was one of the main things established staff were dissatisfied with particularly as SHG used to provide transport for its staff via the buses, and other employers on the Island provide this benefit to their staff. In a message to staff he said: "It thus gives me great pleasure to say that SHG has responded to your views."

The scheme is operating on a trial basis and will continue until April 2004. It is hoped that following a further review, this will become permanent. Staff have been asked to ensure that they get a receipt when paying for their transport and the money will be refunded monthly.

Commenting on the effect this will have on the private sector the Chief Secretary said: "It is hoped that the increased funding and demand will stimulate the private sector eventually to offer more bus provision."

Later this year, the St Helena Government hopes to introduce a public transport system, which will be operated by the private sector. This will allow some buses to run during the day. Persons in more isolated parts of the Island, who do not have access to their own transport will be able to travel to places more easily including Jamestown. It will also be useful to staff as Government has also introduced flexible working hours for its employees. A public transport system has never been in place on St Helena so it is considered a major step forward. It is felt that the introduction of a public transport system will be of benefit to the private sector and the people of the Island.