Falklands : Falklands General Purposes Committee Report 020209
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 06.02.2009 (Article Archived on 13.03.2009)
Find out what happened during this vital committee meeting
GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE REPORT 02/02/09
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the General Purposes Committee took place at Gilbert House on Wednesday, 28 January 2009. On Monday, 02 February 2009 Cllr Mike Summers briefed the media on what happened at the meeting.
The agenda included items like Freight to the West, Confirmed Overseas Obligations, The Outcome of the Endurance Episode, FIGAS Trials and Figures and the Future of the Historic Buildings Committee.
Also this month Councillors met with Admiral Stephen Dolton, Dr Phil Richards of British Geological Survey and the Prisons and Police advisors.
HMS ENDURANCE
Cllr Summers started off by saying that there was uncertainty and a lack of firm recommendations from HMG with regard to HMS Endurance but it has been said by the MOD that the Endurance will be repaired and put back into service in the Antarctic and the Falklands but there has been no official announcement yet but H E the Governor has been asked to see about having one so that the Falklands can respond in a positive manner.
The Endurance was due for a re-fit at the end of this season and there was always the possibility that she would not be back next season. However, it is understood that another ship will take her place.
FREIGHT TO THE WEST
Freight to the West is still containerised to Fox Bay Village. It is Government’s wish not to get involved in the consolidation service but there have been difficulties in getting someone to take up the work on a private basis. It is thought that the reason people are reluctant to take up this business opportunity is a natural resistance to change. Hopefully this will change.
OVERSEAS OBLIGATIONS
Councillors will be attending the C-24 UN meeting in New York, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in Denver Colorado, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting in London. Councillor Summers said he was going to attend the Stanley Services Board meeting in London so he would also attend the CPA meeting. Councillor Hansen will attend the AAPG meeting in Denver but FIG will only pay for the flights, hotel and food but will not provide a ‘per deum’ payment. Cllr Hansen has agreed to this. Richard Stevens will attend the C-24 but Cllr Hansen could also attend if it is logistically possible.
FIGAS
The General Manager of FIGAS presented figures that showed a reduction in pilot hours and costs as well as generic hours. In the round the figures look good but Councillors recommended they should be given to the treasury to peruse before they are made public. The issue is how to communicate these figures to the public in a helpful way.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
GPC looked to the future of the Historic Buildings Committee as Jane Cameron, who headed the Committee since it was founded, wants to give up her position. As Richard Cockwell is a member of the Committee he raised the question about the future of this vital committee. At this moment there is a plea for new leadership in the committee.
BGS
Dr Phil Richards and his colleague, Bob Gatliffe visited the Falklands in January but this was low-key. They will be back in May for the Operators’ meeting.
POLICE VISITORS
Mr Keith Muns a police and prisons advisor is in the Falklands at the moment to advise the Police Department.
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