Ascension : Island Council Ordinance Suspended
Submitted by The Islander (Juanita Brock) 26.04.2007 (Article Archived on 10.05.2007)
Governor Clancy has decided that suspending the Island Council Ordinance is the way forward in governing Ascension Island during the next 12 months.
Press Release
NEXT STEPS FOR CONTINUANCE OF GOVERANCE ON ASCENSION ISLAND
Against the background that there have been insufficient nominations for a General Election on Ascension Island and for the formation of an Island Council to advise him, the Governor, Michael Clancy has set out how he sees the way ahead for the next 12 months.
He said “My starting point is that there would have been much work for an Ascension Island Council to do in advising me on a broad range of policy matters including education, child protection, conservation, fishing, medical services, housing and business regulation/development.
Decisions in such areas should help to improve life for those living and working on Ascension. Action and progress on such matters should not be put into abeyance because a Council could not be formed.
I, therefore, in the near future intend to suspend the Island Council (Ascension) Ordinance 2002 and aim to set up an advisory group which I will be able to consult on policy and new legislation.”
The effect of the suspension of the Ordinance is that the Governor will be able to consider policy matters and take decisions without consulting the Island Council. Without suspension of the Ordinance, action and progress would have been paralysed.
Governor Clancy added that “I hope that suspension of the Ordinance does not last for a long time. I will be leading an information campaign about the benefits for those working and living on Ascension of being involved in future in a Council. I hope that through such a campaign there will be a renewed interest so that we can proceed to an election and form a Council in around 12 months’ time.”
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
25 April 2007
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