Falklands : Falklands Executive Council Round-up
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 23.12.2008 (Article Archived on 06.01.2009)
Find out what happened during this vital committee meeting
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 18th December 2008
For information all three ExCo councillors declared an interest in the first paper, Fisheries Access or Quota Fees 2009, and so Councillors Cockwell, Hansen and Stevens attended for this item only. The Fisheries Access Fees for 2009 were discussed and after some consideration ExCo decided that in view of the present world financial crisis there should be no increase. Members also agreed that there should be a reduction of 10% in the access fees for the skate fishery. This latter decision was to correct an anomaly which had occurred. There was some discussion regarding the issue of exchange rates as the fish are usually sold in either Euros or Dollars, thus with the devaluation of the pound fishing companies were better off in sterling terms. However ExCo agreed that this would be reflected in the tax on any profits at a later date. ExCo did ask that progress on the issue of economic efficiency should be addressed as soon as possible.
The first of two medical-related papers was an information paper appraising ExCo of the present practise of offering all pregnant women, when it is appropriate, the opportunity of a vaginal birth when they have had a caesarean section to deliver a previous baby. ExCo noted that the cost of a referral to the United Kingdom for this purpose is quite expensive, at around £9,900, but that during the last 10 years this option had only been taken up twice. Given also that FIG is bound by a number of human rights conventions that have been adopted to protect both the health of the pregnant woman and the unborn child, ExCo accepted that the current practise should continue.
It was then agreed that the schedule of charges for all services provided by the KEMH, including medical, diagnostic and treatment services, public health, dental and meal charges, should be raised by 3% as from 1October 2008. As it had previously been recommended this should be an annual process, so as to keep in step with inflation and to avoid any radical increases in the future, ExCo agreed that this proposal should be referred to the Budget Select Committee for approval, in due course.
ExCo gave approval a £400,000 overdraft guarantee to FIMCO, effective until 30 June 2009. This overdraft facility is required every year to cover the cost of the export season, and is provided by Standard Chartered Bank with a guarantee from FIDC with the approval of ExCo and authority from the Governor as required by the Corporation Ordinance.
A lengthy paper updating ExCo of the BFBS TV project developments and related costs, and seeking final approval to proceed to contract was then considered. The paper recorded that a host of issues had been tackled in the last six months or so, including public consultation, possible introduction of a service charge, cost sharing, transmission options, resolution of rights issues and drafting of contracts. It was noted that the digital satellite service to Camp could be available in mid-February 2009, with the UK Freeview standard transmission to Stanley coming on stream in late April/early May 2009. ExCo agreed that the project should proceed, noted the revised financial implications and recommended to SFC the provision of funding and approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with SSVC and MoD. In relation to Camp installations, ExCo was reminded of its previous “approval in principle” to pay for the satellite dish, ancillary equipment, MPEG4 decoders, delivery to Camp locations and the setting up of the equipment including the orientation of the satellite dish for those houses normally occupied for six months or more during the year. It was also noted that the recipient of the equipment would be required to arrange for a suitable concrete base for the dish, and that FIG would not be covering this specific cost. ExCo agreed that once set up and fully functional the completed installations would become the property of the house owner who would then become responsible for its future maintenance costs and replacement. It was agreed that where an installation is provided for a tenant it becomes the property of the house owner rather than the tenant. This would apply in particular to FLH tenancies and government houses at Fox Bay Village. The Government Secretary reported that he would be sending out letters to all Camp residents in the near future asking them if they wish to have a satellite installation. This letter would also make it clear that where one dish can be shared by two or more houses due to their close proximity, then this should be done. Technical details of this option will be included in the letter. It was noted that for Stanley viewers the Freeview standard will mean that any set top box or integrated digital TV (IDTV) purchased from the UK should receive and decode the services. Finally, whilst the main thrust of the paper relates to TV it also informed ExCo that as part of their contract with FIG, SSVC intend to install a high power FIRS FM transmitter at Sapper Hill which will extend the coverage area to approximately 40km and a medium power Radio 2 transmitter with a range of approximately 25km. They will also install low power FM transmitters at the military mountain sites and advise FIG of the options for transmission from future sites that would enhance FM coverage to the Camp.
