Falklands : Falklands Executive Council Report for January 2009
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 04.02.2009 (Article Archived on 04.03.2009)
The first three papers considered at the January meeting of Executive Council related to Fisheries matters and FIPASS. The first recommended that some amendments to the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2005 and subsequent Fisheries (Aggregation Limits) Regulations 2005 be made.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 29th January 2009
The first three papers considered at the January meeting of Executive Council related to Fisheries matters and FIPASS. The first recommended that some amendments to the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2005 and subsequent Fisheries (Aggregation Limits) Regulations 2005 be made. ExCo approved amendments which will provide clarity to the operation and applicability of aggregation limits (which exist in order to avoid the dominance by a small number of companies in any given fishery). Two specific aggregation limits were amended, the catch entitlement for the Restricted Finfish-Pelagic fishery was raised from 75% to 100% to reflect current practice, and consequently the catch entitlement on the Restricted Finfish fishery was reduced from 75% to 50%. These limits were originally based on the quota management system, but are now related to quota ownership, which provides for much more logical control and management of the fishery.
The second paper proposed a policy for the procurement of commercial fishing vessels for research surveys. As a result of the absence of a dual role fishery protection and research vessel and the current fisheries protection arrangements there is a need to address how essential fisheries research will be addressed. To this end ExCo approved that following the production of a tender document and full specification for research work, a no cost solution from within the quota owning groups is first investigated. If this is unsuccessful then an invitation to tender will be circulated to all quota owners. The evaluation and award of bids is to be on the basis of fulfilment of the tender specification and cost including a 5% price differential (preference) for quota owners.
A request to extend the Agreement for the Provision of Management Services at FISPASS between FIG and Byron McKay Port Services Ltd for a further 2 years was agreed subject to clarification of a couple of the contract terms.
Following the outcome of the tender process for the sale of 5 residential building plots at the Leading Lights, 3 of the plots were not successfully disposed of. Exco therefore agreed that the remaining plots be offered for sale to the 10 unsuccessful bidders from the first tender round, with the bidders been given 3 weeks to submit their revised bids after being notified of the reserve prices set for each plot and the number of prospective bidders remaining in the tender process. Furthermore any plot not successfully disposed of following this second round should be publically advertised for sale by tender, with the reserve price disclosed in the advertisements.
ExCo then considered a paper setting out the policy issues that need addressing in order for legislation to be drafted to establish a Public Accounts Committee, which has been provided for in Section 81 of the new Constitution. A number of areas are raised for consideration such as procedure for appointment, membership and barred posts, timing and longevity, basic procedures, public/private sittings and payment of expenses to members. ExCo approved that these proposals now go to the public for consultation prior to agreeing specific policy points.
A final draft of the proposed Joint Policy Statement on the South Atlantic Airbridge was considered. The present carriage of passengers and freight is regulated by a JPS last revised in 1991. Negotiations for a new JPS have been ongoing since October 2007 between the MOD, FCO, FIG, St Helena and Ascension Island Governments. ExCo approved that the FCO be informed that FIG is content to accept the new JPS with effect from the 1st of April and recommended indicative new seat tariffs to Standing Finance Committee (Duty £1350, Student £650, Group £1775, Economy £1975 and Premium Economy £3585) for consideration. ExCo also agreed to ask Michael Blanch to continue to discuss mutual pricing matters with Ascension Island Government and to ask the Government Secretary to implement necessary administrative arrangements.
Members approved the making of the Offshore Petroleum (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 to accommodate a number of policy issues relating to acreage fees, initial and second exploration terms and the issue of licensing of part blocks which had previously been considered by Executive Council.
As a result of an increasing number of Special Educational Needs in pupils in statutory schooling, a request from the Director of Education for additional Learning Support Assistants was received. Whilst Members recognised that pupils exhibiting SEN require additional support in the classroom, they agreed to approve only one of the three posts requested, and referred the issue to Standing Finance Committee for approval. Members were concerned that this request had come mid way through the academic year and outside of the proper budget process. If there is a case for further LSA posts, Members will consider them during the 2009/10 budget deliberations. As a consequence of discussions on this subject Members requested a review of the existing policy in FICS of splitting each year group regardless of class size.
The next paper to be considered proposed a new management structure for FIG as a result of the review of FIG that has been carried out over the past year. A previous paper considered at the December meeting of Executive Council proposed a number of recommendations which are to form the basis of the changes required to improve the structure and operation of the government. At this month’s meeting Members agreed to the 22 recommendations proposed in the December paper as well as requesting that the proposed structure be reconsidered by the Chief Executive taking into account additional criteria. Firstly, that the new structure be implemented at no extra cost over a three year period and secondly that where possible existing staff be assimilated into the new corporate director posts. A further paper is expected at the next meeting of Executive Council.
A report on Oil Exploration in the Falkland Islands was then considered and adopted by Executive Council. This report is intended to be a reference document which includes background to oil exploration in the Falkland Islands, the possible way forward with further exploration after successful drilling of exploration wells and an analysis of potential risks and mitigation measures. It was also agreed that the Governor should forward the report to the South Atlantic Section of the FCO for information and joint action.
As part of the review and update of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) a consultant from Oil Spill Response made a site visit to the Islands in late 2008 and has subsequently made a number of recommendations regarding additional oil spill equipment and alternative response strategies which might improve our capability. ExCo agreed that the recommendations be consulted upon with all stakeholders and gave approval for the recommendations to be acted upon whilst the NOSCP is finalised. A further paper will come to ExCo in due course to allow any financial implications to be considered.
The Education Department Annual Report and an accompanying summary were received at this month’s meeting. Members agreed that the Education Department could change the format of the report for the next academic year, 2008/09.
Following an increase in reports of alcohol and drug abuse by students from the Falkland Islands attending Further and Higher education courses overseas, the Education Department has proposed a series of sanctions to be used for any future alcohol or drug related incidences. In the first instance students will be disciplined through the policies of the Colleges or Universities concerned. For a second incident, as well as any College or University sanction, Further Education students will have their grant money reduced by 50% for a period of 12 months. Provided there have been no further incidences after a 12 month period the grant shall be instated to the full amount. A third occurrence of abuse will result in complete withdrawal of funding. Higher Education students will have their grant reduced by 30% for a period of 12 months following a second incident, and funding completely withdrawn following a third occurrence. FIG will only fund a voluntary return to the Islands following withdrawal of funding. These new sanctions will apply from February 2009 and will not be applied retrospectively.
Members considered and approved an application from Beauchene Fishing Company Limited to register a motor launch on Part 1 of the Falkland Islands Register of Ships.
Finally ExCo approved the re-appointment of Mr Anton Livermore as a lay member of the Health and Medical Services Committee for a period of three years from 1st February 2009.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 29th January 2009
Addendum
Following a further delay in the completion of a general migrant points system and associated systems, Executive Council agreed to the making of an order which extends the suspension of operation of section 18 of the Immigration Ordinance (which provides for the issue of permanent residence permits) from 1 April for a period of 3 months. Members further agreed that the work necessary to implement a general migrants points system and other appropriate systems be carried out by a civil service group to be led by the Chief Executive.
END
|
