Papers with financial implications discussed at this month’s meeting included several that were referred to the Budget Select Committee for final ratification, whilst several others were approved by Executive Council.

Amongst these it was agreed that in principle full cost recovery will be applied to a TV Licence Fee, but with discounted rates for pensioners and those persons in Sheltered Accommodation and possibly with rebates for those who fall on hard times. As it is likely that the commencement dates for transmission of the new service to Stanley will be different to the Camp, some details still need to be worked through. As an example the Government Secretary will be getting in touch with all Camp subscribers to establish how many satellite dishes are required, but before this happens he is getting advice on the possible option of sharing dishes between more than one household. For Stanley subscribers the annual service charge will be added to the domestic service charge whilst Campers will receive an invoice, on payment of which viewing cards will be issued, or, in subsequent years, revalidated. Other details agreed include that the Fee will be applicable to each household (not the number of TV’s in use in that property); that hotels and guest houses will pay a single Fee; and that the Fee will only apply in second or holiday homes, or shearers quarters, which are occupied for more than six months in any year, not necessarily by the owners. Executive Council was advised that the new service will come into being on 1 July 2008, but has since been advised that the start date envisaged by BFBS has been put back to 1 September 2008.

A paper recommending the abolition of the Holiday Credit Scheme was deferred for further options to be considered, but Executive Council did agree that although the principle of the scheme was not being questioned, the real issue was that of affordability.

Proposals for a School Improvement Plan (SIP) for the Falkland Islands Community School (FICS) were then agreed by Executive Council following a discussion with the Headteacher. One of the principle reasons for the outcome of the last school inspection, a “notice to improve”, was the lack of key structures and systems, and in essence the SIP seeks to address these shortcomings. The proposed management structure includes a number of new responsibility posts which bring more focus to almost every aspect of the school, including curriculum provision, students’ progress and behavioural standards, monitoring of teaching and learning and performance management. It is envisaged that most if not all of these responsibility posts should be filled by existing FICS teachers, although Executive Council made it clear that all appointments should be time-limited, at least in the first instance. The Headteacher advised that an absolutely key part of the Plan is that it is in place by September 2008 at the latest, if the time frame for many of the targets set out as a result of the 2007 inspection report are to be met. He also emphasised that his Task Groups would not find the time to achieve the targets set for them if legislation is not in place allowing Year 11 students to leave school after their last GCSE examination. The Attorney General made it clear that this should be achieved. Executive Council recommended that Standing Finance Committee should agree an additional £62,958 for salaries and wages within the FICS to support the SIP.

The next paper related to tariffs for the Concordia Bay, which Executive Council supported and which has already been reported in detail. The one area not yet determined relates to wool freight rates from the Islands, on which further work was requested in order to ensure that rates are equitable.

Executive Council noted an information paper which determined that it is practical to convert the Old Telephone Exchange Building into Public Toilets, and that the estimated cost for this is £47,000. It was noted that as the building is currently being used to store Police Station furniture and other items whilst the new wing is being built it will be some time yet before a decision can be taken on whether to carry out the conversion or not.

An enquiry by an individual who has enquired about how he can use his Holiday Credit Scheme balance was not accepted as a proper application for funding. The individual concerned was employed by FIG at the time that the HCS scheme was introduced, and was entitled to earn credits only because of his employment with FIG. He has long since left the Falkland Islands, has never possessed Falkland Islands Status and may never acquire it in the future. Executive Council therefore agreed that the chances of him appearing on the Electoral Register at a future date are very remote indeed, and according to the HCS rules he will not therefore be able to access his holiday credits.

An update on progress with compliance related work at Sand Bay Abattoir was then considered, which included revised budget figures for the works currently being undertaken. Due to several new items not being included in the original estimates, overruns on budgeted costings and some amendments to planned work, extra costs will be incurred. Executive Council approved a revised budget of £826,705 for the current compliance works, £75,805 more than the amount originally projected. The remaining work is scheduled to take place from May onwards, and Executive Council approved the allocation of funding by supplementary capital funding of £152,440 for 2007/08, and by meeting the remaining balance of £150,000 from the allocation of £595,000 for Abattoir Improvements inserted in the Draft Capital Programme for 2008/09. However, it was noted that so far this year FIMCo has outperformed its targets, is making good operational progress and is becoming progressively more efficient, and that as a result it is likely to require less than is being asked for.

Executive Council then agreed the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between FIG and Falklands Conservation, and agreed that it should be signed by the Chief Executive. The MoU will run for three years and provided a framework for ongoing support and co-operation between the Parties. It consolidates and builds on a long-term relationship and sets out responsibilities and duties in terms of core funding support by FIG to FC. Furthermore it acknowledges the Parties’ commitment to the protection of the biodiversity of the Islands and its future sustainable management.

Support was then approved by Executive Council for a European-Aid funded project for protected areas management for the South Atlantic Territories, with a major focus on St Helena and the Falkland Islands. If the funding submission to the European Commission is successful, the 20% Falklands input towards it would be as an in-kind contribution through the time of the officers in the Environmental Planning Department. During the 48 month lifespan of this project the focus would be on identification and management of important biodiversity sites including National Nature Reserves, Ramsar sites and Important Bird Areas.

Executive Council then approved the recommendation received from the Historic Building Committee that Gerald Cheek becomes the new lay member on that committee.

A comprehensive paper from the Senior Crown Council reviewing the powers contained in the Land (Non-residents) Ordinance 1999 was then discussed in some detail.  Whilst Executive Council was clear that the provisions of this ordinance were far-reaching, adequate and effective, it did agree to the recommendation that section 5 of the Ordinance be widened by attaching conditions to licences which would remove any ambiguity. It was also agreed that regulations be introduced under section 5(6) enabling the registration of the conditions of licences as land charges under the provisions of the Land Charges Ordinance 1996. This will strengthen the remedies available to the Government in the event that properly imposed licence conditions are breached. Executive Council also noted that there should be no link between immigration requirements and licence conditions of those applying for a licence to hold land. 

Three applications for a licence to hold land were then considered and approved by Executive Council.  The first was from Cantray Limited for the purchase of Smylies Farm; the second was from Jeffery Page-Bailey enabling him to purchase a residential building plot in Stanley; and the last was from John and Gillian Hellowell who have approval to purchase the two Kidney Islands, which are situated in Kelp Bay off the north-west coast of Lively Island. Conditions will apply where necessary.

The penultimate paper informed Executive Council of ongoing legislative drafting requirements and recommended those which should receive priority for completion. The Attorney General advised that these priority items alone will utilise the drafting capacity of his Chambers for the next nine months, and that of the total list of 84 items 35 are outstanding drafting matters. His estimate was that these 35 outstanding items alone would likely take several years to near completion. Executive Council noted these observations and agreed the priority list, which is; Offshore Petroleum Licencing (Amendment) Regulations; Merchant Shipping (Adoption of Legislation) Amendment Order; Education Amendment Bill; Legislation required in connection with EU approval of fishery products and the abattoir; Bills required in consequence of the proposed Constitutional amendment; Smoking in Public Places Bill; and Children and Young Persons (Tobacco) Ordinance 2007.

Finally, Executive Council agreed to the recommendation that Ms Nuala McKay be appointed as Interim Operations Manager for the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, pending the appointment of a substantive Interim General Manager.