Ascension : MEETING OF THE ASCENSION ISLAND COUNCIL HELD ON 26 June 2006
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 06.07.2006 (Current Article)

The meeting was opened by Governor Clancy via teleconference link and extended his congratulation to Mrs Raxa Sukhtankar on her award of an OBE.

MEETING OF THE ASCENSION ISLAND COUNCIL HELD ON 26 June 2006
As reported by Georgie Benjamin

The meeting was opened by Governor Clancy via teleconference link and extended his congratulation to Mrs Raxa Sukhtankar on her award of an OBE. From the matters arising the Attorney General (AG), via teleconference link, referred to the back log of Ascension Island Legislation and informed Council that these issues are now being tackled.  The AG will reopen work done last year regarding the revision of the Ascension Island Election Law and will raise issues for discussion with Council.  The Application of English Law will be brought about early next year.  Funding for the Fisheries Project; The Administrator informed Council this project is going ahead having been in touch with the Company who previously agreed to do the work and that the cost will be as previously estimated.  Telecommunications Review The report which is with the Administrator who, on behalf of the Governor, sounded out Councillors who may have a conflict of interest and will decide by the end of this week who should have sight of this report.

Councillors will be discussing the Role of Council and Councillors with the independent Adviser Frank Savage; The Governor stated that the question of Democracy and Autonomy can also be discussed.  Councillor Henry stressed that if Ascension is to have democracy and there is plenty of scope to work democratically, Council should not have to work with their hands tied as they are in effect being gagged.  He further commented on the non publication of the Island Council Public Meeting Minutes and that Government is trying to take away Councillor’s freedom of speech. Councillor Henry went on to say that the Governor should discuss rather than write letters and belittle Councillors.

The Governor replied that he does not see this as gagging and considers the reading of the Island Council Ordinance is that Council is there to advise and work as a team. Council should not be run as a corporate existence with out the Governor being involved.  He went on to say that because of the contingency liability to the UK Government, Ascension Island cannot have complete autonomy or an independent Council.

The AG explained that if individual communications are sent directly to FCO or Westminster the letters cannot be responded to until the Governor has passed such communications on together with his views.  The AG said that Councillors on Ascension and St Helena are treated alike.  The Governor stressed that he wishes to work together with Councillors on Ascension and share objectives about improving life on Ascension.

Housing/Accommodation & Premises for Businesses Policy;  the Administrator has yet to receive comments from Councillors who were reluctant to submit their views without first reading the draft Strategic Plan however as they now have the draft plan and comments will be submitted accordingly.  The gate to be installed near the Cattle Grid at entrance to North East and the signs to be erected at a high risk area in Two Boats Village are being made. The Administrator is having various options costed regarding the Two Boats Sports Field.

The Administrator has liaised with DTMA who are positive in moving forward regarding Ascension taking over the Air Ticketing system.  Baggage Allowance Administrator informed Council that FCO is looking at a Joint Policy Statement with MOD. Information will be forwarded to Councillors relating to Civilian Flights to Ascension.

The Director of Financial Services (DFS) informed Council that she has made a budgetary note of pupils who have applied for tertiary education at Chichester College and is awaiting the exam results.  The DFS will publish the 2006/7 Budget in next weeks Islander paper.

Capital Works Programme A Memorandum was presented to Council by the Director of Technical Services (DTS) together with the AIG Capital Works Programme 2006/7.  DTS explained that there is no planned completion date for some projects as it is too early to give an assurance on the turn out but hopes to complete programmes within budget.  DFS confirmed that money raised from Revenue covers the day to day expenditure and the Capital Works Programme is for projects only. DTS informed Council that goods and materials have now been procured for fully planned works. Resource profiles will be finalised as the year progresses and he intends to initiate strict resource monitoring procedures and expects to report increasingly refined projections of the programme.

Councillor Cundy queried the cost of four patios for the West Link Houses totalling £29,000 over £7,000 for each patio. DTS replied that materials are expensive and for sand alone it cost £50 per ton and £150 to ship over but  this is where resource monitoring comes into its own. No new money is being spent on these patios as the cost will come from money left over at the last financial year. Councillor Bennett queried the amount of £43,000 set aside to upgrade offices as he recalled that this project was vetoed at the last Finance Meeting. DFS said that this project was given a low priority but would check this out.

