Falklands : PUBLIC MEETING REPORT (27/01/09)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 30.01.2009 (Article Archived on 06.03.2009)
A public meeting was held in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall at 1700hrs on Tuesday, 27 January 2009. Present were Cllrs Clausen, Birmingham, Cockwell, Hansen, Summers, Rendell, Robertson and Stevens.
PUBLIC MEETING REPORT (27/01/09)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A public meeting was held in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall at 1700hrs on Tuesday, 27 January 2009. Present were Cllrs Clausen, Birmingham, Cockwell, Hansen, Summers, Rendell, Robertson and Stevens.
First on the agenda was a question from Roger Spink about the environmental impact of the Ocean 8 Sinking. An environmental report showed limited oiling on birds but the true impact on bird populations will be known when the penguin census is carried out next year. Due to the once every two years count, that census will be linked back to the oil spill.
Mr Spink asked what FIG were doing to help rectify the problem and Cllr Birmingham said that money for the environmental assessment was provided by FIG. Mr Spink went on to say there were too many variables and it could produce a generation where there were no breeding populations such as Rockhopper, Genoa and Majallanic in the area.
Willie Bowles mentioned that the Town Hall was well appointed and that it was under used. The price was high and it could be that it would be priced out of existence. Cllr Birmingham agreed but said the FIDF Hall had better access for elderly and disabled and was all on the flat. It is possible that the price of the Town Hall could be brought down but Cllr Summers said it would be discussed at the next budget round.
Next was a lengthy discussion about the FIGAS shuttle service. Cllr Hansen said it was never a real shuttle service. Cllr Birmingham said that the new system was being trialled. Combined shuttles at times were the norm due to convenience and cost-effectiveness. Cllr Hansen said that the service needed to be flexible. This flexibility and trial was brought up at EXCO. Mr Spink asked what exactly is being trialled. Cllr Clausen said that it was not a complete shuttle service and Cllr Robertson said that flights were combined from time to time depending on what makes more sense on the day. Cllr Summers mentioned that there were reduced pilot and to help increase revenue. Some temporary figures were being gathered and assessed to see what kind of revenue increase the shuttle service generates.
Gerald Cheek mentioned the number of fishery patrol flights being reduced from twice a week to twice a month and Cllr Summers said it was not cost effective to keep up the patrols if there were no need and if flying less would reduce fuel use and consumption. Gerald Cheek then asked about the demand for fishing licences and Cllr Cockwell said there was a different way of issuing licences and that vessels fished on the high seas and came into the harbour when they were ready to pick them up rather than all at once. Cllr Summers said that 50 licences (presumably for Illex) had been issued and deposits were coming in. Cllr Robertson agreed that less licences were available.
Tim Miller asked about bio-security and Cllr Hansen said that the Department of Agriculture will release a document in due course and the policy should be completely in place within the next three months. Cllr Summers said the concern would be raised at the next EXCO meeting.
Tim Miller than asked if a flag pole could be put at the public jetty so that the 200 to 500 Argentines coming to the Islands on cruise ships could see the Union or Falklands flag flying and Cllr Birmingham said it was a wonderful idea that needed planning permission.
Willie Bowles asked about the fate of the Jhellum and Cllr Summers said that dismantling began on Tuesday, 27 January. Usable wood would be available to the public.
Roger Spink asked if flow charts used in the Interim Financial Plan would be available to the public and he went on to ask if Councillors were committed to the plan.
Tim Thorogood said that the information would be available to the public and it was in the advanced stages of preparation and would be considered at the next FIDC Board Meeting. Cllr Summers mentioned that it was better to take time with the document and get it right than to prepare it speedily. The mid-term financial plan still exists and will be incorporated with the work that is now being done.
Cllr Summers mentioned that the collapse of the world economy had a negative affect on our own. Roger Spink asked if this would mean reducing expenditure. Cllr Summers concerned that there would be a deficit of £1.4Million.
Willie Bowles asked if there was a plan for the old printing office and Cllr Birmingham said there were several options open. It could be an add-on for the secretariat or to the Hospital. Some people want to dismantle it and have a new build – it may be cheaper.
Roger Spink asked about the new air-bridge fares and Cllr Summers said EXCO had reluctantly agreed the fares that previously have been published. There would be no reduction for children and/or students and this means that affective on 01 April the fare for tourists and business people will be £1350.00. Prices will be reviewed again on 01 June. Cllr Summers said that the Treasury is running the fare structure and prices and there is little that can be done about it. The appropriate people had been approached and were sympathetic but there was no action from them on our behalf. Cllr Birmingham said it was not just a civilian matter and that some Military personnel who are due to fly out don’t know when due to schedules not being available. Cllr Summers added that it was also disappointing that Ascension and St Helena passengers had the same problems that Falkland Islanders do in obtaining flights.
On another matter associated with airports there was a grumble that Antarctic aerodromes had a different classification – not a commercial one - than the one at the Falklands. Cllr Summers said that the matter had been raised and that he couldn’t find support for the Falklands on this matter at any level of the FCO.
This has also been raised by Cllr Summers at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. It seems that the Falklands are paying for the care and attention paid to other Overseas Territories’ airports. Cllr Cockwell reaffirmed that all the people that should be lobbied on this have been lobbied.
Finally, Gerald Cheek mentioned that a drill ship was in Falklands waters. Cllr Hansen said it was doing a sight and seismic survey and Cllr Clausen mentioned they drilled 3 holes at 300 metres deep. Cllr Summers said that BHP Billiton were very low key about it. Two representatives from the industry would be in the Falklands in due course and more could be known then.
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