FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD:
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CHAMBER TOLD HOW £2MILLION EUROPEAN FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED
By J. Brock (FINN)
FIG’s External Development Officer, Jenny Smith, has told members of the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce how the European Union intend to distribute £2Million to the private sector in the
The £2Million grant was confirmed at a recent discussion forum at the Chamber as well as at the budget session of Legislative Council held at the end of May this year. Funds were granted because the
SODEXHO TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF THE UPLAND GOOSE HOTEL
By J. Brock (FINN)
Sodexho have been awarded the contract to manage the Upland Goose Hotel in Stanley for one year, this according to Roger Spink, Director of the Falkland Islands Company who owns the facility. Following an advertisement that asked for expressions of interest, Sodexho came forward and Mr. Spink said he was pleased to announce the contractor’s appointment. The prepared announcement reads:
“Following our advert in April this year, the Falkland Islands Company are very pleased to have reached agreement with Sodexho, who are well known in the Falklands as an international catering and service provider, to provide a proactive and innovative management service to include all aspects of the running of the Upland Goose Hotel. And, we believe that the international expertise and experience that Sodexho will bring to the Hotel will provide a customer focused service that should exploit the potential of the Hotel and provide an attractive service for the community.”
Though there is a management and business plan, Mr. Spink told FIBS that it was too early to say what they were. However, he did say that the Upland Goose Hotel would reopen on the 1st of September this year.
KOREAN FISHING VESSEL UNDER INVESTIGATION:
Korean vessel, Prima Vera 1 has been brought onto Stanley so Fisheries can carry out an investigation. The vessel arrived into port this morning and will remain here until matters with which Fisheries are unhappy are resolved. Fisheries this morning told us they are not ready to comment on the nature of the investigation at this early stage.
PARENT APATHY THREATENS CHILDCARE PLANS:
Organisers are warning that a scheme to introduce a new childcare facility in Stanley with Government Backing could collapse before it starts for lack of support from parents. The Government has agreed to put up the money to pay for a new nursery building and has even identified the building it wants to buy. But at a meeting on Wednesday night to find committee members to help run the nursery, hardly anyone turned up. One of the organisers, Steve Dent (SD), told me this:
SD: We asked people to join the committee. There were very few. Sue Wilkes has expressed interest to possibly join the committee and Alison Morris had expressed an interest but was unable to attend last night. What we need is people to come along and be part of this group that’s going to form a new childcare centre. People have shouted quite loudly for a new childcare facility. Magically, FIG have found this money that it could put forward to buy a new facility, buy a property and make a childcare centre. We just need the people to run it. I think that people are afraid of the commitment let alone anything else. Basically, it’s a case of go along, have a chat and see what’s involved. There’s a fair chance that if we don’t get people together to form a committee then it won’t go ahead. If it doesn’t go ahead this time, I don’t think we will get as far ahead again.
SG: And, how many people are you looking for?
SD: To be honest, it’s up to the people who form the committee. There will have to be a treasurer – seven or eight people tops – would be able to run something like this. There should be an executive and a few committee members to be part of it.
We had a massive turn-out at our very first meeting. We had more than 50 people there. If we don’t get involved, it will just stop. It will fold. And, if it’s folded, I fear that it will fold for good.
SG: People who volunteer won’t be expected to actually take on childcare jobs. They will be acting as a board for the company, which is set up to run the scheme. Anyone who is interested has another chance to put their names forward or just to find out more about what’s involved by turning up at the Community School Geography Room on Tuesday at 1900.
STANDING FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT:
Standing Finance Committee returned to a number of issues that were brought up at last month’s meeting. These included queries on some departmental budgets. Cllr John Birmingham had requested more information about the medical budget, asking whether KEMH still purchased some rations from MPA. Director of Health and Medical Services, Norman McGregor Edwards told the Committee by letter that questions had been asked about the long-standing agreement by which KEMH was able to purchase rations from MPA Military stores. He said that this had been the subject of discussion over the last few months with a view to reducing KEMH’s dependency on MPA and, in turn, reducing pressure on the MPA supply chain, particularly for fresh fruit. The issue is due to come up at the first meeting of the cost sharing committee, which will meet on the 28th of June. He added that a further report could be provided for a future SFC if needed.
Leisure Centre charges also came under scrutiny this morning before being approved. These new charges include the change to children’s swimming sessions from .20p to .50p. Also included in the new charges are Sports Hall activities for children, which have gone up by .45p to £1.00. Private pool hire is £10.00 per hour initial charge plus .50p per child for up to 20 children, making a total cost of £20.00. with the Aqua-run included, the basic rate rises to £20.00 per hour with all participants charged £1.05. For a party of 20 children, the cost will be £41.00
EXCO:
EXCO yesterday approved regulations to ban motor vehicles from waiting on the north side of Brandon Road between Reservoir Road and Dairy Paddock Road. The rules are intended to make the road safer as part of the Ice Route, especially for emergency vehicles. The Governor is expected to sign the “Brandon Road, No Waiting Regulations Order 2004 “ today. It will come into affect when it is published in the Gazette, probably on Monday. There are some exceptions to the order for temporary parking for people and deliveries and for taxis picking up or dropping off passengers.
ISLAND SHIPPING PROBLEMS:
Lee Hazel spoke to four people on the Camp Road Show Panel. One issue up for discussion was the service offered by Island Shipping. Jan Cheek (JC) talks about farmers’ main concerns.
JC: One of the chief complaints we got was the lack of information. People don’t know when it’s coming. They can’t plan properly on that basis. And, really, though there were mixed views on the Tamar, some welcome flexibility shown by the new company but they really do need to know exactly when it’s coming. They need to be able to contact someone out of hours. I don’t know what’s the problem and whether they can’t contact the ship itself. But there did seem to be a problem with information, which was making it very difficult for people to plan.
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