Falklands : Public Meeting Report (26/06/07)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 27.06.2007 (Article Archived on 11.07.2007)
A public meeting took place at 1700 hrs on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 in the Court and Council Chamber of the town hall.
PUBLIC MEETING REPORT (26/06/07)
By J. Brock (FINN)
An open public meeting took place in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall at 1700hrs on Tuesday, 26 June 2007. Councillors Clausen, Summers, Rendell and Stevens were present along with approximately 25 members of the public. Cllr Summers chaired the meeting.
The first topic was about the future of the apprenticeship programme. A member of the public had asked if the programme was going to be scaled down and he stressed the importance of the programme. Cllr Summers said the subject was discussed in select committee and it was decided to increase funding for 15 apprenticeship places to be filled at any one time. It was no doubt that there would be more than 15 apprentices and the options were open for not only funding more apprentices but also to branch into different types of apprenticeships, like catering. Cllr Summers thought it was wise to wait and see how the policy goes before considering any further changes. He acknowledged the importance of the programme.
Another member of the public asked about the Road Traffic Ordinance. It was not clear about the type of seatbelts children should use. Cllr Summers said that a 3-point belt should be used in the front seats while lap belts could be used in the second row. The same person asked about MOT tests and Cllr Clausen said that that they were binned. Cllr Summers said that they were compulsory for PSVs (Taxis, busses and vans used to carry others for profit) but not for privately owned vehicles.
Would there be any restrictions on environmentally dirty vehicles? Councillors said there were no current plans to regulate this. Cllr Summers said that the police had the right to stop vehicles they felt were unsafe and not roadworthy. Cllr Clausen said it would be good to have carbon emission testing.
Medical tests every 5 years for PSV drivers over the age of 45 were discussed. It was felt unfair for the occasional drivers during tourist season, as they did not drive as often as people whose business it was to ferry tourists. The comments would be passed to the tourist board and the working group. It was thought that the medicals would put people off from driving as there was a cost to the medical exams. Cllr Summers mentioned that as part of touristpolicy it was up to the industry to point tourists to certified drivers. Cllr Clausen said she appreciated the point and that it would go back to the working group.
One member of the public said that parking on the pavements on Racecourse Road was very dangerous and he had seen a few near misses. Cllr Summers said hat he could ask the police to review the decision to allow this.
Firearms and what was allowed or disallowed brought comment from Cllr. Summers who said that if the weapon was used for sport or for commercial uses it would not be banned. There were no bans on the popular .22 Rifles. It was recommended that a security clearance be given for people who buy guns here. Chris Simpkins said that seeking a security clearance was desirable for employment as well as the purchase of a hand gun or rifle. One member of the public asked about family heirlooms. They could be dismantled but, as another member of the public said, it would devalue the gun.
The energy saving grants brought a query about whether funding for boilers and solar panels would come from FIDC or FIG. Cllr Clausen said that they were from FIG. There was concern that the post of Energy advisor had been abolished but it was said that even though he had gone around to departments and advised, no one headed what was said and certain offices were too warm. Cllr Clausen also said that FIG had to reconsider giving grants when the UK were phasing out more inefficient boilers and changing over to ones funded by grants. She also said that we all needed to go through an education process about saving energy. Cllr Summers mentioned that each office could look at requirements for heating and cut it if requirements are exceeded. For those who are interested, it was mentioned that Stanley Services Ltd were importing solar panels. They were also installing them at the Malvina House Hotel. Equipment for 24 hour power was getting old but Cllr Summers said there was no budget for replacing it. Cllr Clausen will check to see if there are funds for upgrades.
A question about depreciation on the equipment at the wind farm brought a response from Cllr Summers. Some equipment had 5 years, other equipment had 10 years – 15 years – 20 years.
The new Ferry would come to the Falklands 7 months from the signing of the contract. A suitable buyer would be found for the Tamar. The vessel would go to work straight away as the time waiting for it would be used to finish the infrastructure needed in its operation.
It was noted that the trees in front of the police station had been cut down. This was necessary to provide access to the new extension that was being constructed as well as to Pencil Lane.
Immigration forms such as medical forms for workers from Chile could be in Spanish as well as English. The English forms had served the department well and there would be a cost to producing new forms. Councillor Clausen said that advice was that 85 to 90% of the doctors in urban Chile could read the English forms. Cllr Summers mentioned that English forms were used for 20 years in the Fisheries Department with good results.
The old phone exchange would probably be turned into a public toilet. A shop would need off street parking and there was no space for it near the old phone exchange. Councillors are still waiting to see what use is feasible.
The viewing stand at the 1982 War memorial had been made out of an old Nissan hut and the project cost some £40,000. A lay-by is now being constructed along Ross Road near the monument and footpaths being laid out. There was no estimate of costs but rumour control put that project at £100,000.00. This has not been confirmed.
Students who finished their GCSEs prior to their 16th birthday had a school programme to cater to them. Questions were raised as to why they couldn’t be taken on as apprentices and begin their vocational training instead of attending the programme. This a possibility and Councillors will look into this.
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