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Administrator takes the helm for his last year
Administrator David Morley and his wife Jacki arrived aboard MV Baltic Trader from Cape Town on Sunday 4th October after what he described as an 'unpleasant trip'. David starts his final year as Tristan da Cunha Administrator, taking over the helm from Acting Administrator and Chief Islander Conrad Glass who has been in charge since 17th July.
David understands that the FCO will be interviewing potential candidates to take up the Tristan Administration post from September 2010 in the week beginning 12th October.
Tristan's Chief Islander,Conrad Glass with his wife Sharon left Tristan aboard SA Agulhas on 7th October, en route to England. Conrad will embark on further police training with the Bedfordshire force, and also attend the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Conference in London 17th-19th October.

Enhanced status and a Bill of Rights in Tristan's new constitution
Tristan da Cunha has enhanced its international status by virtue of its new constitutional title. Formerly part of the UK's Overseas Territory of St Helena and Dependencies, the Overseas Territory will now be called St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Even though the Territory's Governor will be resident on St Helena, the new constitution gives equal weight to detailed provisions for Tristan da Cunha, which encompass a bill of rights for its citizens.

Tristan's Chief Islander Conrad Glass comments :

'This is a very important step for the people of Tristan da Cunha. The Council and I feel honoured to have been given the responsibility to participate in making this decision. At a time when there are many changes taking place in our society, Tristanians are comforted knowing at last they have a constitution that protects our human rights, while governing our way of life.
As we look forward to a brighter future, Tristanians know they have the right to review the constitution, through the offices of the council and Chief Islander - thus retaining an independence on how they wished to be governed.'

The new St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 was welcomed by Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant who in a press release said :

'The UK has worked openly and constructively with the Councils on the three islands to ensure that the new Constitution will serve those islands well in the future.
The previous constitution came into operation in 1988 and reflects a very different world. The new Constitution, on the other hand, is one fit for the 21st Century.
For the first time it includes a bill of rights; it also introduces a number of important limits on the Governor's power; and there will be separate chapters for the three islands allowing for far greater clarity about the respective roles of the institutions on the three islands. It represents the kind of modern partnership that we seek with all our Overseas Territories.
I believe this is good news for all those who live on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and I look forward to working with them under these new arrangements.'

 See the separate Constitution Page for details, Island Council Page to see how the Constitution effects Council
and Tristan in Parliament Page for further details and a link to the full transcript.

Chief Islander acting Administrator during leave
Chief islander Conrad Glass was sworn in as Acting Administrator on 17th July 2009, prior to Administrator David Morley's departure on leave aboard MV Edinburgh on 19th July.
Precautions to prevent the introduction of Swine Flu to Tristan da Cunha

Announcement from Administrator David Morley on 11th May 2009

Like every other Overseas Territory, the Tristan Government has been reviewing its readiness to deal with the threat posed by swine flu.  At the moment we judge the risk to be low, but The Medical Officer and I will continue to take every measure we judge appropriate in order to protect the community's health.
 
This year's visit by the Agulhas will need careful consideration.  All passengers should check with us nearer the time to see if any special measures have been introduced. 
 
More generally, everyone planning to visit Tristan should be aware that our MO checks passenger health before authorising them to disembark from their ship.  The worst case scenario is that anyone who is ill. and is judged to carry a risk to the community will be required to stay aboard the ship.
 
More specific advice and guidance will be available nearer the time of the Agulhas' departure.
Latest News Review
Tristan Government Update from David Morley on 27th April 2009

Including : New Head of PWD and Governor's Visit in 2010

New Post Office and Police Station
The Baltic Trader (presently anchored off the Settlement) contains aggregate for the new buildings' foundations, which are due to be completed by the end of the year.  Unfortunately this will have to stay on the Trader as she needs a bit of help with ballasting problems so the aggregate will have to stay aboard for the return trip.  But this should not cause any delays as we get it back later this year.
 

