What are the benefits of changing to a single constituency? Are there other options?

This Let's Talk panel debate the arguments for and against the Falkland Islands changing to a single constituency.

There are currently two constituencies, Camp and Stanley. On January 31, 2020, the Legislative Assembly passed a bill allowing the constitution to be changed if a single constituency was voted for. Public meetings on West Falkland and in Camp were held in January prior to the original referendum date of  March 26, 2020. With COVID-19 causing a delay, the new referendum date is September 24, 2020.

Host Mark Lewis is joined by MLA Roger Spink, MLA Teslyn Barkman, and Camp residents Bill Luxton and Trevor McPhee to debate the matter.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on September 9, 2020.

How will the Falklandlands Islands cope with COVID-19?

COVID-19 may eventually come to the Falkland Islands, what will the response be, will the islands cope?

Host, Jason Lewis, is joined by MLA Leona Roberts, CMO Dr Rebecca Edwards, and CE Barry Rowland, who answer listener's questions in this COVID-19 Let's Talk.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on April 15, 2020.

At the suggestion of Corina Goss, a breast cancer patient, we have assembled a panel of those who have encountered the disease and those who have helped them deal with it.

We will take a look at the basic statistics of cancer in the Falkland Islands with CMO Beccy Edwards, and discuss diagnosis and treatment with her and Nurse Mandy Heathman.

Corina is joined by husband David Ashbridge to discuss how families cope with long term illness.

Brian Aldridge, a recent returnee from treatment, will cover his experiences and suggestions, and Andy Brownlee a long term survivor and Treasurer of the Cancer Support and Awareness Trust will talk about their work.

This will be a powerful and informative programme. If you or your family has been affected by cancer, if you want to know why there seems to be so much of it, or if you would like to learn more about the disease and how to cope with it.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on December 4, 2019.

Should there be restrictions on how the public land around Stanley can be used?

Stanley Common is public land that surrounds the capital, Stanley. In recent years the use of the common has changed from primarily grazing to recreational activities. The area is a National Nature Reserve and Cape Pembroke is an ImportantPlant Area. A draft management plan for the area suggests limiting certain activities like dog walking and off-road driving in the area and has caused some debate within the community.  

Host, Mike Summers, is joined by MLA Leona Roberts, FIG Director of Policy Diane Simsovic, vehicle user Jay Moffatt, horse owner Grant Munro, and Esther Bertram from Falklands Conservation to discuss the topic.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on January 23, 2019

Is the Falkland Islands behind in childcare regulations?

New legislation will be presented to the Assembly next week to establish registration requirements and standards for childminders and nurseries. Previous policy papers have indicated that £1 million has been made available for building new facilities or improving existing buildings, and £750,000 for operating subsidies to pay for the higher standards required.

Host, Mike Summers, is joined by MLA Stacy Bragger, Jo Ford from IJS, Steve Dent, Caitlin Witney and Vikki Chater to talk about the impacts of new regulations.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on December 12, 2018.

Lets Talk features the younger generation. There is no specific topic, but each participant will be invited to introduce a subject that interests them, make some point and observations for us then to discuss and debate. If we run out of subjects from them (unlikely) I will introduce a few to keep the debate lively. It has been a bit of a struggle to find people to do this, and I am grateful to Nick Roberts for his assistance...he will also take part. We will try to gain some interest amongst the 20 somethings to make this a regular feature every two months or so. Listen in, it might be lively.

This  Let's Talk programme will be on the subject of Workforce Development........more people to do all the things we want to do. How many people do we really need, how will we get them, where should they come from, should we be looking for permanent growth or maintain the option to let them go ? Lots of questions looking for answers. On the panel will be MLA Mark Pollard, a representative of FIG Barry Rowland, Emma Brooks from the Training College, Andrea Clausen from the Chamber of Commerce and Carl Stroud representing the Tourism Association.

All the talk and all the planning will be worthless without the people to deliver programmes and services. Why don't we just get on with it ? Listen to the views and perspectives and have your say. This matters.

This Lets Talk programme is on Weds 31st October at 7.00pm. The topic is Waste Management, specifically plastic waste, about which there is currently hightened awareness. My guests will be Ross James and Amanda Kuepfer, founders of the citizens group Wise Waste, together with MLA Leona Roberts, DPW Colin Summers and Environmental Officer Denise Herrera. We will take the opportunity to understand the objectives and programmes of Wise Waste, and discuss community engagement in tackling the problem of plastic waste.

In advance of the new season the topic will be Progress and Development in the Tourism Industry. We will discuss the long term objectives of the industry here in the Falklands, and how these are to be achieved. On the panel will be Mike Rendell - Owner of Bleaker Island and former Chair of FITB, Sally Ellis - Manager of ITT and FITB Chair, Carli Sudder - Sulivan Travel manager and Chair of FITA, Jo Muncaster - FITB (standing in for Steph Middleton who will be away) and a representative of FIG Policy Unit responsible for strategic development of the tourism industry.