DTS said that the Carpenter’s Workshop and Fire Station upgrading is likely to slip this year but would press ahead on the projects on an as is basis to push work forward when spare labour is available.  Council considered that completion dates should be brought forward to allow monies to be spent on something else.  Councillor Leo commended the information published in the Islander showing what the workers are doing.

The AG sort Councils approval on an amendment to the Road Traffic Ordinance relating to Failure to Stop and Report (after) a Road Traffic Accident. This will bring the Ascension Law in line with St Helenian Law.  Council agreed provided Quad Bike legislation is included as well as an amendment to the granting of a provisional license for a 650cc motorcycle.

Draft Terms of Reference (TOR); Medical & Health Services  Councillors have received a copy of the TOR for a consultant to carry out a Strategic Review on the Island.  Councillor Jones referred to the benchmarking of AIG medical costs against a similar size population and stressed that an isolated Island ups the expenses of medical costs compared to a similar size population within the UK.  He also queried a recommendation on how revenue for treatment/prescriptions might contribute to cost reductions.  The Governor recalled that Councillors wanted to know the general cost and charges for a prescription.  Councillor Jones stated that he was not aware of this but if that is the intention of AIG it is in conflict with employee’s contract whereby people who hold contracts are not required to pay any medical charges.  It was agreed that an amendment be made to the TOR to reflect this. The Governor asked Council if this draft as amended reflects what Council originally asked for regarding value for money. Funding for this review is not available now but it is expected to be completed in 2007.

Ascension Island Draft Strategic Plan (DSP) 2006/10   The Administrator advised Council that when compiling the plan he took the basic text from the plan produced in 2003/4 together with FCO’s  recent conclusion regarding the perimeters and drafted from there.  He then invited Councillors to comment and send in there written comments for further discussion.  Councillor Bennett commented that within the DSP a lot of emphasis is on AIG and considered that it needs to be broader than AIG.  The Governor responded that it is usually SHG who would initiate this plan but cannot plan for other users as they may have their own ideas on how their Companies should run.  Councillor Henry considered that the starting point is a public consultation period as this is a living document and not just for Government. There is a lot of emphasis placed on UK Policy, however Human Rights are limited and not in accordance with the White Paper.  The Governor agreed to a point but wished Council to be comfortable with the main concepts of the draft and then go to the FCO for their views as the previous plan never went down that line.

Councillor Leo referred to FCO perimeters and suggested that an amendment be made in the event of change of future UK Governments in that they may have different views. Apart from that he had no objection to this draft.  It was agreed that Governments current Policy be inserted where applicable.  Council stressed that the development of tourism within the UK Government should be recognised as an important part of life on Ascension and to allow existing and new businesses to expand.  Council asked what kind of communication they will have with FCO.  The Governor proposed that when Council/Administrator has discussed this further he will request FCO to have dialogue with Council from the start. Council agreed that written comments be forward, and an informal meeting with the Administrator after which the DSP will be sent to FCO but that Government has not agreed the Strategic Plan until after the public consultation period.

The Governor informed Council that the Overseas Territories Consultative Council will be held on 23/27 November this year and asked Council to select one member to attend. The Governor wishes to know what type of issues will be raised. Councillor Henry attended last year and it was a good opportunity to meet with all officials. The European Commission has approved from the European Development Fund a joint financial support to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to improve sea passenger travelling facilities and port operations. Views will also be sort from other Agencies regarding any improvement initiatives at the passenger terminal Wideawake Airfield. Ascension Island will receive £495,000 paid in stages of two financial years.

Councillor Bennett proposed that the RMS consider running shuttle trips ASC/SH return for seven days rather than the current twenty days to allow residence to visit St Helena for a shorter period of time.

To encourage locally grown products on Ascension Councillor Leo asked if Government will consider the possibility of preparing the Garden Club area and providing a Shade house. One option would be to dismantle the unused Shade house at Green Mountain and reassemble at the Garden Club.  The Administer invited Councillor Leo to send him his written proposal.

The Attorney General informed Council that he will be spending some time on Ascension in September to meet with Council.  His office is now working on all laws of St Helena and when completed he will send electronic copies to Ascension of the revised edition from 2001.

The meeting closed at 7.30 pm.