St Helena : St Helena EXCO REPORT 38: 1ST SEPTEMBER 2009
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 05.09.2009 (Article Archived on 19.09.2009)
This morning’s meeting of the Executive Council dealt with the usual wide range of issues. The first item on the agenda, introduced by the Acting Chief Secretary, concerned the renewal of the contracts for Public Transport Operators, following a study by the Government Economist and discussions by elected members of the Legislative Council.
EXCO REPORT 38: 1ST SEPTEMBER 2009
This morning’s meeting of the Executive Council dealt with the usual wide range of issues. The first item on the agenda, introduced by the Acting Chief Secretary, concerned the renewal of the contracts for Public Transport Operators, following a study by the Government Economist and discussions by elected members of the Legislative Council.
Members agreed that negotiations should begin with the current operators for a renewal of their contracts. Additional services should be provided from James Town to Longwood and Half Tree Hollow at 10.00 pm on Saturday nights, so that young people and others would be able to return home at a reasonable hour. Other amendments might be made to routes and times during the negotiations with the operators.
There was some discussion about the period of the licenses. Whilst it was agreed that a reasonable period would be necessary to encourage investment by operators and to help to control fares, it was also felt that review might be useful, depending on market conditions, to allow for the possibility of more open competition, in particular in the event of the replacement of home to duty services with an expanded public transport system.
Members then turned to a major piece of employment policy, again introduced by the Acting Chief Secretary. They gave their approval for the drafting of legislation to protect employees from unfair dismissal. Members noted that this important measure was one of a series on which work was at an advanced stage. The detailed provisions, when drafted, will be the subject of further consultation with the general public, employees and employers, including Members of the Chamber of Commerce. The measures would protect employees from being dismissed unfairly, but continue to allow for dismissal in cases (for example) of incapacity, unsatisfactory conduct, redundancy, retirement or other substantial reasons.
Members noted that, in addition to its obvious social benefits, the prospective legislation would be welcomed by investors and overseas employees who regarded the following of good practice in this area as a significant consideration in deciding to come to the Island.
The next item also related to labour issues, and was introduced by the Chairman of the Employment and Social Security Committee. Although the number of registered unemployed persons in St. Helena stands at a low level, there remains a relatively small group of long term unemployed whom better social and vocational skills could bring into the work place and off the benefits system. Members agreed that a structured Community Workfare Training Programme should be introduced for this group, within the existing budget.
There were a number of commercially or otherwise sensitive items discussed under the closed agenda. Under “matters arising”, the Attorney General reported that the Elections Regulations and the Registration of Electors Regulations, along with the accompanying Ordinance, had been enacted today. One of the effects of this was a fresh opportunity to add or remove names from the electoral registers in time for the coming elections to the Legislative Council.
Following the discussion at the previous meeting of the logistical difficulties we faced in sending a representative to this year’s Overseas Territories Consultative Council in London in December, Members noted that it had now been agreed to bring forward the date of the LegCo election to 4th November. Administrative arrangements were in hand. I added that I had relayed to London Members’ preference for a three day session of the Council, rather than the two days currently proposed.
Before concluding the meeting, Members agreed that this was a historic day for the Island, since the new Constitution comes into force. The new Constitution marks a quantum jump forward from its 1988 predecessor, enshrining as it does wide ranging human rights provisions, including the right for Saints to bring human rights cases to the local courts for the first time. It also curtails the powers of the Governor, senior officials and the Administration in a variety of ways, in line with the principles of increased transparency and accountability.
Finally, I thanked Members for their hard work and encouragement during my current period as Acting Governor. The meeting adjourned at 11.45 am.
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