Executive Council June Report

GOVERNOR’S REPORT ON MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THURSDAY 24 JUNE 2004

Executive Council dealt as usual with a wide-ranging agenda at its meeting on 24 June.

There were several items for car drivers, which I guess means most of you.  A new set of yellow lines will be appearing, at the west end of Jersey Road, in order to prevent parking which obscures the view of oncoming traffic.  Parking is to be stopped on the north side of Brandon Road, in order to ensure that fire engines and ambulances are able to pass freely.  This is particularly important in winter because Brandon Road forms part of the western ice route.  The new regulations for the wearing of seat belts have caused a number of practical difficulties.  EXCO therefore decided to establish a working group to consider this and come up with solutions.  And there is news of a new road on the East.  EXCO approved the route for the road to be constructed to Murrell Farm and the regulations for its construction. 

EXCO considered a number of legislative items.  It was decided that the Customs Ordinance 2003 should be brought into force from 1 July 2004.  The Ordinance contains comprehensive legislation on customs matters and was passed by Legislative Council last year, but various regulations and other preparations had to be made before it could come into force.  The Ship and Port Facility (Security) Bill was approved for consideration by Legislative Council.  This provides for the introduction of new security measures for shipping and the port, in order to enable the Falkland Islands to comply with new international measures designed to combat terrorism.  It is important for the cruise ship industry that the Falklands should be able to comply with these new international standards.  Some minor amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations and to the Highways (Weights Limits) Ordinance were also approved, the latter for consideration by Legislative Council in due course.

There was some discussion of the arrangements for permanent disability benefits for civil servants.  EXCO agreed that revised arrangements should be brought into effect.  Notice of the change will be served on the all the civil servants affected.  EXCO decided that the practice whereby prisoners are provided with Retirement Pension Contribution Credits should be discontinued with effect from 1 July this year.

EXCO had another look at the complex issues involved in applications to join the priority waiting list for Government building plots from people who are separated from their partner but who retain an interest in their former home.  It was decided that the policy should be as follows.  Where a married or unmarried couple own a property jointly, and the relationship breaks down, either party to the relationship should be permitted to join the priority waiting list, subject to two provisos.  First, that they have Falkland Islands status or a permanent residence permit; and secondly that they are no longer residing in the former home and will eventually have no legal interest in the former home under the terms of a separation or other written agreement between them.

The Falklands Veterans Foundation have applied to be officially recognised as a charity in the Falkland Islands.  EXCO agreed to grant recognition, which means that donations to the Foundation by local residents or companies will be tax deductible.

Next, a couple of items which will be important to anybody with an interest in education.  First, the question of eligibility for higher education awards.  EXCO decided that the eligibility criteria should be changed to read as follows: “The student shall be in possession of Falkland Islands Status and shall be ordinarily resident in the Falkland Islands”.  This is a simplification of the current criteria, which are cumbersome and difficult to verify.  Secondly, EXCO approved a paper setting out the circumstances in which FIG will seek repayment of fees and other costs by students in further or higher education who withdraw from their courses of study before completion.  EXCO noted that most further and higher education students successfully complete their courses.  The paper is being published, and provides clear guidance about the policies which the Education Department will be following.

EXCO considered three issues concerning the operation and structure of Government.  It approved a paper recommending a restructuring of the Secretariat, which should lead to a saving in expenditure of nearly £60,000, completed a series of reviews of the Social Work Department, and noted recent developments in the new Training Unit.

The Senior Veterinary Officer had submitted a paper on the hydatid disease situation, which noted the significant steps made in controlling the disease since the high levels of the 1960’s and 70’s.  EXCO noted the paper and approved the continuation for the time being of the current strategy.

Finally, an important item for all travellers and visitors to the Falklands.  EXCO decided in principle that a Quarantine Declaration Form should in future be completed by everybody arriving in the Islands from overseas, whether by air or by sea.  This is an important measure to help maintain the largely disease free status of the Islands’ agriculture.  There is further work to be done on the form, which should however be introduced shortly.