St Helena : St. Helena Executive Council Meeting (14 August 2007)
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 25.08.2007 (Article Archived on 08.09.2007)
A meeting of the Executive Council was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday Friday 14 August 2007.
Executive Council Meeting Held
14 August 2007
A meeting of the Executive Council was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday Friday 14 August 2007. On the agenda were two items for open discussion: a Memorandum by the Attorney General regarding the Immigrant’s Landholding Regulations 2007; and a Memorandum by the Acting Chief Secretary regarding Undertakings Given and Resolutions Made at the Legislative Council meeting held 27 July 2007.
The Immigrant’s Landholding Regulations 2007 received considerable debate during which a number of amendments were put forward. One councillor felt there is a link between the Regulations and the Immigration Ordinance. The Attorney General assured him that this is not the case, and the question of St Helena Status was dealt with successfully in the 27 July Legislative Council meeting. There was concern about children born off the Island, if the mother is not at the time domiciled in St Helena the children would be subject to various conditions, fees and payments when arriving to St Helena. The Councilor noted that if anything is found to be unsatisfactory with the Regulations once they are approved councillors would be able to resort to a Private Member’s Bill to make amendments. It was agreed eventually that the Immigrant’s Landholding Regulations 2007 should be enacted subject to the various agreed amendments.
The Acting Chief Secretary reminded members of the Undertakings Given at the Legislative Council. The actions to be taken were agreed. It was noted that some undertakings would have financial implications but these would be dealt with during implementation.
One undertaking was that training would be given to Fire Service personnel who are not currently trained in rock guard skills. The Chairman PW&SD reported that appropriate training is not being carried out and there are no Rock Guards. The Acting Chief Secretary said that a commitment a Rock Guard has is to inspect the hillside above the wharf area prior to the arrival of the RMS St Helena. This responsibility will have to fall to the Chief Engineer and Senior Engineer (Works). The Acting Chief Secretary informed the meeting that the Chief Personnel Officer is looking into an improved package for Rock Guards, which will be more attractive to potential applicants. A Rock Guard’s job it was agreed is dangerous and also critical; this should be reflected in their pay. Regarding the Resolutions made at the Legislative Council, the six Bills for Ordinance have already been dealt with satisfactorily.
The Motion “That the people of this Island have freedom of choice when needing a Councillor to deal with their concerns” (Councillor Robert Robertson) needs no further action, as this is current practice.
The Motion “That this House resolves that in order to foster farming in general as a sustainable development in St Helena, the SHG should be requested to seriously consider and take the necessary action, where appropriate, to support and encourage this very important enterprise as a major private sector development for the welfare and livelihood of this Island” (Councillor Mervyn Yon) will be followed up by the Chairman A&NRC.
The Motion “That the Government reassesses the customs tariffs as soon as it is practicable” (Councillor John Reid) is welcomed by SHG. Reassessing customs tariffs is done as and when necessary already. Reviews don’t always turn out as anticipated.
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