Strategic Development Plan

Tristan now has a draft 7-year Strategic Development Plan.  Thanks to great work by visiting consultant Julian Morris, the Island Council was able to put this together itself.  A consultation process is now under way, and the Plan should be complete well before the end of the year.

Left : Photo from David Morley shows Julian with Big Point behind and a view looking west towards Pigbite and the Settlement Plain

 

 

Government Reform

Steven Catchpole is our latest consultant.  Steven is here to review the public service structure and processes for effectiveness, efficiency, affordability and capacity.  His recommendations will result in streamlined and improved performance and service delivery in line with best value principles.  I imagine it will take a little while to make the changes, which will be reflected in the Strategic Development Plan.

Right : Photo from David Morley shows Steven outside the Government Building.

 

New Head of PWD

South African Henning Myburg has been appointed as Head of the Tristan Public Works Department.   An experienced marine engineer and qualified diver, Henning has spent many years working for the South African Police Service (SAPS) where he has gained solid experience on anti poaching work as well as a range of marine and nautical projects. Henning will take up his appointment in August, accompanied by his wife Linda.

Left: Photo from David Morley shows Henning in the Tristan village

 

Tourism

The season is over and tourism looks like being Tristan's success story this year.  We are on track to hit £100,000 of tourism revenue.  Not all of this will accrue to Government, but overall this is a great result for the community.  Partly due to kind weather but also because of the implementation of a sound and practical strategy. 

Foreign Office Visit

Rob Harrison, Tristan Desk Officer, will visit (aboard the MV Edinburgh) for familiarisation purposes.  Rob is the first visitor from the FCO since 2007.

Governor's visit

Mr Andrew Gurr, accompanied by his wife Jean, will visit Tristan in January 2010, aboard the RFA Wave Ruler.  The first visit by the Governor since 2006.  Mr Gurr is likely to be accompanied by a senior official from the UK Department for International Development (DfID).
 
Administrator

David himself will have a well-deserved leave from July-September.  Connie Glass will as usual be Acting Administrator.
Governor and Attorney General visits postponed
The planned visits of St Helena Governor Andrew Gurr and Attorney General Ken Baddon, (see reports below) have been postponed. The last visit by a St Helena Governor was by Mike Clancy who helped mark the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of the island when he visited on the Tristan Association RMS St Helena Cruise in February 2006. There has never been a visit to Tristan by a serving Attorney General.
The planning of regular St Helena - Tristan da Cunha visits have been made more difficult as annual trips from St Helena by the RMS St Helena, started in 1985, were curtailed after the 2004 journey. Mike Clancey travelled aboard the RMS St Helena on the special 2006 Quincentenary Cruise to Tristan organised by the Tristan da Cunha Association. The Association has been trying to commission a similar cruise, but unfortunately the RMS St Helena has been unavailable.

16.63 million Euros for St Helena , Ascension and Tristan

Administrator David Morley issued the following Public Notice
to the Tristan da Cunha community on 3rd February 2009

The European Union has earmarked 16.63 million Euros, which amounts to more than £15.5 million, at the current exchange rate, from the European Development Fund for St Helena and its Dependencies. St Helena , Ascension and Tristan have received EDF funding in the past, but this is the largest amount of money they have been awarded at any one time. Dr Corinda Essex, Chief Development Officer, described this as excellent news.

For St Helena , this will allow for the crucial development of a safer landing facility (including breakwater, slip way and sheltered landing area) and improved sea defences in James Bay . It will also provide funds for major road rehabilitation and the establishment of a preventative road maintenance programme.

Ascension Island will benefit from road upgrading, and monies will be awarded to Tristan da Cunha for further harbour improvements; investigation of alternative energy potential; upgrading of water, waste management and electricity distribution infrastructure; and capacity building relating to the management of the lobster industry.

St Helena was the first of all Overseas Territories to submit its detailed 130+ page bid for funding and the Development and Economic Planning Department was congratulated by the EU on the quality of this document.

The bid will now be looked at by various officials in the EU before final approval is given to release the funding. It is expected that funding will become available in 2010.

DJ Morley, Administrator, 3rd February 2009

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This page first published April 2009