Ascension : Administrator’s Report on the Island Council Meeting held Tuesday 30th March 2010
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 15.04.2010 (Article Archived on 29.04.2010)
The Island Council met in formal session on 30 March at 1400 in the Council Chambers. The Governor joined us by teleconference link. Apologies were received from the Attorney General and Councillor Miller.
Administrator’s Report on the Island Council Meeting held Tuesday 30th March 2010
The Island Council met in formal session on 30 March at 1400 in the Council Chambers. The Governor joined us by teleconference link. Apologies were received from the Attorney General and Councillor Miller.
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March were agreed. Action points from that meeting were briefly discussed under Matters Arising.
Following the recent decision to amend the Road Safety legislation the possibility of introducing a points system was put forward as it was thought this might allow first time or border line offenders to escape disqualification or be disqualified for a lesser period e.g., 6 months. However Crown Counsel explained that sentencing is at the discretion of the magistrates and that the law states that the court shall make an order of disqualification for a period of at least 12 months. The court is already able to consider any special factors in the disqualification proviso. It was also suggested that implementation of the agreed changes to the law be postponed until improved transportation was available. However while there was support for e.g., a better taxi service, as a separate issue, it was felt that the legislation had been held up long enough and should be enacted with effect from 1 May 2010, as agreed at the previous meeting.
Proposed amendments to the Harbour Regulations were then discussed. These would make it clear that the master of a vessel is required to establish radio contact and ask permission before entering the harbour, and also before laying down moorings or anchoring; and increase the penalties that are currently very low by modern standards. References to vessel operators being “unfit” through drink or drugs would be made clearer by the adoption of specific breath/blood/urine limits, in line with St Helena’s Ordinance and to facilitate prosecution in these cases. These amendments were approved and the Governor advised that the Regulations now be enacted.
Council then discussed the commercial proposal from Pobjoy Mint to produce and market Ascension Island commemorative coins on our behalf. This follows the suggestion that such a proposal should include provision for these coins also to be sold through mail order or e-commerce, as well as other outlets such as on St Helena. That would carry a commercial risk, whereas the existing proposal has Pobjoy carrying all the risk which is therefore beneficial to us. But on balance it was felt that the option should exist and therefore Pobjoy will be asked to amend their proposal. In practice this is unlikely to make any difference, at least in the short term, as there is currently no plan for government to get involved in sales and marketing itself.
We then considered a proposal from the police Inspector for weights and measures legislation to be drafted and enacted. This would ensure that businesses selling items by weight would have their scales checked periodically to ensure accuracy. Council felt that given other priorities we should instead continue to rely on the St Helena Ordinance.
The question of selling commercial fishing licenses was then discussed. The recent patrol by Argos Georgia had highlighted the incidence of illegal, unlicensed and unreported fishing in our waters, and had prompted enquiries from companies wishing to buy licenses to fish. Having already discussed the benefits of a regional approach to fisheries across all three islands it was suggested that we now proceed with the sale of licenses, which could be processed through St Helena’s fisheries department for a handling or admin fee. That department already has the systems and personnel in place to handle this. It was suggested that the Administrator now approach St Helena’s Senior Fisheries Officer, to take this forward.
The draft Noise Ordinance was then considered. This would enable the Police to deal with noise nuisance complaints more effectively. The noise measuring equipment that the Police have for this purpose would be operated at the place where the complaint had issued from, and the initial suggestion is to set the acceptable noise level at 35 decibels. Councillors were invited to a demonstration of the equipment. Concern was expressed that the rules and regulations should not inflict a slow death on people’s social life. There is however no wish to stop music being played, but to aim for an acceptable level for all members of the community, as occasionally noise levels increased to uncomfortable levels into the early hours. Public views will be sought on this issue before legislation is passed.
Crown Counsel then circulated a draft Code of Conduct for Council members. This seemed generally acceptable with one or two minor amendments. However views would also be sought from absent members.
Under AOB the Administrator informed Council that he had received an invitation from the Premier of Bermuda to attend a pre-OTCC (Overseas Territories Consultative Council) meeting there in June along with representatives from other Overseas Territories, together with a delegation. Financial circumstances of course don’t permit this to be considered. Instead the Administrator suggested that representatives from the South Atlantic territories might come to Ascension for a pre-OTCC meeting ahead of the main OTCC meeting in December. Members agreed this was a good idea and should be pursued.
There was discussion about the election provisions within the Island Government (Ascension) Ordinance. Was a Council of 7 elected members (and a minimum of 8 nominations to allow an election to be held) too many as there are now fewer people on the island? Under the present law if there were only 7 nominations then those 7 would automatically form a Council without an election being held. This seemed unhealthy as the public would not have had a chance to express any choice through an election and the Council would have no real mandate beyond its own nominations and those who had seconded their nominations. Consideration ought therefore to be given to an alternative approach, for example with 8 or more nominations allowing a Council of 7 members, while 7 or 6 nominations would allow elections for a Council consisting of 5 elected members. Council will consider this further in subsequent meetings.
Also under AOB was a request from a member of public for consideration to be given to holding Council meetings outside working hours as many people worked on the island and couldn’t always get away for meetings in working hours. It was pointed out that the Governor calls the meetings and the timing has to suit not only his arrangements and other commitments but also those of the other Council members. It was noted that early evening meetings have been held in the past by the current Council but very few members of the public had attended. There had however been members of the public at a number of recent meetings held within working hours. The purpose of the radio broadcasts and subsequent statement in the Islander, introduced from the start of the current Council of course serve to let the public know what is being discussed in the Council meetings. And members of the public are free to consult any Councillor if they wish to learn more or express their views on topics. A suggestion that the agenda be promulgated along with the notices of meetings will be followed up.
There was also a request for the size of entry control stamps for the employment category to be made smaller as these take up half a page in a passport, leading to passports needing replacement sooner. This will be looked into.
In the Closed Session Council considered a business case for a catering business. And Council will shortly hold its first informal meeting to consider possible changes to the tax regime for the island. Council also considered the legal advice that had been provided on the government’s case against one of the major taxpayers for tax debts owed. This advice was positive and also established that should legal action prove necessary, the case would be heard in a St Helena court rather than a UK one as the St Helena Supreme Court has jurisdiction. However we understand that Ministers are still in discussion over a possible satisfactory solution to this issue and we hope legal action will prove unnecessary. I clearly cannot go into more detail than that at this stage.
The Governor reported that the visit of the Queen Mary 2 to St Helena had been a huge success. And also that a public meeting would be held on St Helena on 8 April to discuss the future of the RMS following Sue Wardell’s suggestion that the current monopoly for the RMS to carry freight could be removed.
The meeting closed at 16:55
Ross Denny
Administrator
|
