Falklands : GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT 26/01/11
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 11.02.2011 (Article Archived on 25.02.2011)
The General Purposes Committee met on Wednesday, 26 January 2011. On Monday, 31 January 2011 the Hon Mrs Jan Cheek briefed the press about what happened during this important committee meeting.
GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT 26/01/11
By J. Brock (FINN)
The General Purposes Committee met on Wednesday, 26 January 2011. On Monday, 31 January 2011 the Hon Mrs Jan Cheek briefed the press about what happened during this important committee meeting.
Mrs Cheek said that the bulk of the meeting was taken up with the more than 40 agenda items for Executive Council. However, there were several papers she could discuss with the media.
British Antarctic Survey Memorial Trust:
The British Antarctic Survey Memorial Trust presented a proposal to place part of a monument somewhere along the sea front adjacent to Stanley Harbour. Initially they wanted to place the 3 Metre high structure on Victory Green but other locations east of that were suggested. One plaque for the Memorial will be placed in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, with the second part of the structure here in Stanley. The memorial is to remember ex-FIDS and BAS team members who died in the Antarctic.
Vacancies and Recruitment:
Each month open posts are discussed to see if it is possible to leave it vacant. Also candidates for posts are discussed.
St Mary’s Walk Parking:
After years of discussion regulations will soon be in place concerning parking on St Mary’s Walk near the KEMH.
Freeing up Employees for Public Duties:
There was discussion about the policy of freeing employees from their duties so they can attend government meetings especially overseas. Government Departments release MLAs but they are put on Councillors’ pay while they are on public duty. This pay is less than what they normally would earn.
Wool Shipment Hold-up:
The last wool shipment the MOD took was delayed because wool is still considered to be dangerous cargo. Regulations hadn’t changed since wool was carried in sailing ships and when wet, wool bales can self-combust. The shipment was allowed to go ahead after numerous phone calls and it became evident that this was a one-off trip and that wool, unless it is re-classified, is a dangerous cargo. Hopefully a dispensation can be granted from the Marine Coast Guard Agency (MCA) and other authorities so that the shipments can continue without such red tape.
Town Hall Lift:
This lift has been a long-standing discussion and parts of the lift are now obsolete. Access to the Town Hall for the elderly and disabled is important and the lift was purchased for timely installation. It wasn’t installed but was crated up and left to deteriorate in the crate. Recently it was unpacked, cleaned up and stored in better conditions.
Infant/Junior School Head:
A Head for the Infant/Junior School has been recruited and will hopefully be in place in September. Rumours that he or she will also take over as head of the Community School are unfounded.
Public Meeting:
Mrs Cheek said she is still getting information back on the fire appliance purchased for Stanley Airport and that a report will come out in due course.
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