Falklands : Falklands Public Meeting Report (22/01/08)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 25.01.2008 (Article Archived on 08.02.2008)
A public meeting took place in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 beginning at 1700hrs.
PUBLIC MEETING REPORT (080122)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A public meeting took place in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 beginning at 1700hrs. In attendance was Cllrs. Cockwell. Clausen, Summers, Hansen, Birmingham, Robertson and Stevens. The main topic of discussion was the draft Islands Plan. The power-point presentation included each Councillor taking turns explaining the nine policies that make up the plan including The Right to Self Determination presented by Cllr Mike Summers, Sustainable Economy presented by Cllr Dr Andrea Clausen, Education presented by Cllr Richard Stevens, Transport and Communications presented by Cllr John Birmingham, Health presented by Cllr Janet Robertson, Management of Public Service and Finance presented by Cllr John Birmingham, Camp presented by Cllr Ian Hansen, Environment presented by Cllr John Birmingham and Quality of Life and Community Safety by Cllr Janet Robertson.
In presenting about the Right to Self Determination Cllr Summers said that it was important to increase public awareness in the UK and in South America as well as improving the understanding and communications with the young people who will be instrumental in our Islands’ future. Taking part in the constitutional development process as well as developing a better relationship with the Military rounded out Cllr Summers’ comments.
In her presentation Cllr Dr Clausen said that management of our key industries was key to a sustainable economy. She mentioned that fisheries, hydrocarbons, tourism and agriculture are the key industries and said that the Falkland Islands Tourist board and the Falkland Islands Development Corporation had to deliver if this policy was to be successful.
At this point a member of the public asked if there was a comparison between where we are now in relation to the Islands Plan. Cllr Robertson mentioned that there needed to be targets you can measure against. As the Plan evolved more targets became known so we can now compare in these areas.
Cllr Birmingham mentioned that a huge amount of money would have to be found to maintain our roads. He added that some of the equipment is over 20 years old and a lot of money needed to be found to replace ageing plant. Cllr Summers mentioned Cable & Wireless services as well as the cross sound ferry as instrumental in helping to sustain our economy.
Cllr Robertson presenting on Health said that the goals had changed from just “care for the Unwell” to prevention and sustaining fitness in a healthy society. There are a number of strategic strategies like Alcohol related ones and care for vulnerable people as well as generating ideas in the schools, community and Social Services.
Cllrs Clausen and Summers presented on Management of Public Services and finance. Cllr Summers pointed out that at the moment Government’s income was static and the Plan says there is a requirement to improve on income. He said that one way was to let the private sector prosper so income could be earned from taxes. He also said it was important to deliver effective public services as well as looking for private contractors and suppliers whenever possible. Procurement by the private sector could be monitored by PWD.
Cllr Hansen presented on Camp and said it was important to get the Falklands certified as an organic producer. A rural development strategy was also being produced and agriculture, tourism and other small businesses were being targeted in the strategy.
A member of the public asked if Camp would be sustainable by 2009 and Cllr Hansen said that subsidies for pasture improvement would be around for a long time as they were key in helping farmers to prosper. The member said that perhaps this should have been published in the draft but Cllr Dr Clausen said that the priority was getting the plan out but this would be considered in a year when the plan was reviewed.
Cllr Birmingham presenting on the environment handed the floor to Cllr Summers who posed the question “Is the priority we have economic or environmental. Cllr Dr Clausen picked up the point that successful management of fish stocks meant a profit for the economy and that if we didn’t manage the fish and the land we would have nothing to show for it. Cllr Robertson mentioned that we would have no tourism either.
The Hon Mr Lewis Clifton asked whether the rural roads were ruining the environment and he said the Environmental Planning Department seemed to be more interested in invasive species than protecting the Camp near the roads. Cllr Summers alluded to management plans put in place for the road system. Gypsy cove now had a road. Before, there were several points of access, which was worse for the environment. Now there was only one access road. Now there was management pressure concerning Cape Pembroke and there needs to be a balance like the one that was struck on the Murrel Road. Cllr Dr Clausen mentioned that there were ways and means for managing these areas. Cllr Cockwell mentioned that the Environmental Planning Department takes the management of the environment in Camp very seriously. A member of the public brought out the fact that some Government money went to projects on private land and wondered who got the benefit. Cllr Clausen mentioned that there were ways of making sure there was public benefit from these areas. Charging for entry was one method that might work.
Cllr Summers mentioned the policy also includes effective waste management. Policies needed to be updated. Mr. Clifton mentioned savings from the wind farm. Cllr Summers mentioned that PWD were active in realising savings and storing some of the power generated.
Cllr Robertson presented on Quality of Life in the Community. First up was a plea from Cllr Birmingham for first time home-buyers, not to have the prices so high they can’t afford them.
Cllr Dr. Clausen mentioned that Customs and Immigration were putting more user friendly policies in place that would respond to the needs of society. Mr Clifton mentioned that there needed to be a hard look at the facilities at MPA as they were not big enough and not very comfortable.
There was a general discussion on whether the Islands Plan should be debated in the Budget session and Councillors general feelings were that it was a work in progress and it wasn’t wise to confuse people with facts that might change. Cllr Summers said it was worth having a think about it. Portfolio holders could comment on their part of the plan but this would have to be discussed further.
Cllr Robertson said it was uncertain what affect oil income would have on the Islands Plan but it was two to three years from now. It bears thinking about now.
The only item that was not related to the Islands Plan was a comment from Gerald Cheek who asked if the tower at the Stanley airport couldn’t be made taller instead of the runway works now scheduled. Apparently Government were not willing to spend the £150 to 160,000.00 needed to do this and the runway seemed to be the best option. ASSI appeared to be happy with the plans in place. The decision was made by Executive Council.
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