Falklands : Executive Council Report for August 2007
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 29.08.2007 (Article Archived on 12.09.2007)
A meeting of Executive Council has taken place. Find out what happened during this important meeting.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 23rd August 2007
An independent remuneration panel reported back to Executive Council on an optional scheme of payment for elected members of the legislature. This report was commissioned by the Select Committee on the Constitution as a result of discussions to consider ways in which a wider range of candidates could be attracted to stand for election, in particular for those individuals who are not in a position to be able to afford to stand unless there is the option of a salary. A number of features are described in the report, one of which suggests an annual salary of £21,924 with slightly more for the spokesperson £24,664, both of which are based on a percentage of days at the current rate. Members referred the report of the Select Committee for further consideration.
A report recommending the introduction of Automatic Identification System (AIS) for vessels licensed to fish in Falkland Island waters was considered. Whilst Members were generally in favour of the introduction of such a system, whose primary role will be as an aid to Search and Rescue operations, further information was requested regarding the supply and deployment of such equipment.
Members were asked to set the level of licence fee for the Illex fishery for 2008. Considering 2007 was one of the best years on record in terms of catch levels, it was disappointing to see the subsequent negative effects on market prices such that in order to achieve the 10% fee/revenue ratio licence fees will need to remain at 2007 levels. To this end Executive Council approved no change to Illex licence fees for 2008.
A request from the Board of Directors of Woolco for the release of £135,000 to FIDC for the purpose of providing funding to Woolco for Year 2 operations was received. Members felt that although there was some information on the progress of the Falkland Island Wool Company during its first 10 months of operation, there was no direct comparison with the business plan as approved by Executive Council in 2007. It was therefore difficult to be clear as to exactly how much progress has been made. Members requested a further report to be written by the General Manager of FIDC, illustrating the performance of the company against the original objectives before the release of further funding is further considered.
Following the approval of up to £300,000 to be allocated to Phase 1 of the Sand Bay Meat Plant capital works, Council approved the expenditure of funds within the £300,000 for essential construction, the procurement of steel works and other items critical for the compliance related works.
Following the decision that plots 1 to 7 Hansen hill should be put aside for social housing, the design engineer has recommended that tenders be sought for the design and construction of six two-bedroom housing units at plots 5 to 7 (which lie to the east of the electricity substation). Members approved the recommendation and further requested that the construction be of three sets of two units. It is proposed that a further four houses be constructed to the west of the substation at a later date.
Two new planning appeals were considered by Executive Council, with an update on the two heard last month.
The Environmental Planning Officer has requested that Executive Council consider setting a clear procedure for dealing with appeals against planning application decisions. Currently the process is overly complicated and there is no clear framework. Members approved a new process and requested that the Attorney General, subject to drafting priorities, draft amendments to sections 47 and 110 of the Planning Ordinance in order that the new procedure is accommodated. Furthermore the EPO and Attorney General will redraft the appeals form and produce a comprehensive set of instructions for the appellant. In order to view the approved changes to the appeals process please collect a copy of the EXCO paper from Gilbert House.
Although the adopted Stanley Town Plan 2004 makes provision for the creation of a Conservation Area in Stanley, there is currently no provision within the Planning Ordinance for such an area to be designated. Members approved the general principle of amending the Planning Ordinance to allow for designation and recognised that this will be subject to existing drafting priorities. Members further commented that they would like sight of the underlying principles that would justify the designation of a Conservation Area.
Twice annually the Attorney General’s Chamber provide a report on legislative drafting priorities. At this month’s meeting of Executive Council the Acting Attorney General updated Members on the current position and the growing back-log of drafting requirements. Members considered the legislation requirements that fell within the Urgent category and approved that priority be given to any legislation that is essential for economic growth and development such as that relating to fisheries, the abattoir and the minerals and hydrocarbon industries. Furthermore Members requested that the re-draft of the Education Ordinance also be made a priority.
As a result of the impending departure and consequent resignation effective as of 13th September 2007, of Mr Chris Simpkins from the Board of Stanley Services Limited, Members approved the appointment of Dr Michael Blanch as a Director of Stanley Services Limited for the period of his appointment as interim Chief Executive of FIG.
At last month’s meeting of Executive Council Members approved in principle, an amendment to the Mining Ordinance 2005 to allow an individual to be awarded a licence to extract stone, flint, chalk, gravel or calcified seaweed. At this month’s meeting Members approved the Mining (Amendment) Bill 2007, which makes provision for the above, for publication and submission to Legislative Council.
Finally, a series of papers from the director of Education were considered. Firstly a report on the proposed restructure of the education department was discussed. A press release outlining the key decisions made will be provided by the Director of Education in due course. Secondly Members noted the increasing pressure on accommodation at the Infant and Junior School. Members requested a further paper reviewing in detail options for the way to move forward. Thirdly Members approved that the school year of the Travelling teacher in Camp be brought into line with that of main-stream teachers, and that special arrangements for travelling teachers such as additional days and the use of days in lieu are no longer part of operational practice. Lastly, Members approved the revised eligibility criteria for students seeking sponsorship funding to engage in further education, and that this be implemented from September 2007 for the group of students embarking on a two year GCSE course. Whilst the eligibility criteria relating to points and grades achieved has been in place for some time it has been brought to our attention that quite often students who are very capable often do the minimum required to achieve the academic requirements necessary to qualify for further education sponsorship. To this end Executive Council approved the addition of three new criteria (commitment to study, attendance and punctuality) by which to judge applications for post 16 education funding (Note: this would apply to grant funding not course costs). Following a number of meetings of the Working Group on Further and Higher Education a recommendation was made and is outlined in the paper put to Executive Council. From 2007 students assessed using this method will receive grant funding according to their commitment to study.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for August 2007.
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