The Falkland Islands Government remains, confident that a mutually acceptable outcome can be reached with Rockhopper, on the matter of their tax bill from FIG, confirmed Financial Secretary Nicola Granger last week and indicated the situation would have no impact on local tax laws.
The Falkland Islands elected Legislative Assembly was dissolved on Thursday by Governor Nigel Haywood in advance of the General Election scheduled to be held on November 7.
Though plagued with flu and taking place largely in darkness, the recent visit to Norway by Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior government officials appears to have produced encouraging results and shone some light on possible developments in the Falkland Islands, according to MLA Dick Sawle.
The Falkland Islands Government Chief Executive, Keith Padgett, Commander British Forces, Brigadier Bill Aldridge and Paul Wilson from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a new wind farm at Mare Harbour.
Senior members from the Falkland Islands government have left for Norway and the Shetland Islands on an experiences-fact-finding mission as the Islands prepare for oil production in the near future.
The Falkland Islands Government announced the appointment of David Jenkins to the post of Director of Health and Social Services. David, the current Director of Health and Education, will take up his new role with effect from January 2013 following a restructure which will see Education form a separate Directorate.
The Falkland Islands Executive Council has officially approved that a referendum be held on the question of the political status of the Falkland Islands and announced that the Electoral Commission has agreed to assist with developing the form of the question and the wording and give a bespoke advisory service including providing guidance.
The Falkland Islands government has started to prepare the list of issues that will have to be addressed for the organization of next year’s referendum on the political statute of the Islands, particularly the drafting of the question, inviting overseas observers and contracting a specialist to manage the whole operation.
Keith Padgett, former Finance Secretary and acting Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands government has been confirmed in the post by the local government acting in agreement with the Islands Governor.
Last Friday it was announced that Keith Padgett, Financial Director for the Falkland Islands Government, has been appointed interim Chief Executive of the Islands until a replacement is appointed for outgoing CE, Tim Thorogood.