MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: Penguin News Weekly Update

Headlines:
Tourist Board: no confidence vote for directors; Pension reversal; Harriet lands new job; War losses remembered; A long distance interview; Expo plans progress.

Tourist Board: no confidence vote for directorsMEMBERS of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) have passed a vote of no confidence in their directors. At an extraordinary general meeting held last week, members also voted to remove five of the six directors. Only Jenny Luxton of Stanley Services Ltd survived the vote. Despite the resolutions carried for their removal, three of the directors, remain on the board. Councillor Ian Hansen - who holds the Tourism portfolio, Councillor Richard Stevens and General Manager of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, Mr Mark Brunet, are all appointed rather than elected to the board, and will not be required to resign unless there is a change to the FITB Articles of Association or they are instructed to resign by Executive Council. The extraordinary general meeting was called by members of FITB as a result of widespread concern over the Board's recent decision to appoint an overseas applicant to the role of General Manager of Tourism above a Falkland Islands applicant. Following the news of the vote, the government's Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins, said there are currently no plans to take any action following the meeting; however he said the government is watching developments in the tourism industry "with interest." He added, "...tourism is the second biggest industry in the Islands. Its continued success and growth is vital to the economy and is dependent upon the leadership of the board which is almost entirely funded by FIG." Speaking yesterday, FITB member Ailsa Heathman described FITB's situation as, "...a bit of a shambles," adding, "Nothing's going to happen now till we have the AGM later this month and have a new board appointed. "The whole thing has been in limbo for months and it will stay in limbo for the next few months." She had praise, however, for the FITB staff who she said had been "doing a good job, holding things together." Arlette Betts was shocked by the tone of the meeting on Friday. She commented, "I voted against the directors being thrown off because the behaviour of some of the people at that meeting was appalling - the sniggering and back biting. I was happy with the board and what they had been doing." She added, "I want to see FITB succeed and think perhaps it should have stayed under the umbrella of FIDC. I wouldn't blame anyone for now not wanting to stand for election at the AGM." Another member of FITB, Phil Middleton, believes it is time for a new start. "Now that the Board is inquorate, we have the opportunity to vote in a full board, including an elected chair; separate the nominated councillor as advisory only, and look at the need to have representation from FIDC." More on page 3. Pension reversalEXECUTIVE Council has revoked its decision to end the subsidy paid to the Falkland Islands Pension Scheme (FIPS). The move followed an appeal from the FIPS Chairman, Drew Irvine. Councillor Andrea Clausen said a number of "valid points" were made to Executive Council in the appeal, "...one of which was the need to encourage young people to save for their retirement." To this end, she added, Executive Council expressed a wish to see active encouragement from the FIPS Board to recruit new members to this scheme. Mr Irvine welcomed the successful outcome of the appeal. He commented, "The decision is an endorsement of the Board's view of the importance of making an early start to saving towards retirement and the role the state has to play in encouraging it." Harriet lands new jobHARRIET HALL is the Government of South Georgia's new Chief Executive Officer. Currently employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as First Secretary at Government House, Ms Hall will officially start her new job in July, upon the arrival of her successor Paul Martinez. Governor Alan Huckle, who is also the Commissioner of South Georgia, said the Foreign Office has granted Ms Hall special unpaid leave in order to take up her new job, which is initially on a one year contract. He added that he and Ms Hall were both "very pleased" by her new appointment. War losses rememberedMEMORIAL services take place at Sea Lion Island and Goose Green in the next week. Today (Friday) a service will be held at the memorial to HMS Sheffieldon Sea Lion Island, and on Sunday, past and present residents of Goose Green will hold a service to remember Lt Nick Taylor RN, whose aircraft was shot down over the settlement on May 4, 1982. This year Lt Cdr John Eyton-Jones RN and Lt Al Curtis RN, both of 801 Naval Air Squadron, will also be remembered. Their aircraft were lost, probably in a mid air collision, 25 years ago. A long distance interviewTHE government is flying the Acting Chief of Police to London to interview for the role he is currently carrying out. Inspector Len McGill confirmed he had applied for the Chief of Police post and had been invited to attend an interview at the Falkland Islands Government Office in London. Chief Executive Chris Simpkins justified the decision to fly Inspector McGill to the UK, saying it was giving a local candidate for a high profile senior position the opportunity to play on a level playing field, "...with the same referees and on the same day as external candidates." He said the cost was "tiny" when compared with the investment in the post and its importance. "Making the wrong decision would be far more expensive as recent events demonstrate." Expo plans progressPREPARATIONS are hotting up for the 'Falklands Expo' which takes place on June 16. Organizer Sarah Clement of SeAled PR said anyone who wants to be involved "in any shape or form" can contact her on telephone 22432.