Falklands : Falklands -Summary of Executive Council Meeting 16 November 2011
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 18.11.2011 (Article Archived on 09.12.2011)
This was the first meeting of the newly elected Executive Council comprising of the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Dick Sawle and the Hon Sharon Halford.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 16 November 2011
This was the first meeting of the newly elected Executive Council comprising of the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Dick Sawle and the Hon Sharon Halford. As the first two papers were dealing with fisheries matters the Hon Dick Sawle absented himself and the Hon Gavin Short stood in. The Hon Jan Cheek also absented herself for the first of the two papers.
The first of the fisheries papers dealt with the Fishing Access Fees for 2012 on which there was quite a bit of discussion. Given that our fees are relatively high in world terms I am pleased to report it was agreed that these should remain at the 2011 levels for the next year.
The second paper was a report on the Economic Efficiency Test – Loligo Fishery. This was noted and is to be reviewed by the Head of Policy to see if it can be made more robust and effective.
An extra £35,000 of funding was approved from the FIDC reserves to take their Sea Trout Aquaculture Project through to the end of March when hopefully it will be taken on by the Private Sector.
The paper on Sea Trucks gave approval for FIG to look into the purchase of a suitable sea truck for use in conjunction with Concordia Bay. This work is to be undertaken as a high priority by FIG in close collaboration with Workboat Services. We look forward to receiving a further paper on this once a suitable sea truck has been identified together with costings.
A paper on the repair of the Public Jetty was agreed and this will now go forward for budgetary consideration as part of the Capital Works for next year.
A paper on the Rural Development Strategy was next up for discussion. It was agreed subject to an amended recommendation to “endorse the principles of the draft strategy pending a revised version being submitted in the near future.”
We then agreed a slight amendment to the Domicile (Reform) Bill which will go to the Legislative Assembly in December. This will reform the law of domicile for married women by abolishing a rule of law that currently discriminates against them.
The Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill to facilitate the establishment of the Telecommunications Appeals Panel and slightly to expand its role was approved and will also be presented at the December Legislative Assembly.
And finally we agreed the proposed Schedule of Meetings for 2012.
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