MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Lovely Layla is May Queen; Budget 2006/07: healthy surplus forecast; Come on England!; A day of exercise; ?Back off, Argentina'.

Lovely Layla is May Queen

FIFTEEN year old Layla Crowie (pictured right) was crowned May Queen at the annual May Ball held last weekend. Daughter of Bobby and Nicola Crowie, Layla was a popular choice, judging by the cheering from the large crowd that attended the dance in the Town Hall. The title of May Princess went to Jane Goss, while Prince Charming was Stefen Clarke; runner-up Prince Charming was Dion Robertson. ? Inside Penguin News this week you'll find a full colour May Ball supplement, brought to you in conjunction with Stanley Electrical Ltd.

Budget 2006/07: healthy surplus forecast

A BUDGET surplus of almost a million pounds has been forecast for the next financial year. In his report of the Select Committee on the 2006/07 Estimates, Financial Secretary Derek Howatt said the outcome of the budget once again confirms, "...that the economic and social well being of the Falkland Islands can be maintained with or without the co-operation of the Argentine government." Incredibly, despite not meeting all of the government's budget strategy targets, a surplus of £4.2 million is expected at the end of the current financial year. Mr Howatt said the surplus contrasted with a deficit of £393,000 which was forecast a year ago. The reason for this substantial improvement, Mr Howatt said, "...is an increase in revenue of £6.6 million, mainly from investments and taxation, partly offset by a reduction in fisheries revenue and by additional expenditure of £2 million." 2006/07 There's good news in next year's budget for the elderly members of the community: the Winter Fuel Allowance will be increased from £270 to £400, following the significant increases in the price of kerosene over the last year. However, the Holiday Credit Scheme, which was halved in July 2004 is to be cut again. Mr Howatt announced, "Due to continued budgetary pressures, it is proposed that the daily rates be reduced by another 50% from July 1, 2006: That is from 50p to 25p for adults and from 25p to 12½p for children." No amendments will be made this year to the tax rates and allowances currently in force and the embarkation tax and passenger levy will both remain unchanged. The passenger levy will, however, rise by 10% next year. Customs import duty on cigarettes will rise by 10%, with rises of 5% and 4% respectively on tobacco (and cigars) and alcohol, an amount Mr Howatt said, "...would appear to just recover the estimated cost of medical treatment resulting from smoking and alcohol abuse." Harbour dues and Customs entrance and clearance fees will both increase by 4% and vehicle licence fees will also rise by 3%. A general increase of 4% will be placed on government house rents, however this will not immediately apply to sheltered housing, which is already subject to a staged increase. An increase of 33% on measured water supply to non-domestic premises will be phased in over three years and the domestic property service charge will increase by 10%. Accommodation fees at Stanley House will be increased by 5% for non-resident families, however no increase will be made to Camp families. ?Old scheme' public service pensions and Falklands Landholdings pensions will be increased by 3% while welfare and attendance allowances will rise by 5%. ExpenditureThe departments due to receive the largest piece of the budget cake are Public Works (£8.6 million), Health and Social Services (£5.9 million), Education (£5.1 million), Fisheries (£5.1 million) and Central Administration (£3.5 million). Included in the Central Administration budget is a provision for £600,000 as a central reserve for a pay award for the public service. Aviation has been allocated £2.4 million while the Department of Agriculture will receive just under one million pounds. The Tourist Board has been allocated £220,000 with a reserve of £270,000 considered. Mr Howatt explained that the Select Committee felt it appropriate to leave the budget as allocated at £220,000 and invite the Tourist Board to provide the "economic justification" for additional funding. He added, "The message to the Tourist Board remains clear. Government is keen to invest in the promotion and development of tourism but must be satisfied before public money is invested that it is properly justified." £1.7 million has been allowed for direct and indirect support to the Camp community, including a one year "holiday" from interest on mortgages. ? More coverage of Legislative Council in Penguin News next week, including councillors' speeches and questions for oral answer.

Come on England!

FOOTBALL fans around the Islands can breathe a little easier with the news that BFBS 1 television will ?go live' for every England game during the World Cup. BFBS will switch the usual time-delayed service to a live relay for the games with Paraguay at 9am local time on Saturday, June 10, Trinidad and Tobago at 12pm on Thursday, June 15 and Sweden at 3pm on Tuesday, June 20, plus any subsequent England games in the knockout stages. BFBS 1 will revert to its six-hour time delay after each game, meaning fans can see the action twice in one day. Commenting on the plans, which have been endorsed by Governor Howard Pearce and Commander British Forces, Commodore Ian Moncrieff, BFBS Station Manager, Damian Watson, said, "I appreciate that this won't please viewers who have no interest in football, English or otherwise, but this is the biggest sporting event in the world and it only happens every four years. "Showing these games live is absolutely the right thing to do." Fans who can't get to a TV for the games can tune in to BFBS Radio 2 on 550 MW for Five Live commentary. BFBS Radio 1 will also be broadcasting special editions of The Score during the World Cup.

A day of exercise

WEDNESDAY is Challenge Day, the day on which everyone is encouraged to get breathless through exercise. A range of free activities are on offer at Stanley Leisure Centre, including indoor hockey and football, swimming sessions and aerobics, yoga and aquaerobic classes. The Leisure Centre staff are keen for participants to register their activity with them as they are aiming to achieve at least 25% participation for the Falklands population.

?Back off, Argentina'

IN HIS annual Address to the Nation, the Governor has warned Argentina that pressuring Falkland Islanders to agree to negotiations on sovereignty is "bound to fail". Full story on page 4

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