Ascension : MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE ISLAND COUNCIL ORDINANCE
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 17.04.2008 (Article Archived on 01.05.2008)

During my last visit to the island it became clear that the period of consultation on the future governance of Ascension Island and the election of a new Island Council could not be rushed.

During my last visit to the island it became clear that the period of consultation on the future governance of Ascension Island and the election of a new Island Council could not be rushed. At our Public Meeting it was agreed that we should circulate a document for discussion which set out what an Island Council will do, and that this would be helpful in encouraging people on the island to think about the future.

The document was published in the Islander in February and I am grateful to those people who have written to express their views.  I hope to have further discussions and exchanges when I visit the island again in June.

As May would have been too soon for an election, we have been planning for an election in September or October this year.  I have therefore sought the agreement of the FCO Minister to extend the suspension of the Island Council (Ascension) Ordinance for a further period until the end of October 2008.  I hope that we will all be able to use the next few months to work together towards the restoration of an Island Council.

Andrew Gurr

Governor

14 April 2008