St Helena : St. Helena Legislative Council to Meet
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 24.01.2007 (Article Archived on 07.02.2007)
Legislative Council will meet on Monday 29 January 2007 to discuss a number of issues. This will be Council’s first formal meeting for 2007.
Press Release
Legislative Council to Meet
Legislative Council will meet on Monday 29 January 2007 to discuss a number of issues. This will be Council’s first formal meeting for 2007.
The meeting is to take place at the Court House in Jamestown commencing at 10am.
In addition to various questions and motions, Council will deal with three pieces of draft legislation, which have been prepared by Attorney General, Ken Baddon in consultation with relevant SHG Departments. This legislation has already been out to public consultation and, if agreed, will become law.
The Public Health (Amendment) (Revision of Penalties) Bill, 2007 proposes to increase a number of the Public Health fines that are currently in existence. This proposal has come about because it is felt that current fines (which have not been revised for many years) provide no effective deterrent. The Bill will be moved by Councillor Drabble, Chairman of the Public Health & Social Services Committee.
The Trade Licensing Repeal Bill, 2007 proposes to abolish the Trade Licensing Ordinance, which was originally introduced as a taxation measure, rather than as a means of regulating businesses, but raises only about as much in revenue as it costs to administer. Persons would however have to register with the Income Tax Office for tax purposes, and continue to comply (as they do now) with other laws such as public health, development control, and fire precautions. This change is being proposed so as to take away the administrative requirement for certain local businesses (it does not apply to immigrants who obtain a Work Permit) to obtain a Trade Licence because it has been found to discourage private enterprise while delivering no tangible benefit to the Island. The Bill will be moved by Financial Secretary Linda Clemett.
The Registered Land (Amendment) Bill, 2007, proposes a number of amendments to the current Ordinance and should allow for the system to be administered more efficiently with the use of modern computer technology. This Bill will be moved by the Attorney General.
The meeting is likely to last for two days and Radio St Helena will provide live broadcast.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
24 January 2007
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