Falklands : Executive Council Meeting 24 January 2008
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 30.01.2008 (Article Archived on 13.02.2008)
A meeting of Executive Council took place at Government House on 24 January 2008
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 24th January 2008
A number of papers considered at the January meeting contained applications for funding support for trusts and charities. These were all referred to the Budget Select Committee.
An application for the provision of funding for biodiversity monitoring for Falklands Conservation for the 2007/08 season was not supported. This application was made as a result of the reduction in funding for the 2007/08 financial year.
Executive Council agreed to the revised budget estimate of £1,010,000 for the refurbishment of the police station. All of the funding required apart from £160,000 is already included in the capital works programme. This revised total was referred to Standing Finance Committee who approved that this should be considered within the capital works estimates during Budget Select Committee.
A substantive paper on the progress towards the Department of Agriculture’s Ten Year Plan objectives by the out-going Senior Agricultural Advisor, Neil Judd was considered. The DoA business plan was drafted in 2002/03 and targets within it were very closely tied to the statistics that are provided annually by way of stock returns. These targets did not accurately reflect the economic possibilities that might exist following the establishment of an EU approved meat processing plant, nor did they accurately reflect external market conditions. Executive Council approved the ten objectives laid down within the revised plan which more accurately reflects the potential of farming in the Falkland Islands today. Members noted that whilst it is not possible for the DoA to be entirely responsible for delivering targets on a national level for agriculture, they must nevertheless report on the national position. In order to more accurately assess the direct impact of DoA advice, it was suggested that summaries of performance of agricultural businesses that actively utilise DoA advice should also be provided. Members also noted that whilst these objectives and targets provide an appropriate “revised” position, they need to be reviewed from time to time.
As a result of the ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) in 2004, the Falkland Islands is obliged to protect the breeding and foraging ranges of listed species. Following an international workshop which was hosted by Falklands Conservation a detailed programme of action required was compiled. Executive Council considered a review of the actions carried out in 2006/07 and noted the priority areas for 2008/09.
The World Health Organisation recently adopted a number of changes to the International Health Regulations which will result in some changes to how Ship Sanitation Inspections are carried out in member states. In order to implement these changes in the Falkland Islands there is a need to provide enabling legislation so that the appropriate inspections can be carried out. Members agreed that in order to establish an inspection protocol for the Falkland Islands to follow, that representatives from the Board of Health should attend the Health Protection Agency Conference, and requested that Standing Finance Committee consider approving an additional £4,500 to cover the costs of two attendees.
The report of the Working Group on Humane and Safe Working Conditions on Fishing Vessels was again considered by Executive Council in light of the comments received by the fishing industry. Members noted comments submitted, which were generally supportive of the report, and subsequently approved the implementation of Working Group report and noted that the implementation of the report and its recommendations are monitored by the Fisheries Advisory Committee. One of the key recommendations within the report is that a Code of Practice/Checklist is implemented. This code ensures that basic safety equipment is checked; that the crew know where the gear is and can use it; it raises awareness of the issue with the captain, owner and local partner; checks conditions for local observers and gives FIG officials the opportunity to see all the crew and for the crew to see FIG officials.
The final report from the Working Group on the possible legal prohibition of smoking in public places was considered and a number of policy directions were made against the original Terms of Reference:
1) a legal prohibition of smoking in public places should be made;
2) this prohibition should not include all or any public places in the open air;
3) that the definition of an enclosed public place that is comprehensive, and from which there should be minimal exceptions;
4) that the prohibition should not be restricted to only those where food is served;
5) an exemption from prohibition may be made for premises that are ownedoperated by clubs and associations, providing that members vote by a two thirds majority in favour of an exemption and that there are no paid employees;
6) a legal prohibition will be extended to working places that are not public places that is comprehensive, and from which there should be minimal exceptions;
7) an exemption from prohibition shall be made for shearing sheds, garages and warehouses;
8) an exemption from prohibition will be made for sheltered housing (which comes under the definition of enclosed workplace under definition);
9) a legal prohibition shall be extended to all health premises including any existing smoking room;
10) a legal prohibition will include vehicles that are utilised for fare paying passengers such as taxis, private hire vehicles or any other public service vehicle;
11) an exemption from prohibition will be made to all ships;
12) a legal prohibition will include all aircraft;
13) a proposal to increase duty on the importation of tobacco, which shall at least cover the cost of cessation support and enforcement, was referred to the Budget Select Committee;
14) free smoking cessation aids will be provided;
15) cessation support/clinics will be provided by way of an additional member of staff within the medical department;
16) DARE programme will be introduced into the Community school;
The only outstanding area for further consideration is that of enforcement, Executive Council have requested that further work be carried out so that a comprehensive system is in place prior to any bill coming before Executive Council.
Following two rounds of public consultation and policy direction the final draft of the Road Traffic Bill 2008 came before Executive Council. Members approved that the Bill and the accompanying explanatory memorandum be published and the Bill submitted to Legislative Council in July 2008.
The Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2005 provides for a fisheries committee and for the establishment of a fishing association but it does not make it explicit that the association will provide representation to the Fisheries Committee. As a result of the recent establishment of the Falkland Islands Fishing Company Association (FIFCA) Executive Council have approved that the Falkland Islands Fishing Company Association (FIFCA) be responsible for providing industry representation (4 members) on the Fisheries Advisory Committee and that the procedure for selecting alternate or substitute industry representatives be continued.
An application for a licence to hold land by Dr’s Michael and Penny Blanch was approved to enable the applicants to purchase a dwelling house in camp.
Under the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2005 any applicant for ITQ or PQ must have the name of the company listed on the relevant eligibility register which must be maintained by way of an annual renewal. In order to renew registration a company must submit a number of documents. A significant number of companies have more than one renewal date according to when they joined the register. In order to simplify the renewal process and provide for a single renewal date Executive Council approved the making of the Fisheries (Eligibility Renewal Applications) Order 2008 and that it enter into force upon publication.
Immigration (Permit Applications) Regulations 2007, which were proposed to Executive Council in October 2007, provided for a general requirement for all persons 16 years and over, when applying for a visitor, work, residence, or permanent work permit to provide a police or similar certificate. It was noted that there was no requirement for any criminal convictions of children under 16 years old to be declared. Members felt that this provided an unnecessary deficiency in our system and so approved that on any immigration application the applicant shall be required to declare all criminal convictions in respect of any person who is under the age of 16 years who is included in the application and that we reserve the right to ask for a Police certificate.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for January 2008.
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