www.sams.sh THE South Atlantic Media Services, Ltd. Vol. 9,SENTINEL Issue 50 - Price: £1 “serving St Helena and her community worldwide” Thursday 18 March 2021 185 people vote for ministerial system in lowest voter turnout yet 371 valid votes cast in Wednesday’s Governance Reform poll Covid Year in Review: One year since borders closed Government Landlord House rents go up, eligibility capped for first time Understanding the companies behind the 105-acre development coming back out for public consultation Marine Awareness Week All ESH, Tourism work streams now being taken over directly by SHG 2 www.sams.sh Thursday 18 March 2021 | THE SENTINEL THE SENTINEL | Thursday 18 March 2021 www.sams.sh 3 OPINION YOUR LETTERS ST HELENA NEWS Is this why those in highest power are have unanswered questions. The doing nothing to increase our shockingly silence is deafening. SENTINEL low levels of voter engagement – the GLH rents to increase from April 1 actual foundation of a democracy – but It is all too easy to pass legislation are instead pushing ahead with other and hand control of the island’s Eligibility capped for the first time ever, at £25,000 agendas? only fish processing facility and COMMENT Cyril (Ferdie) Gunnell, SAMS But hey, a colony by any other name Andrew Turner, SAMS the “exploitation” of our natural would smell as sweet… resources to South African to afford private-sector rents. well as the tenants’ incomes. Despite having changed what it says commercial interests. However, Following a consultation period He said that when tenants The policy says this system on our coins, this island is still The you did give a public undertaking with Government Landlord House appear to no longer need social allows the Housing Office to raise Colony of St Helena. The following letter was that all our businesses would be (GLH) tenants in 2020, SHG from housing, “we encourage them to revenue while also protecting the The Encyclopaedia Britannica still uses the word “colony” in its provided by the authors for safeguarded by “airtight” clauses April will increase all GLH rents. move on.” most vulnerable tenants. definition of St Helena. The Governor is publicaion in The Sentinel: in any licenses or legislation. GLH rents were last increased Some tenants’ rents are GLH renters told The Sentinel still appointed by the Queen. St Helena Nothing in your Press Release of more than seven years ago. supported by the Income Related that some weekly rents would is listed under “Colonial Countries Members of Executive Council Friday, o5th March 2021 or indeed Whilst most expected their rents Benefits system. Some GLHs increase by £2, some by £4 and and Peoples,” according to the United The Castle the STC Articles of Incorporation to increase this year, some tenants are occupied by a single person others would increase from £15 Nations. Despite SHG’s best efforts to prevent Jamestown indicates that undertaking was say they view the increases as despite having room for more, to £51 a week for a one bedroom, anyone calling St Helena a “colony,” 10th March 2021 actually honoured. Perhaps we are “over the top.” and SHG appears to have no and from £80 a month to £246 for the colonial attitudes of those holding simply mistaken, and if so now is Social & Community system is in place for addressing a three-bedroom. The Sentinel power over St Helena have been Dear Members of Executive the time to grant us an audience Development Committee (SCDC) these situations. queried these numbers with the highlighted better than ever over the Council, “They prefer to stay where they Deputy Head of Property. last few years – no more so than in the for full and frank discussion on Chairperson Cllr Tony Green and latest push to change our system of all relevant matters especially the Deputy Head of Property Nikita are,” the Deputy Head of Property She said these figures probably governance. Request to meet urgently safeguards you have put in place. Crowie went live on SAMS Radio said. either arose if a tenant did not Cllr Russell Yon’s revelation this week We the undersigned commercial Another Yellowfin Tuna peak 1 last week to answer questions The SCDC considered three supply full income details for that the FCDO will be deciding whether fishermen are taking the unusual season inshore has rol led around provided by concerned tenants. options for a rent rise: proper assessment; or if a tenant Wednesday’s poll is valid (see page 4) shows just how blatantly colonial the step of contacting you by with numerous fish in the 30kg The SCDC oversees and approves 1) Fixed-percentage rise over all has been correctly place in the whole process is. way of this hand delivered letter bracket at present. Prime fish that all charges relating to social and properties; higher income/rent bracket. Sure, we get to vote – but the UK gets and also by submitting a copy for are the foundation our businesses community services on-island 2) A three-tier system; or For anyone who feels their to decide whether that vote actually local press publication . were built on and our hope for – it was the SCDC therefore that 3) A fixed-percentage charge income was not assessed counts. The reason is simply that future prosperity. You took that approved a new charging policy based on tenants’ incomes. properly, “the weekly rent will And of course, it was never an actual ‘vote’ in the first place, but simply a without public involvement there prosperity away a year ago and the for GLH accommodation. Cllr The first option was deemed change if the Housing Office ‘poll’ to gauge public opinion. So if the is some doubt that you will give responsibility to replace it lies at Green said all 12 councillors were unfair to lower-paid tenants, as receives the necessary supporting UK’s governance reform decision goes fair consideration to our request your door. The challenge is to get aware of the policy. they would be paying a higher documentation,” said the Deputy against the outcome of Wednesday’s for a meeting. We wish to hear it right this time and regenerate It was the Housing Office that portion of their income on rent. Head of Property. poll, they can always say, “Well look, your concept of where the some confidence amongst those established income thresholds The third option was dismissed According to the new policy: you knew from the beginning we didn’t actually have to listen to these votes.” future of our industry lies of u ~ that ris k our lives to put fi by asking each tenant last year due to a possible administrative “If a tenant feels they have Let us not forget that governance and ask relevant questions that sh on your table and contribute to to supply a copy of their bank burden on the Housing Office. been placed in the wrong tier reform has been on the Governor’s concern all of us. Whether we the flourishing economy that has statements and annual tax return. The three-tier system, they can appeal at any point agenda since his plane touched tarmac. signed up to the promoted been promised for many a year. Cllr Green said the Housing comprised of three income bands, during the financial year. The The SHG officials holding highest STC option or held back seeking Pick a date and location, but Office was struggling to provide an was approved. Appeal will be heard by either the office have consistently pushed for it despite constant calls to slow things further clarification, all of us make it soon. acceptable level of maintenance The tiers are £10,000 and below; Head of Property or Director of down, get full public involvement and or service for its tenants due to £10,000-£14,999; and £15,000- Infrastructure & Transport (I&T), do things properly. budgetary constraints. £25,000. who will base the decision solely Should we put this in the context of He said SHG is obligated by an The policy introduces a salary on the income of the applicant. what Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook told the South China Morning Post in a FCDO charging policy to increase cap (£25,000) for the first time, In the event the tenant has been June 27, 2020 article? Namely, that the fees/charges wherever possible. which will restrict eligibility for overcharged, a credit or refund local St Helena Airport vote actually GLHs, Cllr Green said, are social GLHs. will be issued to the tenant. The “was a British decision in the UK”? houses intended for people unable The three-tier rent is based Head of Property or Director of “The quite simple decision that to purchase their own homes or around the size of the homes as I&T’s decision is final.” had to be made – and it wasn’t just an island decision, it was a British decision in the UK – was that the RMS was coming to the end of its economic Ship and plane to arrive next week life for its purpose then,” Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook told the Post. Emma Weaver, SAMS “The airport was seen as essential to from London Stansted; then the week beginning May 10. broaden and diversify the economy, Pat’s Archery will be open to all Thursday 18 March 21 from Both the MV Helena and the staying overnight at St Helena The MV Helena will also be arriving and Britain retains the right to make March Titan Airways charter flight before conducting a shuttle-run to St Helena next week.