The first meeting of the newly elected Legislative Council for Ascension Island took place at the Obsidian Hotel on the evening of Thursday, 07 November 2002. Present at this brief meeting were all seven elected Councillors, the Administrator and the Financial Secretary. There was only one item on the agenda and that was to swear in the members of Council and to read messages of congratulations from Baroness Amos and David Hollamby, the Governor of St. Helena.

Notes of the Island Council Meeting on 7th November 2002

The First Meeting of the Island Council took place on Thursday 7th November 2002 at the Obsidian Hotel, starting at 6.00pm.

The new Councillors were sworn into office and a message of welcome from Baroness Amos, Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for the Overseas Territories was read to the meeting:

"I wanted to send my congratulations to you following your election as Councillors to the first Island Council on Ascension Island. I am pleased that island residents have been actively involved in the move to democratic representation, which led to the vote on 1st November. This is an historic step for the island. You will play an important role in shaping the future of Ascension Island. I hope that Councillors will work in close partnership with the Governor and the Administrator for the benefit of the island.

Valerie Amos"

In addition a letter was received by the Administrator from His Excellency the Governor David Hollamby, the text of which was also presented to the meeting. It ran as follows:

Mr Andrew Kettlewell, Administrator Ascension Island

Dear Andrew

1. I would like to congratulate all newly elected members of the Island Council of Ascension Island. The result is an interesting mix of Saint Helenians and other expatriates serving as Councillors.

2. At one time it looked as though we would not get a good cross section of people to stand in the elections. I am pleased that in the end we has twelve candidates and I am most grateful to you for encouraging people to come forward to serve on the Island Council and for conducting a free and fair election. I look forward to working with the Island Council for the development of Ascension Island, which I believe has a bright future. At the same time we should develop arrangements to enable issues of mutual interest on both Ascension Island and St Helena to be discussed for the long term benefit of both islands, such as a Joint Consultative Forum.

Yours Sincerely

David J Hollamby

Governor

The next meeting of Council will be on the evening of Thursday, 05 December 2002.

There being no other business the meeting was closed at 6.40 pm