Report on Executive Council – 22nd April 2025
A meeting of Executive Council was held on 22nd April 2025. MLAs Ford, Pollard, and Roberts were in attendance. Unless otherwise stated, decisions were unanimous. The following papers were considered:
Funding Approval – FIDC Incubation of IT Services Proposal – Closed paper
ExCo ratified a recommendation from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation board to fund the incubation of IT services through a cost neutral loan.
Loan Applications – Closed
ExCo ratified two separate loan applications approved by the FIDC board – one for the purchase of machinery and equipment, the other for the purchase a business.
Review of Members’ Remuneration and Expenses 2025 – Open
In accordance with previous policy and practice, a Members’ Independent Remuneration Panel (MIRP) was convened by the Governor to review the remuneration and expenses for Members of the next Legislative Assembly. The independent panel was led by Dr Declan Hall, with three members drawn from the community.
The MIRP report addressed nine specific areas, with six other issues arising also considered; these forming the basis for subsequent recommendations from FIG which were considered ExCo, with the outcomes listed below. These will be put to the incoming Assembly for their consideration, following the General Election, and those with financial implications are referred to Budget Select Committee.
Remuneration to increase from £45,000 to £52,500, taking into account that no increase has been made since 2017, but using 2021 as a reference point for inflationary increases.
Remuneration to be indexed annually and capped at 2%.
Remuneration of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker at an equivalent daily rate (£202 per day for 2025/26).
Provision of a reduced telecommunications allowance (£50 per month); Stanley accommodation provided for Camp Members if required; removal of the benefit of one overseas trip within the four-year term for a Member’s partner/spouse.
Provision of an allowance for ExCo Members and the Assembly Chair on a monthly basis, capped at the equivalent of one day’s salary, initially set at zero.
Agreed recommendations on other fiscally related MIRP recommendations, eg expenses.
Approve death in service insurance for Members be included in the FIPS.
The MIRP did not recommend the introduction of part-time MLAs, nor higher pay for Camp residents, but suggested that Standing Orders could be revised to enable Camp MLAs to spend more time in their constituency.
Proposed Project Team – Open with redactions
ExCo approved organisational changes in the directorates of Public Works and Development & Commercial Services, to support the management, oversight and delivery of FIG’s major infrastructure projects.
With the restructuring of existing resources and the creation of three new fixed-term positions a dedicated capital delivery team will be established within PWD, with the aim of providing more robust governance, cost control and strategic alignment.
Alongside the new posts – Deputy Director of PWD (Projects), Quantity Surveyor, and Senior Project Planner – five existing DCS posts will be transferred to the new capital delivery team within PWD.
Emergency Paging Replacement – Closed
ExCo approved the immediate replacement of the DESIS emergency paging system, to be funded by existing budget underspends in the Emergency Services and the Health Services budgets.
Harbours & Ports (Amendment) Bill 20225 – Open with redactions
Approval was given for FIG to sign a letter of agreement with Byron Marine to continue to provide pilotage services. The Maritime Authority was given approval in principle to continue working on the establishment of a Stanley Harbour pilotage regime. These decisions follow consultation with industry stakeholders. The Bill will be published and submitted to the Legislative Assembly.
Applications for Falkland Islands Status – Open
ExCo approved the granting of Falkland Islands Status to 16 adults and 6 children, as recommended by the Immigration Officer.
Immigration Reviews – Closed
ExCo upheld the decisions of the Principal Immigration Officer in refusal of an Accompanying Dependent Permit and a Dependent Permit in two separate cases.
Government Legislation Programme 2025/26 – Open with redactions
The quarterly update of the 2025/26 Legislation Programme was noted and approved by ExCo, with the addition of two new pieces of work.
Updated Whistleblowing Policy – Open
Members noted and approved a revised FIG whistleblowing policy (dating from 2016). The new policy follows best practice and will allow workers to report any significant concerns they may have about their organisation or its work practices, and to seek independent support and advice. This policy does not apply to individual employment grievances, for which other procedures are in place.
Falkland Landholdings Corporation Accounts – Open with redactions
ExCo noted the financial statements and annual report from Falklands Landholdings, which will be tabled at the next sitting of Legislative Assembly.
FIDC Audited Accounts and Annual Report – Open with redactions
ExCo noted the financial statements and annual report (year ending June 2024) of the Falklands Islands Development Corporation, which will be tabled at the next sitting of Legislative Assembly.
Criminal Justice Council Annual Report and Action Plan – Open
Members approved the 2024 annual report on the activities of the Criminal Justice Council and the action plan for 2025.
MLA Leona Roberts
25 April 2025
