St Helena : St Helena Update from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 31.08.2008 (Article Archived on 14.09.2008)
This addition of ‘Update from ANRD’ focuses on the key topics discussed at the recent Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANRC) meetings:
Update from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Scotland, St Helena Island, STHL 1ZZ Tel 4725 Fax 4603
E-mail canro@anrd.gov.sh
This addition of ‘Update from ANRD’ focuses on the key topics discussed at the recent Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANRC) meetings:
Environmental Institutions Review Consultancy
Consultant Mr Adrian Mallia arrived from Malta, in July, for a 2 week visit to begin the process of reviewing the institutional arrangements for St Helena Government’s environmental services. Adrian held meetings and workshops with the National Trust and all of the SHG Departments having a stake in environmental functions and services for the Island.
Mr Mallia fed back to SHG his findings of the key strategic problems experienced with the current institutional arrangements in place for environmental services, and provided a number of options or concepts of improved institutional arrangements that could be implemented by SHG. This included a formal feed back session to Legislative Council so that members are kept informed of the process SHG is currently undertaking.
Mr Mallia left a draft report to be considered on his consultancy findings and recommended way forward for an improved institutional arrangement for SHG’s environmental services. Mr Dick Beales has been on Island for a 4 week period to continue the process and has been having meetings with those involved in the provision of environmental services with a view to considering the options raised and their implications for a workable institutional structure, including their practicality, sustainability and feasibility in terms of resource requirements. Mr Beales will provide an evaluation report to SHG/ DfID on Mr Mallia’s initial recommendations and then work with Mr Mallia in the preparation of the final report to SHG/DfID later in September.
Review of Animals (Disease) Ordinance and Regulations and Import Health Standard for the Importation of Animals
Committee approved a proposal for improved importation procedures for animals to the Island through the introduction of an Animals Import Health Standard and amendments to the above-mentioned legislation. The proposed amendments have now been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for drafting and then ExCo approval.
Agricultural Improvement Scheme 2008/9
An update was provided following advertisement for expressions of interest from farmers to the Agricultural Improvement Scheme over the last month. Some 11 applications were received for the pasture improvement area of the scheme and 3 applications received for the area of pig housing development. Assessment of applications (including field visits) will be completed by the end of August to allow work to begin by the applicants.
Outsourcing Programme
Grounds Maintenance and Firewood Retail Functions A draft business case with a discussion of options for the future of the Department’s current grounds maintenance function provided to the Chief Secretary Housing Estate properties was discussed. Committee approved the option to develop an outsourcing proposal for the function to be divested to the private sector by the end of the current financial year. The Department will now work with the appropriate stakeholders to progress this proposal. Committee also considered a discussion paper on the future of firewood retail service provision by the Department and concluded that the future of this service should only be discussed further in the new financial year.
Sawmill Service
The Committee were made aware that the SHG Tender Board has now approved the recommendation of the Business Case Review Group for the Sawmill Service to be awarded to Mr Phillip John under an outsourcing arrangement. It is hoped that Mr John can take over the service by the end of September 2008.
Three Year Business Planning
The key strategic priorities and outcomes within the 3 year roll-over Business Plan for the Department for the period 2009/10-2011/12 was discussed and endorsed to allow the Department to work towards budget submission for the new 3 year budget planning process.
Applications for Land Under ANRD Control for Development Purposes
The Committee considered a proposal from the Head of Department, Legal and Lands in collaboration with SHDA for land at Devils Punch Bowl, Longwood for potential leisure development. Provisional approval was granted for some of the old unproductive pasture land to be released in the future to support a proposal of this nature.
Application was made to ANRD by the Chief of Police for ANRD forest land at Merrimens to be released from the Green Heartland Zone for the purpose of constructing a purpose built fire station. Committee did not give approval to this request on the principle that this area of the Heartland should not be used for this purpose. Members were also aware that a site between Ladder Hill and Half-Tree-Hollow had recently been approved for building of the Fire Station.
An application was also considered for a significant length of road way to be cut through a pasture near Vaughan’s to develop private land below the pasture for residential purposes. Committee did not approve this application on the principle that this proposal would be detrimental to the pasture land and alternative access could be developed to the private land to allow the land to be developed for the intended purpose.
D.G. Duncan
CANRO
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