FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: WEDNESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 29 SEPTEMBER 2004
HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE REPORT:
Ay yesterday’s Historic Buildings Committee meeting, a detailed report was submitted on the Goose Green Hall Windows. The Committee had been informed by residents of Goose Green that the windows were in very poor shape. Jane Cameron told me that a survey had been completed and it appears that the windows are fairly sound. She added that when possible, they prefer to refurbish buildings to keep the existing parts. The options to be taken are to be costed before any decisions will be made.
Concern was expressed about applying for planning permission for listed buildings at the Historic Buildings Committee meeting yesterday. Jane Cameron told me after the meeting that when outline planning permission was applied for, people had arranged for material to be sent to the Islands. They then arrive around the time of the detailed planning permission is applied for but not yet granted. She added that this seems to be a fault in the planning permission procedure and some things should be discussed at the outlining stage.
Calafat is a problem on Kepple Island. The Historic Building Committee agreed yesterday that it would approach the Agricultural Department for advice as they have been conducting trials at Island Harbour. Also at the meeting, repairs and decoration to the building known as German Camp on Callaghan Road have been completed satisfactory to the Committee. There is a crack in the brickwork near the chimney and the building was looking pretty disastrous. Jane Cameron says the repairs were carried out by Rob Yessel and finished earlier this month.
COURT NEWS:
Former FIBS News Editor, Lee Hazell, has been given two years’ probation and a two-year driving ban after pleading guilty to a drink driving charge. She appeared in Court this morning, also charged with driving without insurance and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The charges related to an incident that happened on the 11th of September. Senior Magistrate, Claire Faulds, sitting with JPs, told the defendant that her inclination was towards a custodial sentence but it was decided that the impact would be too great, saying that probation is not a soft option, as it will restrict her personal freedom, with the intention being that working with the probation officer will help the defendant change her ways and protect the public from future harm. The sentence covered all three charges. Miss Hazell will also have her driving licence endorsed in relation to the offence and was ordered to pay £70.00 costs.
CONSULTANTS:
Two New Zealand consultants will be arriving over the weekend to review Falklands import procedures in issues relating to bio-security. John Halstrom and Bruce Simpson will be arriving in the Islands on Saturday for two weeks of meetings to review the procedures in place and make recommendations to the Government. Steve Pointing, from the Department of Agriculture, said that bio-security is making sure that plants and animal diseases are not brought into the Islands. They can arrive on animal products, clothing and vehicles and equipment. There are already procedures in place for importing into the Islands but the consultants will advise whole Government Departments, mainly the Department of Agriculture, Customs and Immigration and Environmental Planning, to work together more efficiently. Steve says the current system works theoretically but not in practice but in practice, not as well as they could. There is concern about accidental introduction of non-native species to the Islands that are not already here, to stop pests competing with native species. This has happened in the past but the end of these regulations is to prevent it in the future.
PUBLIC MEETING:
Security measures for the cruise ship season was the cause of some confusion at the public meeting, with some concerns being raised that passengers going back on to vessels would come into contact with those arriving on shore. But this isn’t the case. Those preparing to go back onboard will walk through a separate channel to those coming into Stanley. One in every 10 tourists will go through the new security checks, which have been put into place. Councillors confirmed that the security status of ships will depend on their status at the previous port. These measures don’t have to be taken when visiting other places around the Falklands, or when visiting South Georgia. People were also worried that the Public Jetty will no longer be open for public use and will stay locked up when there are no cruise ships in. This isn’t the case, though, with Cllr. Birmingham saying that access will only be affected on days when there are ships in.
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