Falklands : Executive Council Report for October 2006
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 02.11.2006 (Article Archived on 16.11.2006)
H. E. the Governor Mr. Alan Huckle updates us on what happened at this important meeting.
GOVERNOR'S REPORT ON THE MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON 26 OCTOBER 2006
There were two items of significance for Falkland Islands businesses discussed at Executive Council on 26 October.
First, Executive Council approved the methodology for determining applications for Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) and Provisional Quotas (PQs) in the various finfish fisheries. This is a fairly technical subject and the ExCo paper will be publicly available to those interested in the argumentation. Briefly, however, Council agreed that decisions should be based on the actual catch performance of eligible companies, averaged over the three year period 2000–2002, with any remaining balance of quota being distributed amongst successful applicants. During the public consultations with fishing companies, some had wanted a calculation based on effort; others on the data recorded over five rather than three years; and others had wanted effort purchased but not used to be taken into account. But most seemed to favour the methodology proposed and that was ExCo's decision. Consultations are still ongoing for the ray fishery.
Executive Council also approved a draft Bill for publication, which will apply various provisions of the English 1985 Companies Act to the Falkland Islands. This will bring company law into line with equivalent legislation in Europe. One of the results of this will be that many Falkland Islands companies will no longer have to have their accounts externally audited, thus saving money, although all active companies will have to file accounts annually with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with UK accounting standards. There has been extensive consultation with local accounting professionals, and Council hopes that the Bill will be enacted in time for its provisions to apply from 1 January '07.
On the environmental front, Council has taken a decision that should enhance our domestic waste management procedures. Council approved the purchase of 4 glass recycling units, plus 15 food digester units and 15 food and vegetable waste composting units for trialing. These latter will be issued, initially free of charge, to individuals prepared to try them out, with the option to buy them at 50% of cost after one year. This should allow Public Works Department to assess their effectiveness and to decide whether or not to encourage their wider use in the future. This is a useful step forward, since as a community we should be giving greater emphasis on recycling our waste.
Smoking continues to be an issue of public discussion. Following the LegCo debate, Executive Council has decided to set up a working party to advise on whether or not legislation should be enacted to prohibit smoking in public places. The working party will consist of two Councillors, the Attorney General and Chief Medical Officer (or their representatives), and representatives of licensed victuallers and the Chamber of Commerce.
Council also discussed the problems relating to the Dental Department and acknowledged public concern about the long waiting times for treatment, which are being addressed. Council decided – on a temporary basis until waiting times are back to more reasonable levels – to waive the charge for emergency treatment for those who have not been able to be seen for a check–up within the previous two years. Other charges will continue in place and dentists will decline to provide expensive, resource–intensive treatment if they consider it clinically inappropriate.
Because of the growing importance of cruise ship tourism, the Falkland Islands Tourist Board need to take back the offices of Falklands Conservation so that they can manage the public jetty and visitor complex more effectively. Falklands Conservation will have six months to find new premises, but the Lands Committee have been tasked to consider including Falklands Conservation in the dockyard redevelopment plans.
Council discussed plans for the 25th anniversary of the Conflict, being coordinated by the 2007 Committee under the chairmanship of Lewis Clifton. So far the Committee has focused on key commemorative events and the official guests to be invited. The Committee will be asked also to prepare plans for events that will involve wider community participation.
The appointment of three members of the Pensions Board was extended to 2009 and Mr Terence McPhee was appointed to the Agricultural Advisory Committee as an independent representative for farmers, with Mr Jimmy Forster standing in in his absence.
Finally, this was the last Executive Council meeting attended by Attorney General, the Honourable David Lang QC CBE, before his retirement. Executive Council expressed their warm appreciation for David Lang's long service and sound professional advice and wished him well for the future.
Government House
27 October '06
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