Falklands : Falklands Summary of Executive Council Meeting 24th April 2008
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 01.05.2008 (Current Article)
The budget policy paper for 2008/09 was considered this month, as it normally is, and following a number of recommendations, was referred to the Budget Select Committee. An outstanding application for a further fund transfer was also considered and referred to the Budget Select Committee.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 24th April 2008
The budget policy paper for 2008/09 was considered this month, as it normally is, and following a number of recommendations, was referred to the Budget Select Committee. An outstanding application for a further fund transfer was also considered and referred to the Budget Select Committee.
A number of fisheries papers were received this month, two of which were related to ITQ fee matters. The first dealt with an issue arising from a reduction in the Total Allowable Catch of Toothfish, from 1500 mt to 1200mt. This matter had previously been considered by the Fisheries Committee. The paper recommended that any respective reduction in the ITQ fee should be deferred and considered in the third quarter of 2008, even though the reduction in TAC had been made shortly after the ITQ fees had been set for 2008. Executive Council were of the view that this was inconsistent with current policy whereby all fees are set prior to the commencement of the season, and this action would treat the Toothfish fishery in a different manner to all other fisheries. To this end Council decided that the ITQ fee should be adjusted to reflect the fee:revenue ratio that had been set in October 2007 (approximately 15%). This adjustment results in a decrease in revenue of £73,502 in 2007/08 and £147,004 on 2008/09.
The other ITQ fee paper related to the winter Loligo ITQ fees. Following a relatively successful Winter season in 2007 the fee revenue ratio had dropped away from the 10% guideline to around 7%, to this end Executive Council decided to increase the fees by 30% which resulted in an overall ratio of 9.11%. Council noted the comments from the industry in particular regarding increasing costs in consumables such as fuel, and the further contribution that local companies make by way of tax, and have requested that in order that these issues along with several others are properly addressed, a review of the way in which ITQ fees are calculated is undertaken.
A recommendation by the Director of Fisheries and the Fisheries Advisory Committee to make the use of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) mandatory by way of inclusion as a licence condition, was supported by Executive Council. Currently only local fishing vessels and those operating in the Loligo fishery have VMS installed and this enables the Falkland Island Government to fulfil its international obligations, in particular when licensing vessels to fish on the high seas. The extension of VMS to all vessels operating in FI zones will aid both fisheries management and help to deter IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported) fishing. The additional cost of £10,000 per annum will be met from within the Fisheries Department budget.
Executive Council agreed to the sale of Falkland Island Government land on West Falkland known as Long Mountain and Second Arroyo for £14,000 to Mr and Mrs Michael Evans of South Harbour Farm.
Executive Council received a further paper on the Family Allowance Review and have recommended that further work is required before any conclusions on the future of the Allowance can be made.
Following the approval by Executive Council in September 2007 that a number of tax reliefs be made available when trade in ITQ (Individual Transferable Quota) takes place, the Fishing Industry were consulted and a further paper was considered this month. Trade in ITQ is treated as income gains and losses, and under Section 100A of the Taxes Ordinance the income gains or losses arising from the disposal of shares in companies which own ITQ are taxed. Executive Council approved the remittance into Legislative Council of the Taxes (Amendment) Bill 2008 at the May 2008 meeting.
Executive Council approved the investment by Stanley Services Limited into a project to build new office accommodation.
A paper recommending the adoption of a School Improvement Plan for the Infant/Junior School/Camp and a supporting management structure was approved. Whilst the outcome of the recent School Inspection overall was that the IJS is an effective school and that Camp Education is an effective service with many strengths, there were a number of recommendations for improvement. Many of these recommendations were centred around monitoring, evaluation and support for teaching and learning and the leadership structure in the school. Executive Council approved the removal of the Head of Camp Education and the creation of a Deputy Head teacher post in the IJS in August 2007 as a first step in the restructure of the Education Department, preceding the School Inspection. The decision to adopt the proposed management structure along with the School Improvement Plan compliments the proposals made in the Restructure Plan. There will be an additional cost of £9,166 in 2008/09 and £11,000 in 2009/10 which will be met by savings from within the Education Department budget.
Since May 2005 it has been noted that the take up of off-street parking grants has significantly reduced despite there still being a recognised problem with a lack of off-street parking places and congestion in certain areas. Executive Council approved that the scheme be allowed to continue for a further year and that the amount available to an individual applicant be increased from £500 to £750, in order to incentivise take up, but that the total budget remain at £5,000. Council went on to request that a review of traffic flows and danger areas be carried out by the Chief Police Officer with a view to considering parking restrictions if these are considered necessary.
The appointment of Mr Robert French to the Planning and Building Committee as a lay member, for a period of 3 years, was approved.
Executive Council approved that a post of Programmes and Projects Manager – Port Development be established within FIG for a period of up to 5 years. The Government funded post of Port Development Manager has existed for some time within the Falkland Island Development Corporation, but no attempt has been made to fill it. The time has come where there is a very clear requirement to have a suitably qualified and experienced leader for this project in order that the Government is able to make the best possible decisions going forwards. The inability of Government to progress this project has potentially serious consequences for economic development of the Islands. A budget of £100,000 exists within FIDC which will be transferred back to FIG and so this proposal is cost neutral in financial terms.
Two applications for Falkland Island Status were approved.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for April 2008.
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