MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Penguin News weekly update

Kevin Ormond (centre) of SAMA82 receives the cheque from (l-r) Wanda and Demi Greenough, Iris Dickson, Saphena Berntsen, Cpl Tom Blake, Cpl Geds Ford, Violet Clarke, Colleen Ford and Ellen Davis.

Headlines:
'Bash' helps bring veterans back; Pension trustees angered by subsidy loss; Gainer withdraws from tourism job; 190 expected at Forum; Blaze aboard Irizar; Summer time ends this weekend.

'Bash' helps bring veterans backA 'CAMPERS BASH' dance jointly organised by former residents of Port San Carlos and the Falkland Islands Defence Force earlier this month raised an incredible two and a half thousand pounds. The funds - which far exceeded the organisers' expectations - have been donated to the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82) and will be earmarked to bring to the Islands a veteran who has links with the people who lived at Port San Carlos in 1982. Pension trustees angered by subsidy lossTHE trustees of the Falkland Islands Pension Scheme have expressed their "great concern" at the government's decision to remove the administration subsidy. Executive Council took the decision earlier this month following a request for a subsidy payment of £107,000 for administering the scheme. ExCo decided the government's 'user pays' principal should be adopted and the subsidy should be discharged over a three year period. At the time, Councillor Mike Summers defended the move saying, "It's not going to have a huge impact on everyone's pension entitlement." However, the Pension Fund trustees disagree. They say such a move will have a significant negative effect on individual funds, which will be similar to the heavily criticised decision by Gordon Brown to remove tax credit relief in the UK. Speaking on behalf of the trustees, Drew Irvine commented, "It is the cumulative effect of the administration charge year on year, plus the loss of the investment gains on the money spent on administration, which make such a difference to an individual's pension fund on retirement. "The effect is therefore compounded year on year, which over the lifetime of a typical pension fund can be well over 40 years." The trustees believe that the government should encourage the population to save more towards retirement. "Providing disincentives, such as the removal of the administration subsidy, are clearly unhelpful and counterproductive in what should be regarded as an essential policy, which benefits society as a whole by encouraging individuals to save and keep themselves out of the poverty trap and dependence on the state in old age," Mr Irvine said. The trustees have lodged an appeal against the decision, which they say was taken without any consultation. Gainer withdraws from tourism jobTERRY GAINER, the Canadian applicant offered the job as General Manager of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB), has withdrawn from the post. Earlier this month, an application by Mr Gainer for a work permit was refused as the Principal Immigration Officer deemed there was a local applicant qualified for the position. It is government policy that Falkland Island applicants be given preference for employment. FITB lodged an appeal against the decision and an extraordinary meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was due to be held this week to consider the matter. However, Chairman of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Councillor Ian Hansen confirmed on Wednesday that he had informed members of Mr Gainer's withdrawal, "...and subsequently the appeal lodged with ExCo was also withdrawn." He added that the Directors of FITB hoped to meet later this week to discuss the situation. Members of FITB have also called for an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on April 27; a vote of no confidence in the Board of Directors is expected to be held. 190 expected at ForumTHE Falklands Forum, - "promoting the Islands in 2007" - takes place in London on Wednesday. The Falkland government's representative in the UK, Sukey Cameron, says that around 190 delegates are expected to attend the event, "...including MPs, media, speakers and staff." Councillors Mike Summers, Andrea Clausen and Janet Robertson have headed north for the event, along with a small number of government heads of department and private sector business people. The event will be followed by a reception at the House of Commons, sponsored by HSBC and hosted by Sir Nicholas Winterton MP (Chairman of the UK Falkland Islands All Party Group), for all the Forum delegates and to which more MPs and Lords have been invited. The purpose of the Forum, Ms Cameron said, is to, "...promote the Islands in 2007, focusing on the economic achievements of the last 25 years and the potential for the future." Blaze aboard IrizarTHE Argentine navy icebreaker Almirante Irizarwas abandoned on Wednesday after catching fire in the South Atlantic. The captain ordered the crew to abandon ship when flames became uncontrollable. All 296 crew and passengers were declared safe after being picked up by other ships in the area. In 2004, diplomatic relations were put to the test when the Almirante Irizarentered Falklands waters and allegedly challenged by radio a number of vessels fishing in the zone. Valiantfire Closer to home, Falklands-flagged longliner CFL Valiantsustained a small fire in the engine room while operating in the Outer Conservation Zone on April 1. "Thanks to the swift and professional response from the crew it was quickly contained, thankfully with no injuries," said CFL General Manager Daniel Matthews. The vessel is now required to undergo some repairs in Montevideo; due to constraints on facilities they are unable to be carried out in Stanley. Summer time ends this weekend Government clocks will be put back one hour, reverting to local mean time at 2am on Sunday, 15 April.