Falklands : Falkland Islands Development Board Meeting Report (17/10/06)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 18.10.2006 (Article Archived on 01.11.2006)
Find out what happened during this important meeting.
FALKLAND ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING (17/10/06)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Falkland Islands Development Board took place in the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce Function Room at 0900hrs on Tuesday, 17 October 2006. Present were Cllr Cockwell (Chair), Cllr Robertson, Mrs Gina Smith (Business Advisor Seconded) Mr. Chris Simpkins (Acting General Manager), Mr. Keith Padgett, Mr. Ron Binnie, Mr. John Fowler, Mr Mike Forrest, Dr. Brian Gara, Miss Sue Gyford and Mrs Jeannie Morton.
After declarations of interest (Stuart Wallace on items 5 and 6) matters arising from the meeting held on15 August 2006 were discussed.
ACTIVITY REPORT:
STAFF:
Acting General Manager Mr Chris Simpkins, read out a lengthy activity report and began with staff matters. Cllr Andrea Clausen would run FIDC on a day to day basis and Chris Simpkins would act as General Manager until the new General Manager, Mark Burnet, arrives mid January 2007. Bernadette Lang has returned part time after maternity leave and Jeannie Morton remains on the financial team to help with the annual audit due in October. The Board welcomed Gina Smith for a 3-month secondment.
LOOKOUT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE:
Morrison has commenced work on the spine road and expects the 11-week project to be completed on budget (£200,000.00).
CONTAINER TRANSIT YARD:
Equipment has arrived and Energise (FI) are due to begin work shortly.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES:
8 Biggs Road is on schedule to be the new General Manager’s residence. Decoration is complete in the Reflections Flat Heating has to be installed. Mr. David Limbert is expected to live in the flat.
COASTAL SHIPPING:
Tim Cotter, who had gone to Punta Arenas to oversee dry-docking of M/V Tamar Reports that it is finished and he is impressed with repairs especially with the propeller. Chris Simpkins noted that a Limited Company might be the way forward for Coastal Shipping. It was agreed that while a new ship was awaited the company would operate the TAMAR just as the FORREST and MONSUNEN were operated prior to the arrival of the TAMAR. Mike Forrest said that operating Coastal Shipping should be in the private sector and not an FIG project. However, Chris Simpkins explained that FIDC had no choice but to step in to keep the TAMAR operating.
AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME:
Executive Council has approved Option 1 in principle subject to funding, which is being discussed in the November budget review. A further paper will come to the December meeting.
WOOL CO-OPERATIVE:
The Wool Review has been approved by EXCO but Stuart Wallace mentioned he felt it was wrong to let late comers into the project when they did not work for it from the beginning. There has been liaison with Mr. Limbert about the structure of the co-operative. Mrs Alison Ingles is advising.
STANLEY DAIRY:
A further £51,000.00 has been approved for the Stanley Dairy. The Financial Secretary will amend pending legislation accordingly.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS:
EXCO has agreed to support grant schemes and funding will be available after the budget review in Noovember.
ANNUAL REPORT:
Copies have been posted to businesses and copies are available at FIDV if required.
After the financial papers were reviewed the Press and Public were excluded from the closed part of the meeting.
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