Falklands : Falklands General Purposes Committee Meeting Report (25/04/08)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 29.04.2008 (Article Archived on 13.05.2008)
A meeting of General Purposes Committee took place on Wednesday, 23 April 2008. On Friday, 25 April Dr Andrea Clausen briefed the Media on what happened during the meeting.
GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT (25/04/08)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of General Purposes Committee took place on Wednesday, 23 April 2008. On Friday, 25 April Dr Andrea Clausen briefed the Media on what happened during the meeting.
On the agenda were:
- Letters
- A discussion about how to open up the budget process to the public
- Overseas Trips
- Attendance at C-24 and in Canada
- Fisheries Protection
- Family Allowance
Opening up the Budget Process:
Cllr Clausen began by saying it was a quiet meeting with only five councillors present. Aside from letters, there was a discussion about Standing Finance Committee regarding opening up the budget process. This can’t happen quickly and the trusts and charities involved need to be consulted as they did not have the opportunity to meet the Committee face to face. They can book an appointment, however. This year it is too far in the process to do much about this. Also, there are some areas that cannot be disclosed to the public.
Overseas Trips:
Councillor Clausen, as a representative of the European Overseas Territories has been invited to a forum on Reunion Island, in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. Climate change will be on the agenda. It is important to Cllr Clausen to make sure the Falklands voice is heard on this most important issue. Finance fr the trip is pending.
Remarks on Climate Change:
Cllr Clausen said that climate changes in the Falklands would severely affect the fishery, agriculture and tourism. Data needs to be collated and a related conference The International Union of Conservation and Nature (IUCN) will take place from July 7th to the 11th.
C-24 and Canada:
Cllr Stevens, after attending the C-24 Committee meeting at the UN in New York will attend meetings with Canadian legislators for about a week. This is seen as a valuable contact and it needs to be kept up as Canada provides much support for the Falklands in the international arena.
Letters:
Letters that came in to Councillors after the public meeting were in favour of Keeping BFBS. What Councillors did not say at the Public meeting was that a contract had already been signed. Of the three letters that came in at least one author did not attend the public meeting.
Cllr Clausen felt it was important to stress that Radio – BFBS 1 and 2 and FIRS would also be included in the package. Adding to the service charge will be the cost of purchasing digital TVs and radios if people wished to receive the service. Lead in time could take over a year.
Fishery and Patrol:
Fishery patrols have been regular, using FPV Pharos and aircraft. Cllr Clausen reports there is no poaching in the Zone. The Military has been asked for assistance while we await FPV Protogat.
Research is being done while on patrol and Cllr Clausen says she is sure that Fishery Patrol as it is brings in good value for money.
Loligo licences are to increase by 30% with reductions in Tooth-fish licenses.
Family Allowance:
Cllr Clausen said that Family allowance was frozen for nearly 10 years and the whole process needed to be looked at. There is sympathy with the most needy getting the family allowance but means testing needed to be introduced to implement that kind of a system. Consultation is needed.
|
