Ascension : Press Release From The Governor
Submitted by The Islander (Public Relations Information Office) 16.07.2009 (Article Archived on 30.07.2009)

You may remember that I visited the UK back in January, and at that time I made a point, in the interests of open and transparent government, of telling you what I was going to be doing.

FORTHCOMING LONDON VISIT

You may remember that I visited the UK back in January, and at that time I made a point, in the interests of open and transparent government, of telling you what I was going to be doing. I also reported to you while I was there and when I returned. I leave for the UK today (Friday 10^th) and I intend to report in the same manner as before.

I have almost two full days on Ascension and we will be holding a Public Meeting about the airport consultation (Sharon Wainwright will be with me), as well as having an Island Council meeting. I hope to arrive in the UK on Wednesday next and to enjoy a holiday as well as working over the next two months.

Many of my meetings will be alongside Kedell who is a real pleasure to work with. Her ability to represent us in the UK should never be underestimated. I will of course spend significant time with the FCO, where I am sure we will cover all of the current issues that impact on this Island. I will be meeting the new Minister, Chris Bryant and I have particularly asked for a full briefing on the contentious passport issue because Saints are not always treated as British when travelling on a St.Helenan passport.

Many hours will also be spent at DfID, where I will also be meeting the Minister, Mike Foster, as well as discussing details with the Overseas Territory team there.

The subject of fishing is very much on my agenda as I have meetings with Dick Beales our call-down consultant, and with Ian Thompson, the Chairman of Argos. I have received several encouraging briefings recently on the subject of our fishery and we could be poised on the threshold of a significant change for the better – more of this I hope on my return.

Still on the subject of the sea, I will be holding discussions about shipping and sea access. A report on the Saint Helena Line that was prepared by Julian Morris back in November of last year has not yet been followed through thoroughly and I will be discussing that report with Julian, with SHL and with Andrew Weir Ltd. as well as with DfID. At today’s INFOLEGCO I was provided with helpful advice by Councillors that I will be able to take in to those meetings.

The telecoms consultancy report with the recommendations regarding tendering will also be the subject of a meeting with its author, Chris Doyle, as well as with Cable and Wireless, where I hope to meet Adam Dunlop who is responsible in London, among other things, for Cable & Wireless’s operation here.

We will be having a visit here shortly from Catherine Leach. Catherine is the tourism expert who put together the final form of the Tourism Destination Marketing Report that went to the DfID Secretary of State prior to the “pause”. I was very impressed by her work at that time and will be meeting her prior to her visit here. I know that many of you who support the (b) option in the Consultation have doubts about the tourism numbers that have been forecast by Atkins. When she comes here you will have the chance to get her views at first hand – I certainly intend to do so.

Thinking about the Consultation brings me to mention the fact that I will be seeing Rosemary Stephenson and doubtless get her update as to how the process of consultation is progressing. I am sure that the airport question will be raised during most of my meetings and I will be finding out if there are any new ideas about funding. It is of particular importance that anything discussed should make good sense in terms of the overall benefit to the Island.

Shelco have been very patient during the lengthy delay of the airport and I will be meeting with them to get a feel for their level of patience at present.

I have also arranged a meeting with our Banking Adviser and Regulator, Alan Savary, as well as with the coffee importers that I met with on my last visit.

On a rather more personal note I will be meeting Mrs.Debbie Stroud in London. As some of you will know, Debbie is returning to the Island to become the Residence Manager at Plantation House. It will be interesting for both of us to meet each other, as in her role we will obviously be working closely together.

There are many other meetings not yet arranged that I will be able to firm up on once I am in the UK.

My planned return date is 12^th September and I look forward to coming back refreshed for the challenges that always seem to lie ahead.

A.M.Gurr
Governor
10^th July 2009