MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines:
Three's a crowd; Preservation vs progress? Heritage concerns grow as Deans' smithy is demolished; Treasury behind in financial reporting to councillors; Police investigation - officer disciplined.

Three's a crowdTHIS trio of cuties could be the first set of triplets ever born to a Falkland Islander. Kaiser, Jolie and Mae are the babies of Una McKay and her partner David Ward. Turn to page 9 for the full story. Preservation vs progress? Heritage concerns grow as Deans' smithy is demolishedTHE debate on the preservation of the Falklands' historic buildings stepped up a gear this week as it emerged that the Falkland Islands Company (FIC) had demolished the former JM Dean & Son smithy without planning permission. Heritage Councillor Richard Davies said he was "very disappointed" by the loss of the building, which made up the western end of the Basics shop: "It was a building of known historic importance, originally built as Deans' smithy and sail loft. The brick façade at the north side, although tucked out of sight next to the boundary with Stanley House, was particularly attractive with its big windows and arched doorway." He warned: "In the 1970's UK planners and developers did more damage to their built heritage than the Luftwaffe did in the Blitz. Fortunately Britain still has a lot of buildings and historic towns left. We don't have so many here. Once they are gone, they are gone forever." Archivist Jane Cameron said the smithy was built in the 1860s by FIC's then rivals, JM Dean & Son, who were among the earliest settlers on the Islands. She commented: "It is very sad to see it go - historically because of its age and the Dean connection - and architecturally because we have so few brick buildings in the Falklands and this was a particularly attractive example." FIC Director Roger Spink said he had been wrongly advised about previous demolitions: "We consulted the planning officer and building advisor when demolishing the skin shed at the old butchery and part of the carpenter's shop behind our offices and were told, 'Unless it is a historic building or other special thing, like a wreck or a stone corral or something in a national nature reserve, it does not need planning permission.' We have since the demolition of the rear of Basics been advised by FIG that this information was incorrect." Regardless of advice, Mr Spink said he did not think the smithy should have been preserved, and its demolition would allow FIC to update its facilities: "If it was such a historic building, why in the last 10 years has no one approached us to have it listed? The building has been altered so much that the bits that people thought were there aren't there anyway. "There was a brick wall at the end of it but you couldn't see it unless you had a mirror on a stick." He said the building had been damp and "a harbour for vermin". The current Environmental Planning Officer, Andrea Wright, said she had this week written to builders reminding them that planning permission was required for demolition of all buildings. Treasury behind in financial reporting to councillorsTHE Treasury is behind in its financial reporting to councillors and a lack of manpower has been blamed. Quarterly financial management reports are supposed to be submitted to Standing Finance Committee (SFC) however there has been no report since SFC met in April. SFC is due to meet this morning and once again no report is included on the agenda. Financial Secretary Derek Howatt said the report due in July was held back as a matter of routine because the figures would not have included information such as year-end accounting adjustments and a "confusing picture" would have resulted: "The year-end report is therefore usually omitted until the accounts are produced." There should, however, have been a report submitted to today's meeting reporting up to September 30. However, with no Chief Accountant currently at the Treasury it proved impossible to meet the report deadline, Mr Howatt said. Continued on page 2 Police investigation - officer disciplinedA POLICE officer has been disciplined following lengthy investigations into bullying allegations. Chief of Police Superintendent Paul Elliot would not comment on how the officer would be punished, describing it instead as "appropriate disciplinary action." The outcome of the disciplinary action was a confidential matter, he added. Superintendent Elliott commented: "I am confident that the resolution of this internal investigation and the valuable lessons learned from it by all involved opens a door for officers to concentrate on providing a valuable service to the public, rather than dwelling on internal grievances"