FINN (COM) DAILY RECORD FOR FRIDAY, 30 APRIL 2004

 

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

 

 

 

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 30 APRIL 2004

 

(Sue Gyford)

 

DO WE REALLY NEED A FULL-TIME MAGISTRATE?

 

That was the question asked by Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee at this morning’s meeting.  The Government is currently in the process of advertising for a new Senior Magistrate to replace Nick Sanders when he leaves at the end of May.  But Cllr. Mike Summers said today that FIG should at least discuss the pros and cons of having a visiting Senior Magistrate with a majority of the cases being heard by Justices of the Peace.  Cllr. Summers said he believed around 90% of the cases heard in the Falklands Court involved pub brawls and driving offences.  He believes JPs are capable of judging such cases.  St. Helena currently has a visiting Magistrate and Ascension Island has just appointed Mr. Sanders, to a similar position.  Cllr. Summers’ comments were supported by a number of his colleagues.

 

OTHER NEWS FROM THE SFC:

 

The market value of investments held in FIG’s consolidated fund at the end of February this year was £80Million 565Thousand.  This was an increase of £5Million 331Thousand, compared to 8 months earlier.  The figures were released in a financial management report to this morning’s meeting.  The report also noted that the closure of the Illex fishery and the consequent possible refund of licence fees means that the fishing licence revenue will be in the range of £12 to £14Million for the 2003/04 season, as opposed to the expected £21Million.

 

Councillors said at the public meeting earlier this week that around £8Million may have to be taken out of the Consolidated fund to assist in covering the cost of Capital Expenditure.  SFC Members also agreed that £1.6Million of remaining EU STABX funding will be used for Rural Development.  That will include spending on the jetties and renewable energy projects as well as the provision of 5 serviced building plots at Goose Green to encourage business development there.

 

Then Members withdrew to the closed part of the meeting to discuss the budget.

 

GETTING READY FOR CHALLENGE DAY:

 

There’s less than a month to go until the annual Challenge Day on May 26^th.  On the day all you have to do is take part in any activity that causes you to become breathless and register your activity with the Leisure Centre to make sure that it counts.   Recreation Manager, Steve Dent, is hoping to see 25% of the population participating.  Just to inspire you. The Leisure Centre will be providing some free sessions including yoga-fit, aqua-aerobics and circuits.  There will also be free access to the swimming pool and exercise machines all day.  There will be a table-tennis tournament in the Community School Street (contact Mandy McKay to play) and a 5-Aside Football match in the Gym at lunchtime.  Contact Chris Biggs with your team names.  Steve says the Social Welfare Department are looking once again at taking the trophy for participation, closely followed by the Environmental Planning Office with an Around the Harbour Marathon and the Secretariat with a mad dash to the rapidly disappearing Jhellum.  To register your activity, contact Steve on 27284 or 27285 or e-mail him on: [email protected]. 

 

SOUTH GEORGIA FISHERY:

 

Fishing vessels have been heading from the Islands towards South Georgia for a few days now in readiness for the beginning of the Toothfish Season there, which kicks off tomorrow (01 May). 

 

NEW CD FROM TOURISM:

 

Falkland Islands Tourism have launched a new CD Rom to promote the Islands as a destination.  The CD updates an earlier version with its lay-out by Gentoo Designs.  It includes a video, virtual tour and links to the tourism website.  Along with stunning pictures of the local wildlife and landscapes, there are plugs for local businesses, including hotels, lodges, restaurants and pubs, along with details of many of the activities tourists can enjoy if they visit the Islands.

 

DAWN CHORUS WITH A DIFFERENCE:

 

You may not be aware that this Sunday is International Dawn Chorus Day.  There might not be any songbirds in Antarctica but scientists at the British Antarctic Survey’s Halley Research Station will be listening to a very different kind of dawn chorus.  Each morning as the earth and its atmosphere turn towards the sun, very low frequency radio waves produced in space travel down to the ground where they can be heard using a simple radio receiver.  The BAS crew say that when these are converted into audible sound waves, they are remarkably like birdsong and, for this reason, they were named “dawn chorus” when they were discovered in the mid 20^th century.  But there is more to these phenomena than just strange sounds.  Dr. Andy Smith and his colleagues at BAS believe they are behind the accelerating power behind so called “killer electrons” that damage communications satellites during space storms.  Scientists at Halley record chorus waves in an attempt to understand space weather processes.  The ability to anticipate magnetic storms could help insurance, telecommunications and aerospace industries to better protect spacecraft costing upwards of $200Million.

 

(100X Transcription Service)