The next paper was an update from the Chief Executive on the progress of the Councillor’s Remuneration Panel. In July ExCo agreed that this Panel should be established to review and recommend on councillor’s remuneration to apply in the new Legislative Assembly from November 2009. However, as no expressions of interest from members of the public to serve on the Panel were received it was decided by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Executive that individuals should be approached who might be willing to serve on the Panel. Three individuals were approached and agreed to serve on the Panel: Keith Biles, Cheryl Roberts and Justin McPhee. The terms of reference for the Panel are to review the role under the new Constitution of councillors, consider whether in view of that role councillors should be remunerated, evaluate the options for remuneration approaches including standard attendance allowances, variable salary compensation (for earnings actually lost by Assembly work) or a fixed salary. ExCo was further updated that the Panel will carry out all necessary research, invite existing councillors and other members of the community with relevant experience to give personal views, and encourage any other member of the community to provide views. A series of meetings will be held in January and February to achieve this and the Panel aims to report by March 2009.
ExCo then agreed proposed draft alterations to the Stanley Town Plan and gave authority to the Environmental Planning Officer to undertake public consultation on them for at least two months, commencing in January 2009. The proposed alterations cover; housing allocations (the proposed outcome being sufficient to treble the number of dwellings in the town); public greenspace provision (allocating about 10% of total provision and introducing a lower and more flexible requirement associated with large new housing developments); visual amenity greenspace (a general policy presumption that undeveloped privately owned land between the front road and harbour should be kept largely free of development so as to preserve public views of the harbour, mountains and the setting of Stanley); and road reserves (the removal of a road reserve shown on the adopted Town Plan from the bypass to Jeremy Moore Avenue as it is now unimplementable and undesirable).
Two major pieces of work, the Falkland Islands Biodiversity Strategy 2008-2118, and a revised Chapter 4 of the Management Code, were then approved by ExCo, but with the latter still requiring some minor amendments prior to publication.
The next paper advised ExCo of changes being made to the process for obtaining FIS and PRP stamps in passports, the introduction of an application form for an FIS stamp, and finally sought approval for the continued placement of the FIS stamp in passports of FIS holders. The Government Secretary observed that the placing of these stamps in passports saves time both on arrival and departure at the airport for both the passport holder and the Immigration staff, but the process has been discovered to have certain flaws, one of which has recently come to light. An application form for an FIS stamp will ensure that a full and proper process is carried out to establish that the applicant does actually have FIS, both at the time of application and whenever a new passport is issued to them. This will safeguard against mistakes which could occur following legal separation or divorce, which may affect the applicant’s status in certain instances. ExCo noted the action being taken and approved the continuing use of the FIS stamp.
ExCo then agreed to recommend an amendment to Section 40 of the Livestock Ordinance which would permit the publication of non-financial information from annual stock returns which are already required under Section 40 to be completed and returned by every farmer. The paper explained that this amendment will close a loophole following a request from one farmer that his stock return details should not be included in the annually published Department of Agriculture Farming Statistics. It was observed that it has been common practise to publish these statistics for a century, and that they provide a valuable tool for farmers and others in benchmarking farm performance and scrutinising agricultural productivity. ExCo also agreed that the amendment should be made retrospective to include figures for 2007/2008.
A recommendation from the Board of Falklands Landholdings Corporation that Myles Lee and Malcolm Ashworth be appointed to the Board was agreed
Approval for the continuation of three current appointments as trustees of the Pensions Board until 31 December 2011 was then given by ExCo in respect of Mrs Karen Lee, Mr Roger Spink and Mr Stephen Freer. It was noted that nominations have unsuccessfully been sought on several occasions through the media and via the Chamber of Commerce, and that the individuals concerned have all confirmed that they are willing to continue serving on the Pensions Board.
Finally, ExCo agreed that demolition of the Jhelum should take place following a report from the Government Secretary that close inspection of the wreck indicates that the stern section is likely to collapse. However, it was agreed that any strong parts of the wreck should be left in place if at all possible.
This concludes the Executive Council summary for December 2008.
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