St Helena : St. Helena Executive Council Report Covering the October 2006 Meeting
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 06.11.2006 (Article Archived on 20.11.2006)
At the Executive Council meeting held on 31 October 2006, Members discussed a proposed amendment to the Immigrants’ Landholding (Restriction) Ordinance, submission of a Project Concept Note to DFID regarding a funding contribution to the Wharf Improvement Project and a proposal to introduce Human Rights provision within the existing Constitution.
St. HELENA: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORT COVERING THE OCTOBER 2006 MEETING
At the Executive Council meeting held on 31 October 2006, Members discussed a proposed amendment to the Immigrants’ Landholding (Restriction) Ordinance, submission of a Project Concept Note to DFID regarding a funding contribution to the Wharf Improvement Project and a proposal to introduce Human Rights provision within the existing Constitution. Council also considered a set of Briefing Notes prepared to assist Councillor Stedson Francis in his discussions at this year’s Overseas Territories Consultative Council Meeting, which will be held in London later this month.
Following the Executive Council meeting held on 17 October 2006, when there was discussion regarding St Helenian Status for children born after 18 October 1999, a draft Bill proposing an amendment to the Immigrants’ Landholding (Restriction) Ordinance was prepared which would have allowed all persons with St Helenian Status to hold land on St Helena without the need to acquire a Landholding Licence. The draft Bill also proposed a provision for the Governor-in-Council to designate land which would be exempt from the Ordinance, thus allowing flexibility to make land available for investment in accordance with the Tourism and Investment policies. After lengthy debate in which the pros and cons of the draft Bill were discussed it was agreed that further consideration should be given to the wider policy issues regarding immigration control and that the draft Bill should be held in abeyance until this was done.
A Project Concept Note for submission to DFID for funding towards the Wharf Improvement Project received full support from Executive Council. DFID has agreed in principle to allocate funding to the tune of £2m over a 4-year period to enable the full scheme of works planned under the EDF funded project to be completed. The funding will be used for components such as the purchase of cargo handling equipment and related infrastructure.
Members recalled that the issue of Human Rights for St Helena was widely discussed during the period prior to the Consultative Poll regarding a new Constitution for St Helena in May last year. If the result of the Poll had been a ‘yes’ vote, a chapter on Human Rights would have been included in the new Constitution. It was noted that the Legislative Programme for 2006/2007 included provision for a local Ordinance to provide for Human Rights on the island. However, following advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Executive Council agreed that such provision would best be included in our existing Constitution and that this will require an Order in Council to be made by HMG to allow an amendment to the Constitution to proceed. Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha will be consulted about provisions to be included for those Islands.
A set of Briefing Notes prepared to assist Councillor Francis with discussions at the forthcoming OTCC meeting were endorsed by Executive Council. Although the final agenda has not yet been received, discussion topics are likely to include Constitutional Reform, Disaster Management and Child Protection issues.
Office of the Chief Secretary
The Castle
6 November 2006
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