New population regime 'will not please everyone' - chief minister

GUERNSEY'S new population regime will not please everyone, the chief minister has acknowledged.

Deputy Peter Harwood made the point following an open letter from former Housing members Graham Guille and Gloria Dudley-Owen, who were concerned islanders were unaware of the repercussions of the outline report approved in June.

'It should not be forgotten that the June debate followed the previous Assembly's debate of the over­arching principles in January 2012, which only came about after an extensive public consultation process in 2011,' said Deputy Harwood.

'If there is one subject that I believe that States members, past and present, have really engaged with over the years, then this is it.

'The open letter published suggests that we are rapidly nearing the end of the journey to replace the housing control laws, when in fact the "defining moment" for this States Assembly is that it has finally grasped the nettle and agreed the high level detail of a new regime – a regime that will treat all residents fairly, be less susceptible to successful legal challenge than the existing housing control laws, and one that will be far more transparent and easier for the public to understand.'