Falklands : Falklands General Purposes Committee Meeting Report (090824)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 27.08.2009 (Article Archived on 10.09.2009)
A meeting of General Purposes Committee took place on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 and on Monday, 24 August 2009 Cllr Mike Summers briefed the Media on what happened at that meeting.
GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT (090824)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of General Purposes Committee took place on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 and on Monday, 24 August 2009 Cllr Mike Summers briefed the Media on what happened at that meeting.
Issues on the agenda included
1. The Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting in London from 08 – 10 December 2009 and a related conference on Cayman Is from 04 to 06 November 2009.
2. Waivers for employing certain categories of demining personnel
3. Shooting on Common land
4. Housing and mortgages for young families
5. Concordia Bay
6. Lands Non Resident Licences
Meetings during August included
1. A meeting with Fred Rokketa on security for the oil industry
2. Cheryl Plumridge from PGHQ on MOD concerns and with
3. Sonny Jose and Michael Poole about the system of national accounts.
At the brief the matter about the next of Kin was also discussed.
Waivers for Local Demining Workers:
The tender process is still on-going but one issue is hiring on local people who would do a variety of tasks during the demining operation. We have former EOD personnel here who might want to participate as well as some locals who have gone abroad to learn how to clear mines. The Principle Immigration Officer would review the situation and recommend rectifying any false restriction of local people working on the project.
Housing and Mortgages for Young Families:
Cllr Summers said that a young person had written saying that she was refused a mortgage for a property and that the rent she is now paying adds up to much more than if she had a mortgage. FIG will discuss this with the bank. The bank won’t grant a mortgage if more than 40% total income is spent on the mortgage. FIG are thinking about a joint equity tool and the treasury is to come up with a plan. It is noted that the bank are reluctant to participate in joint mortgages.
Next of Kin:
It appears that the agreement reached with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Argentine Government with reference to the Next of Kin visit has hit a snag with pressure apparently being put on LAN by the Argentine Government to bump regular passengers of the 03 and 10 October 2009. Several passengers for those flights have been bumped off. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are complaining to the highest levels of the Argentine Government about this. FIG are examining options if this doesn’t work.
Overseas Territories Consultative Council:
A one day forum is organised to discuss the White Paper that is now 10 years old. There will be a conference on Cayman Island from 4 to 6 November. There will be difficulties getting people to the conference because of the election and commitments for Sukey Cameron in London. No representative from any of the other Islands can act in lieu of our representative at the conference. Sukey is expected to attend.
Land Non Residents Policy:
A small task group including Head Mineral Resources, the Senior Policy Officer, Head of FIDC and the Crown Council are working on this. The options recommended are for farms and not for homes in Stanley. The group will make sure the licences don’t interfere with policies in place, for example leading to the decrease in mutton and lamb to the abattoir.
Oil Security:
FCO consultant Fred Rokkita visited Councillors to talk in broad terms about logistical security of rigs, other assets and personnel. Councillors briefed Mr Rokkita about the previous drilling round.
RAF Airbridge:
Cheryl Plumridge from PGHQ Northwood came to discuss the situation about airbridge frequency and cost. No real progress has been made but there are discussions about pre-purchasing seats to secure them at a given price. The MOD are varying the contract from 2 flights a week to three every fortnight at the end of September when the “grace” period ends.
Shooting on Common Land:
Someone has been shooting geese with an airgun at Moody Brook. This is a police matter and they have been informed.
Concordia Bay:
There will be an EXCO paper for the September about the schedule for Concordia Bay. David Waugh and Adam Cockwell attended to discuss this. The Ferry crossing will be on Thursday to make it easier to carry out the rest of the schedule. Cllr Clausen will report.
Equalisation of freight rates was discussed and a figure of £10.00 per bale delivered to FIPASS could be the way forward for people on the South of the West. FIG used to collect the wool until it changed to private hands with SAAS. Now the problem of freight has fallen back on FIG.
Also being discussed was a schedule for Concordia Bay to call into Fox Bay. People on the North of West Falkland can use the ferry on its regular schedule for transporting their wool.
National Accounts:
Cllr Summers said that a considerable investment has been made in national accounts, accurate GDP figures and balance of payment figures. He went on to say that these figures are needed to predict economic growth. When Councillors are satisfied with the figures they will release the figures – possibly within 3 weeks. A lot of data will be included in meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.
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