Falklands : Executive Council Report for January 2007
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 31.01.2007 (Article Archived on 14.02.2007)
Find out what happened during this important council meeting.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 25th January 2007
A range of papers covering fiscal, planning, legal and immigration issues were discussed this month at Executive Council.
A proposal seeking funding for the Falkland Islands Government to provide a message of support for the 25th Anniversary Commemorative publication was approved and referred to Standing Finance Committee. The funding required amounts to £14,950 for a double page spread (which can incorporate a full-page colour advertisement, together with a full-page editorial message) or £9,950 for a single page advertisement. Members felt that this was a wholly worthwhile and an appropriate publication to support.
The future use of Police Cottages was then discussed. It was initially intended that these cottages could be sold with conditions relating to their status as listed buildings, however following an unsuccessful tender process a decision to retain these properties was made and consideration given to their conversion into sheltered accommodation. For a number of reasons conversion to sheltered accommodation units has been deemed impractical and so Members have agreed that Police Cottages would be retained and rented as social housing accommodation, including where this is possible sheltered housing needs cases. Members further agreed to reserve the area of land to the south of Police Cottages, currently used as communal space and partially occupied by peat sheds, for sheltered housing development at an appropriate stage. The funds required to carry out the upgrade and refurbishment of number 3 and 4 Police Cottages are to be included in the Capital Budget for 2007/08.
A proposal to adopt the Dockyard Development Brief as Supplementary Planning guidance was considered and accepted but with the some additional requests. Firstly that the overall custody of this project be considered by the Falkland Island Development Board, and that FIDC lead a multidisciplinary team (including Museum & National Trust, FITB, Chamber of Commerce etc..) to investigate the prospects of commercial sponsorship and take this project forward. Members recognise that the Museum and National Trust will be principle tenants of this site, but felt that it now needed to be led by our development agency. Members also requested that the possibility of dockside flats was considered in the overall development plan.
Members then approved the proposal to make a General Development (Amendment) Order 2006. The purpose of these amendments is to allow domestic users to erect radio and television aerials adhering to relevant criteria without having to apply for planning permission. These amendments will not apply to listed buildings, to properties affected by Article 5 Directions, to buildings in multiple occupancy (e.g. flats) or to commercial or other non-residential premises. Occupiers of these premises will still be able to erect a television or radio aerial provided they apply and are granted planning permission.
Members went on to consider and approve the delegation of power to the Lands Committee to determine future applications for Licences to Hold Land from persons with Falkland Island Status resident overseas in accordance with established policy previously approved by Executive Council.
Two further papers from the Attorney General’s Chambers were also considered and approved. Firstly Members approved the making of the Registration of Charities (Exemption) Order (2007), which will exempt from requirement to register as a charity during 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008 the ten charitable funds operated by Government officers in the course of their employment, pending the drafting of the Health, Social and Education Charitable Trusts Bill. Those charities exempted include the KEMH Fund, KEMH Day Centre Fund, KEMH Colonic Cancer Screener Fund; KEMH Eye Care Fund, Flying Santa Appeal, FISC Donations Account, IJS Donations Account, Camp Education Donations Account, Stanley Hostel Donations Account and the DARE Group Fund.
Members noted that the responsibility for implementing the duties of the post of Registrar of Co-operative Societies has reverted from the Attorney General’s Chambers to Registry. This responsibility has been with the Attorney General’s Chambers since 1999, but the increased workload on that department has seen this role come under pressure. It was considered sensible for this role to revert to the Registrar General who has both the manpower and the procedures in place to carry out this task and can make these files available for public inspection.
Executive Council went on to consider future government strategy in respect of housing provision. Members approved that the construction industry, land owners and potential developers now be consulted on the proposed housing strategy and that a further report be submitted to the March meeting of Executive Council on the outcome of the consultation process. A number of specific proposals are made in the strategy, for example: serviced plots will continue to be provided for private sector development on a subsidised basis, and that the level of infrastructure subsidy be formula based; the same level of subsidy will be available to private sector developers for infrastructure on land in private ownership; there will be provision for subsidy claw-back in all cases; FIG will develop and operate a shared equity mortgage scheme for first time buyers; a list of people seeking to purchase plots will be maintained by FIG but the Lands Committee will be able to recommend that some plots be advertised fro sale by open tender on a selected basis. A number of other proposals are also included.
A number of staffing proposals were also considered by Executive Council and referred to the Budget Select Committee. A progress report on the Restructuring of the Education Department was referred to the Education Board for consideration. A progress report on Further and Higher Education Funding was also discussed and Members approved a widening of the terms of reference of the Eligibility Assessment Board as well as a revision of the existing policy to encompass new factors (e.g. the provision of Home Fees in English Universities for Falkland Island students). A further paper will be considered by Executive Council in time for the implementation in September 2007.
Members considered and approved a moratorium on the issue of Permanent Residence Permits by order suspending the operation of section 18 of the Immigration Ordinance 1999. This moratorium will allow time for the completion of the immigration points system and related legislation whilst protecting the interests of the Falkland Islands from harm, or potential harm, caused by the continued issue of Permanent Residence Permits in the absence of a clear and appropriate policy regulating their issue. Members also approved that the proposed order include an exemption from its effects in relation to any Permanent Residence Permit already lodged and the fee paid by 25 January 2007 so that those applications may be processed and a Permit issued, if appropriate in the normal manner. Elected Members have wished to introduce a moratorium on the receipt and consideration of Permanent Residence Permits for some time, for a number of reasons. These include: the recent reduced income in the fisheries sector along with it’s continued volatility; concern about the availability and future availability of jobs in the economy at a level that would be attractive to local residents and returning students, for example administrative and clerical jobs (although there is a need for research into the job market and the level of unemployment); existing immigration systems have not adapted fast enough over time and do not provide effective controls over permanent immigration; it is Member’s desire to replace the Permanent Residence Permit as soon as possible with an Extended Residence Permit to ensure that Commonwealth citizens apply for Falkland Island Status under the provisions of the Ordinance 1998 before they acquire Status by being naturalised as a British Overseas Territories Citizen under the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981.
Finally, Executive Council approved that Friday 15th June 2007 be declared a public holiday. Members took into account the fact that members of the private sector who were consulted were of mixed views, but were also aware that the consultation was not as widespread as had been requested.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for January 2007.
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