News

from The Gibraltar Magazine October 2020

Exploring the Costa de la Luz

ADOPT A KITTY

Introducing Poppy. She’s a loving, playful, circa 7-month-old who’s looking out for her forever home... with her one eye! This poor girl was abandoned on the street with a bad eye which resulted in her losing it. She's so unhappy in the sanctuary and would love to find her very special human who will accept her the way she is.

If you think Poppy could be your girl, please do make contact on Facebook: Gibraltar Cat Welfare Society.

B_TWEEN BENCH UNVEILED IN CENTRE OF TOWN

A B_tween Bench, which is a wheelchair inclusive bench, was unveiled by the Minister for Equality, the Hon Samantha Sacramento MP. The B-tween Bench, located opposite the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, was designed by local company Gamma Architects and the design took third place at the Street Seats international design challenge in 2018.

On the 5th March another bench was jointly unveiled by one of the sponsors of the project and the Minister for Equality and is located outside the International Commercial Centre (I.C.C).

The Minister for Equality has arranged for Government to purchase further benches, which are being installed throughout Gibraltar.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S EVENTS 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in keeping with Public Health guidelines in relation to large gatherings, the Christmas Festival of Lights, the Christmas Attractions at John Mackintosh Square and the New Year’s Celebrations at Casemates will not be held this year in their usual format.

Gibraltar Cultural Services is already working on behalf of the Ministry on an online offering for both the Christmas Festival of Lights and the New Year’s Celebrations. Further details will

be announced in due course.

Discussions are being held shortly with the Cavalcade Committee to decide whether the 2021 Three Kings’ Cavalcade will be able to proceed.

Minister for Culture, John Cortes commented: “It is indeed sad that we have had to take these decisions. But it is important that our celebrations this Festive Season don’t become a cause for regret later. We will find other ways to enjoy ourselves, responsibly, as we did on National Day, as we await better times.”

For further information please contact the Gibraltar Cultural Services Events Department on 200 67236 or e-mail info@ culture.gi

50 wines by the glass 40 small dishes of Mediterranean cuisine

30 John Mackintosh Square GX11 1AA Gibraltar. Tel: 200 70201 info@vinopolisgastrobar.gi www.vinopolisgastrobar.gi

BORDER CONSEQUENCES FOR GIBRALTARIANS IN THE EVENT OF NO DEAL

The Government last month published its first updated Technical Notice which aims to guide citizens and businesses in the event that it is not possible to conclude an agreement which covers the future relationship of Gibraltar with the European Union.

The first Technical Notice on readiness advice covers one of the most important issues under discussion which is the movement of persons across the border once the transition period comes to an end on 31 December 2020.

The paper sets out that the legal regime which will continue to apply at the border is the Schengen Border Code. The main difference will be that UK citizens, including Gibraltarians, will become Third Country Nationals for the EU and therefore subject to a different regime of controls. The Government have expressed they will continue to work towards an agreement using its best efforts and all the political good will in the world. However, if an agreement is not possible then there will be consequences to the mobility of persons across the border.

Those potential consequences for Gibraltarians as Third Country Nationals for the EU, subject to agreements to mitigate them, include:

(a) the wet stamping of passports when entering or exiting the Schengen Area;

(b) the scanning of documents against the Schengen Information System (SIS);

(d) Third Country nationals can be questioned as to the reason for entering Schengen;

(e) enquiries can be made of Third Country Nationals as to the conditions of their intended stay in Schengen;

(f) checks can be made to ensure that Third Country Nationals have means of subsistence while in Schengen;

(g) the application as from 2022 of the ETIAS travel preauthorisation system (similar to US ESTA).

View the full Technical Notice at: https://bit.ly/35V7BJT

THE MAIN STREET BID PROJECT

Plans for a Main Street Business Improvement District (BID) have been announced by the BID Task Group in conjunction with UK-based international place management consultancy The Mosaic Partnership, and backed by HM Government of Gibraltar. The BID will be led by local businesses and the BID Task Group, comprised of over 20 Gibraltar business representatives from both large and small organisations.

The BID will help businesses Positive Pathways aims to provide employment and education for people affected by mental health problems, as part of take control of and improve their trading environment. Projects and services include: Marketing of Main Street & surrounds to increase visitors; improved visitor signage; improving maintenance, cleaning and waste management; providing business networking & training programmes and collective buying to reduce costs, to name a few.

The BID looks to raise approximately £400k per year from all businesses within the area. This will be collected as a BID levy, with each business contributing £0.50 per square foot of floorspace per year (a minimum levy of £100 and a maximum levy of £5000 per year will be in place). HMGoG Ministry for Business has generously

Clubhouse Gibraltar Transitional Employment Program. In partnership with Clubhouse

Gibraltar, Positive Pathways committed to a pound-forpound match in funding, bringing the BID’s annual budget to approximately £800k per year, or £4m in the 5-year project lifespan.

The BID will look to develop a ‘uniquely Gibraltarian experience’, ensuring a clean, green and welcoming area is provided for

CLUBHOUSE GIBRALTAR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

tourists and locals alike.

MEMBER'S TESTIMONIALS:

“Working in the Cafeteria gives me a reason to get up in the morning. If I didn’t come I would just sit at home and start thinking about things, then my negative thoughts begin and my depression kicks in’ as I am diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder. I know that I can ring when I am having an off day due to my mental health problems, no questions asked or risk of losing my job. When I come back to work, we can talk about why I couldn’t face work and try and put things in place so it doesn’t happen again” (TEP Placement) works towards decrease stigma and discrimination faced by people who have dealt with mental health difficulties.

To support their transitional employment placement, you can:

You can provide the placement

supported by Positive Pathways ORGANIZE AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISER IN AID OF POSITIVE PATHWAYS:

• You can sponsor a placement Why not get together with your friends or colleagues and organize a fund raiser in aid of

Positive Pathways. We are very grateful for those individuals, groups and organizations who have already done fund raising on our behalf. • You can provide a placement sponsored by another company A GIFT IN YOUR WILL: and managed by Positive As a small charity remembering us in your will can make a real difference in helping us to

Pathways continue our work. This protects your legacy and is the only sure way to control what happens to any money or possessions we have when we pass on. For more information, contact 200 68423 or email positivepathwaysgibraltar@gmail.com A DONATION

IN REMEMBRANCE

DISABILITY, EQUALITY AND CUSTOMER CARE TRAINING FOR RGP

The Royal Gibraltar Police has included Disability Equality and Customer Care Training in its current training programme for all RGP officers. This training highlights the many barriers faced by people with physical and learning disabilities.

Training is being arranged in such a way that it is delivered in contained groups of one shift at a time. This not only ensures understanding across the board, but it also minimises the risk of spreading Covid-19. Two shifts have already completed their training, with the rest due to take place across the coming months.

This training already forms part of the training prospectus introduced by the Ministry of Equality throughout the Civil Service four years ago. There are currently three civil servants trained and validated by the UK charity ‘Attitude is Everything’, in order to deliver this course locally.

The Commissioner of Police, Richard Ullger, said, “The RGP are fully committed to providing the best levels of service to our community. The Disability, Equality and Customer Care training we are currently undertaking, will enhance the skills of our Officers as first responders, especially when interacting with people who have any form of disability. We are pleased to be working alongside the Ministry of Equality in order to better understand some of the challenges faced by people who may need us the most, as part of our continuous learning and