St Helena : St Helena Where are we with the MOU?
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 14.01.2012 (Article Archived on 28.01.2012)
Publicity on the MOU front has been quiet during the last few months of 2011 however this has not meant that work has stopped; on the contrary a lot of behind the scene activity in each of the MOU Reform areas has taken place and will continue to do so during Phase II and the year ahead.
Where are we with the MOU?
First and foremost a Happy New Year to all of our readers!
Publicity on the MOU front has been quiet during the last few months of 2011 however this has not meant that work has stopped; on the contrary a lot of behind the scene activity in each of the MOU Reform areas has taken place and will continue to do so during Phase II and the year ahead.
Readers will recall in September of last year, a MOU Assessment Team comprising Tom Kelly, Head of DfID’s Overseas Territories Department and Eric Arnold, a Private Sector Consultant visited the Island to assess the progress SHG had made towards meeting Condition Four of the MOU which is for: “St Helena to implement the reforms needed to open the Island’s economy to inward investment and increased tourism.”
Following on from this visit, a successful review outcome was received by SHG in October, laying the foundations for the positive airport announcement in early November.
The successful review was not the end of the road for the MOU Reform Programme as the targets achieved must now be implemented. And, as a result of this the MOU is no longer a separate project but instead will be incorporated into the overall workings of SHG.
Below is a summary of progress on the ‘big’ areas under the MOU to date:
Land
The second round of consultation on the Land Development Control plan begins this month and will run for six weeks.
Both the draft Housing Policy and the draft Land Disposal Policy have been finalised and will be taken to ExCo towards the end of this month. Public Consultation on both drafts is scheduled for February.
The NPAs or National Protected Areas Report, which seeks to conserve and restore St Helena’s, natural and cultural heritage, has been completed by Rob Wild, a National Protected Areas Adviser, who was on the Island in October of last year. This report has been received by SHG.
A Social Impact and Environmental Assessment Report has been finalised and will coincide with the finalised Land Development Control Plan, following the second consultation. The Planning Ordinance will also be reviewed once the LDCP is finalised.
Immigration
Regulations for asylum, entry, residence and employment have been completed and were presented to ExCo on Tuesday.
All Immigration Officers along with the Immigration Control Board have been trained in relation to the revised Immigration Ordinance, Regulations and Asylum Rules.
The revised Ordinance will undergo a trial period during this month with the Ordinance fully implemented by March.
Economic Development
A draft Economic Development plan 2012/13 -2021/22 is currently out for public consultation.
A Strategy for quality standards across the tourism services as well as a hospitality training strategy has also been prepared. A Training and Mentoring Programme will begin shortly.
A draft programme for the Napoleonic Bi-Centenary by elected members has also been completed and will be presented to Legislative Council in February.
It is planned to have regular contact between key on-island economic development stakeholders and DfID.
To date targets under the MOU Reform areas have progressed well.
Director of Strategic Policy and Planning, Susan O’Bey said:
“Work on implementing the MOU reforms continues to be a high priority for SHG, especially now that the airport project has started. It is important that St Helena is ready in all aspects to be able to take advantage of all the opportunities which improved access will bring. ”
Strategic Policy and Planning Unit
11th January 2012
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