Falklands : Falklands Budget Session Business and Legislation
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 01.06.2010 (Article Archived on 15.06.2010)
After H. E. the Governor Mr Huckle left the chamber Assembly business began with the confirmation of the record of the meeting of Legislative Assembly held on the 26th of February 2010. The Speaker signed it as a true record.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 26 MAY 2010 (Addendum)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
After H. E. the Governor Mr Huckle left the chamber Assembly business began with the confirmation of the record of the meeting of Legislative Assembly held on the 26th of February 2010. The Speaker signed it as a true record.
Papers to be laid on the table by the Hon Chief Executive:
1. Copies of Subsidiary Legislation Published in the Falkland Islands Gazette Since the Last Sitting of Legislative Assembly and laid on the table pursuant to Section 34.1 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance 1977
a. The Public Accounts Committee Ordinance Correction No. 2 Order 2010
b. The Fishery Products Hygiene Designation Order 2010
c. Taxes and Duties Defence Contractors’ Employees Exemption Order 2010
d. Media Trust Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 30 June 2009, laid on the table In Accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2 of the Media Trust Ordinance 1989
e. Programme of Business of the Public Accounts Committee to June 2010, laid on the table in accordance with Section 12 of the Public Accounts Committee Ordinance 2009
The Hon Mrs Sharon Halford:
Mr Speaker, I would like to propose that Members note the programme of the Public Accounts Committee.
The Hon Mr Gavin Short:
I would like to second that Mr Speaker.
The Speaker the Hon Mr Keith Biles:
Honourable Members, this is your opportunity to make comment about that programme should you wish.
There was no further comment so the motion that the paper is noted was passed.
Questions for Oral Answer:
Question No 7/2010 by the Hon Mrs Jan Cheek:
Will the Honourable Sharon Halford please outline the criteria by which Sheltered Housing is allocated, confirm the numbers on the waiting list – if there is one – and whether any accommodation is held empty in readiness to cater to the needs of any unexpected urgent requirement?
Answer by the Hon Mrs Sharon Halford:
Mr Speaker, in answering the question I will give slightly more information so that members of the public will be more aware of what there is available.
The Sheltered Housing accommodation provides single and double units in three different sites across Stanley: Yates Place has eight one bedroom units, St Mary’s Walk has eight two bedroom units and Thatcher Drive has eight one bedroom units and three two bedroom units.
The purpose of Sheltered Housing Accommodation is to provide a supported and protected living environment for people with additional needs so they can live as independently as possible within their own homes.
Sheltered Housing is available for people who are 18 years and over, who have either a physical and/or learning and/or mental health need that prevents them living in their existing homes but who need neither total care nor the in-patient nursing and medical services of a hospital. Applicants must be mobile with or without aids. Applicants who wish to live independently must be able to wash, use the toilet or be able to manage their own catheters and undertake daily living skills. Applicants must be able to live without constant supervision.
The level of need is identified during a multidisciplinary needs assessment, which is undertaken prior to allocation.
Application forms can be obtained from the Social Services Team, mobile warden or district nurse and once completed handed to either party.
The formal tenancy agreement will be the same as that applying to other Falkland Islands’ Government tenancies, taking into account that if the eligibility criteria are met, then the tenancy will be provided on an open ended basis. The resident will be informed of the expectations that are applied when living within a supported and protected environment of the sheltered housing. The resident will be asked to sign saying that they understand the conditions of tenancy and that they agree to live by this code of contact.
The resident will also be asked to sign an undertaking to the effect that they are selling, renting out or otherwise disposing of any existing property which they may own or occupy and that they understand that move to be a permanent one.
There are currently five single and three couples on the waiting list. Properties are not left empty in readiness to meet an unexpected urgent requirement. This is because they were asked to fill all empty houses by the previous Assembly.
The allocation panel for Sheltered Housing is made up of the Social Services Team Leader, Community Nurse and Sheltered Housing Warden. In addition to the sheltered Housing Houses that we have, we also have nursing care rooms which are in a wing associated with the ward in hospital. There are seven rooms of which four are, at present, occupied and one is about to be occupied.
Admission to the rooms is based on an assessment of need where the person requires nursing care supervision for the greater part of 24 hours a day and that this need is going to increase. None are kept empty for any reason other than there is no one who has such a need. It is generally understood that needs are best met by people living in their own homes or sheltered housing, retaining their independence for as long as possible.
The Hon Mrs Jan Cheek:
I thank the Honourable Sharon Halford for her reply, which will perhaps allay the concerns that were recently expressed to some of us. Thank you.
The Hon Mr Gavin Short:
I was wondering that in view of one or two recent cases, would the Honourable Lady not agree with me that the actual committee for the allocation of those houses could take in somebody from outside the medical sector?
The Hon Mrs Sharon Halford:
It certainly doesn’t harm to have somebody extra on such committees but I am not sure if you are suggesting if you should have just a simple lay member or what? It certainly could be looked into if other Members thought that this was necessary.
This completes the addendum.
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