Falklands : Summary of Executive Council Meeting 29 February 2012
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 29.02.2012 (Article Archived on 14.03.2012)
he meeting of Executive Council held on the 22nd February 2012 was attended by the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Sharon Halford and the Hon Dick Sawle and no stand-ins attended on this occasion.
Summary of Executive Council Meeting 29 February 2012
The meeting of Executive Council held on the 22nd February 2012 was attended by the Hon Jan Cheek, the Hon Sharon Halford and the Hon Dick Sawle and no stand-ins attended on this occasion.
As usual the meeting commenced with the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising after which the Task Status Report was considered. A Review of Members’ Remuneration has been added to this list and this will be kick started when Members have an away day in March to discuss all areas and possibilities surrounding this.
The Supplementary Appropriation (2011-2012) Bill 2012 was first on the agenda and was forwarded to and dealt with by the Legislative Assembly held on the 23rd February.
It was agreed to proceed with the relocation of the Museum to the Government Dockyard and a sum of £1.5m was agreed to be set aside for this with the proviso that the relocation project would be managed by the FIMNT in close liaison with a Projects Director and an oversight board.
The requirement for a temporary classroom for FS1 (Pre-school) children permitting the accommodation of increased numbers was next in line for approval. Members agreed for this to proceed but asked that this be a temporary fix only and that a permanent solution be addressed as soon as possible as with an increasing population the problem is likely to get even greater.
The joint development of a car part off of St Mary’s Walk was agreed. This is a joint development between Stanley Services Ltd and FIG and, once completed, should greatly help with parking needs in the area.
The cost for the provision of Public Toilets at the Visitor Centre and Dockyard sites was also approved and hopefully this work will be put out to tender in the near future.
Members then considered the outcome and recommendations of an investigation undertaken in accordance with the Disciplinary and Capability Procedure of the Management Code into the performance of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and subsequent actions taken, in relation to the trail of Colin MacDonald in November 2011 and agreed the release of a press release in this matter.
Members were then pleased to agree the adoption of the proposed Rural Development Strategy and have asked that the Rural Development Strategy Steering Group prepare a detailed and achievable action plan for the implementation of the strategy for subsequent consideration by Executive Council.
With the proposed civilianisation of some areas at Mount Pleasant Members approved the revised Programme Initiation Document for signature and publication. One of the first things we are looking to take forward under this proposal, at Government to Government level, is the future operation of the Air Terminal and Members endorsed the proposal of the Localisation Steering Group in this regard.
Members then looked at the conclusion of the consultancy on the resource rent review which considered the main findings of the review process and the final report from both the Falkland Islands Government and the Falkland Island Fishing Company Association perspectives. Approval was given for the setting up of a Working Group to analyse this work further and report back to Executive Council by no later than the December 2012 meeting with clear proposals.
Several papers pertaining to the Oil and Gas Industry were then dealt with.
The first looked at proposals to facilitate Private Sector Involvement in this industry and agreement was given for this to proceed.
Approval was also given to set up an internal FIG Working Group to ensure that the legislative framework and fiscal regime for oil and gas development is appropriate to the needs of the Islands, to ascertain the readiness of FIG to respond to onshore development and to commence a discussion of how potential oil revenues should be utilised – one often asked question is will we be setting up a Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Members then approved the guidelines for Offshore Exploration Licences for distribution among operators looking to submit Field Development Plans as part of their licence requirements.
Approval was given for the Oil Spill Contingency Plan submitted by Falkland Oil & Gas Ltd and a copy of this should be made available in the Public Library.
The establishment of two new posts and the deletion of one in the PWD Highways Section were approved. The new posts are for an Administration Clerk and a Trainee Roads Engineer and the deleted post is that of a Technician Engineer.
Approval was given for the revision of Chapter 4 of the management Code to be released to the Governor for him to obtain the necessary endorsements, from the Secretary of State, to allow formal implementation of the new Chapter. This process is required under Clause 85.3 of the Constitution for ‘any amendment of the Management Code that affects the discipline or removal of public officers’.
Confirmation was then given for the Public Services Development Framework as the approach to determining the future of public services in the Falklands. This will be looking into what areas can be privatised either wholly, partially or in some cases not at all. The protection of staff transferrals in the event of a service being outsourced will also be addressed.
Finally approval was given for David Roberts to be appointed to the Transport Advisory Committee as a East Falkland Mainland representative and Owen Betts as a Town representative, both appointments will last for two years.
The meeting concluded around 1.15pm.
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