Falklands : Falklands Executive Council Meetong 26 June 2008
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 02.07.2008 (Article Archived on 16.07.2008)
A meeting of Executive Council took place on Thursday, 26 June 2008.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 26th June 2008
The first paper to be considered this month sought approval for the write-off of uncollectible revenue. Executive Council approved the write-off of irrecoverable revenue totalling £11,609.15. An internal virement shall be made within the Treasury to ensure that correct budgetary provision is in place. Council also approved an increase in delegated authority given to the Financial Secretary for write-offs from £100 to £1,000 with immediate effect in line with revised Financial Instructions.
A paper on the disbursement of Holiday Credits was then considered. During the deliberations of the 2008/09 Budget it was agreed that the Holiday Credit Scheme would be suspended with effect of the 1st July 2008 and that credit balances could be drawn down over the next three financial years. It was also agreed that entitled persons could draw down their credit balances in cash, but that their would be a 50% forfeit if this option was chosen. As a result of these decisions a number of matters sought further clarification. To this end Executive Council agreed that;
a) HCS balances could continue to be drawn down using the existing system;
b) HCS balances may only be drawn down in cash at the rate of 50% of the accrued balance, net of any debts owed to Government;
c) That parents or guardians may only draw down HCS balances of their children when under the age of 16 years for travel and related activities and for the clearance of debts to government as explained above;
d) Where the children are 16 years or older (but under 18 years) their credits may only be disbursed with their agreement and on the basis of signed authorisation which has been countersigned by the parent or guardian;
e) HCS balances of people who cease to qualify forfeit their balances by virtue of their overseas residency. Someone who currently resides overseas who returns to the Islands and whose name is included on the Electoral register prior to 30 June 2011 will be able to utilise their credits;
f) The frozen HSC balances of anyone who owes debts to Government may be utilised at 50% of their value (same basis as cash drawdown) as a contribution towards the clearance of the outstanding debts and the persons affected informed accordingly.
A review of the Further and Higher Education policies regarding the long-term affordability of an ever increasing budget was initiated over four years ago. During the 2008/09 Budget a number of options aimed at reducing the overall cost of providing FE and HE were proposed, however, Members felt that these proposals required further consideration and that as part of this process the public should be consulted. Aside from areas relating directly to cost a number of other policy matters required further direction. In January 2007 Executive Council approved revised eligibility criteria for FIG sponsorship and outstanding areas were considered at this months meeting of Executive Council. Fifteen amendments to the current FE and HE policies were approved and these will come into effect for students who are seeking FIG sponsorship in 2009/10. The only policy point not to be accepted for both FE and HE students was the payment by the Education Department of RPC during GAP years. Council were advised by the Financial Secretary that the omission of such payments for a period of one or two years will not affect the status of pension entitlement upon retirement.
Council then considered a proposal to implement an Entry to Employment Scheme which is targeted at young people making the transition from statutory schooling into the workplace. The proposal for a one year pilot project was approved. This Scheme is to be operated by the Training Department and the total cost of £8,000 is to be met from the Training Department budget.
A proposal for a second phase to the Sand Bay Wind Farm was considered and approved with a recommendation to the Standing Finance Committee that the potential additional funding of £500,000 be added to the capital works programme. The project entails the purchase of a further 3 turbines and 2 flywheel energy storage units with a payback time of around 7 years, although increasing fuel prices could reduce this period. It is anticipated that the project will be completed during the 2009/10 financial year. Phase one of the Wind Farm has been highly successful with an average fuel displacement of 20% to date. Displacement of up to 23% is anticipated for the 2008/09. The impact of Phase 1 of the project resulted in Government being able to increase electricity prices to a lesser extent than would have been the case in the absence of the wind farm, 2p rather than 5p for 2008/09, as well as enabling it to contribute significantly to meeting a number of National and International environmental targets.
A Biodiversity Strategy for the Falkland Islands was received and noted by Council. It was felt that the strategy needed to be considered by the Environmental Committee prior to it being released for public consultation, after which Executive Council would consider whether or not to adopt the Strategy.
A paper proposing the way forward for housing development on a couple of areas of Government owned land was considered. Council approved the release for tender of a number of plots in the area known as the Leading Lights subsequent to the re-deployment of the lights themselves. The tenders will be for a mix of single and multiple sites and will have a reserve price in line with the current housing strategy. Further work on plans for the area known as the Mink Park was also approved. Finally Council recommended to the Lands Committee that the housing list for serviced plots be terminated. This recommendation has come in light of the adoption of the new housing strategy whereby FIG will not be providing housing plots on the same basis as those provided of the previous East Stanley Development.
A planning appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of two houses at Speedwell Paddock was not upheld.
An application to purchase a plot of unserviced land by Mr & Mrs Karl Harris was approved. The plot of 740 square metres is situated at the east end of Haskard Rise and was sold for £18,500. Council noted that they remain open to rewarding initiative from individuals who are prepared to make a case for such purchases. A similar case was considered and approved for a plot at Snake Hill several months ago.
Council approved a request that the Governor recognise the Services Sound and Vision Corporation as a charity for the purposes of section 57B(2) of the Taxes Ordinance 1997. This approval allows the addition of SSVC to the list of UK Charities which are recognised by the Falkland Islands for tax purposes thereby allowing individuals to claim tax relief for donations to this charity.
A review of Employment Law issues has been identified for attention since November 2004. The Attorney General has now identified areas of the existing Employment Law that are in need of review. However many of these areas have the potential to have significant impacts upon a number of areas of our society and economy and so it has been recommended that policy advice in relation to the review should be sought from the Head of Policy and that this advice should analyse the case for change based on a number of countries other than just the UK. Executive Council approved the recommendation and accepted a revised date of January 2009 for the submission of the policy analysis.
A report on Falkland Island aerodromes by an independent advisor to ASSI has recommended that survey and development works on a number of our camp air strips is required in order for them to be serviced by our FIGAS operation. A paper requesting funding to carry out an initial onsite inspection to assess the nature and cost implications of any such development was considered and approved. Five airstrips have been selected in order of priority. Following these initial assessments Council will consider the best way forward. Council recommended that a total of £6,560 be considered by Standing Finance Committee to cover the costs of British International flights for the inspection teams to visit 3 of the 5 islands that can currently not be accessed by FIGAS.
In Any Other Business Council considered an urgent request from the Attorney General to recommend to Standing Finance Committee that up to £10,000 expenditure be incurred by the Registrar General to permit an inquiry into the financial condition of the Co-op. It is anticipated that some if not all of this expenditure will be recovered in due course.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for June 2008.
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