Falklands : Falklands Summary of Executive Council 16th September 2010
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 22.09.2010 (Article Archived on 06.10.2010)
This meeting of Executive Council had a change of faces around the table. In the absence of the Hon Dick Sawle and Roger Edwards who are currently overseas, the Hon Glenn Ross and Sharon Halford were the nominated stand ins.
Summary of Executive Council 16th September 2010
This meeting of Executive Council had a change of faces around the table. In the absence of the Hon Dick Sawle and Roger Edwards who are currently overseas, the Hon Glenn Ross and Sharon Halford were the nominated stand ins. Also on this occasion Rick Nye, the First Secretary at Government House, sat in and observed the meeting as he will be covering in the absence of the Governor.
The Task status report was discussed briefly in relation to Fisheries Resource Rent Policy; it was noted that this had lagged behind and needed to be moved forward. Outstanding Immigration issues were also touched upon and it was noted that a date should be set for this.
The first paper to be discussed was the results from Consultants’ studies on the proposed new port. The conclusions of the report were noted and further details/costings of studies were asked for to be ready for the October Exco.
Assistance was agreed for a small housing development which will free up some houses in Stanley and provide new housing to first time buyers.
A paper of the management restructure of the hospital was approved which should lead to overall improvement of the workings of the department. Slight changes to the speech and language and audiology services in the islands were approved. This will lead to the disestablishment of the Senior Speech and Language Therapist and the creation of a new local post of Speech and Language Therapy Assistant and specialist visits to be increased.
The Actuary’s Report on pension arrangements in seven British Overseas Territories was noted. This report looks towards good Governance of pensions and the continuance thereof.
We then discussed and approved a policy on non-statutory appeals to Executive Council by members of the public. This was to try and make the whole process more clear for those persons wishing to appeal.
A brief report on the Interim Telecommunications Bill was noted and a further, fuller, paper on this will be placed before the October Exco.
An application for a Diving Licence under the Harbour Ordinance by Philip Miller trading as Falkland Islands Professional Diving Services was approved.
The Extension of the Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010 to the Overseas Territories was approved. This legislation is to be extended to the Falklands by the UK and will incur no additional work or cost to the Falklands.
It was agreed that the Complaints Commissioners Ordinance 2010 should come into force as from the 1st October 2010. The first Complaints Commissioner to be appointed is Mr Ken Greenland.
The Public Accounts Committee (Form of Summons and Warrant) Order 2010 was approved. This sets out the type of summons and warrant to be used. The Public Accounts Committee (Amendment) (No.2) Bill was also approved. This Bill will go before the next meeting of the Legislative Assembly and if approved will allow the committee to meet in private when discussion housekeeping matters.
We discussed the Progress Report on the Strategic Review of Immigration and approved the revised Falkland Islands Immigration Policy which is as follows:
The Falkland Islands Immigration Policy seeks to enable, on a targeted basis, such permanent immigration as is in the interests of the Falkland Islands, taking into account the need to:
(a) increase the human capital of knowledge, abilities and skills in the Falkland Islands;
(b) develop and increase enterprise and innovation in the Falkland Islands; and
(c) safeguard social cohesion and promote integration and ensure the national interests and the security of the Falkland Islands.
A paper amending the policy on Career Breaks for Public Officers was approved. This amendment will tighten up the current policy and will be made available once the Civil Service has been informed.
And finally we approved a review of the Department of Agricultural Staffing Requirements which recommended that their staff establishment remain at its current level for the medium term (3 – 5) years. This department is intertwined with farmers and FIMCO in working towards an improved meat market for the Falklands.
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