Policy Committee meeting dates a matter of contention

A ROW has broken out in Alderney after Policy Committee meeting dates were moved to clash with States meetings in Guernsey.

The last Alderney States meeting saw members resolve on a return to a 10-member Policy Committee.

The newly-enlarged Policy Committee recently voted to move their meetings from Mondays to Tuesdays.

Alderney representative Paul Arditti, pictured, said the effect was to exclude himself and Mr Jean from debate and prevent them influencing new members.

Policy Committee chairman Francis Simonet strongly denied any claim that the decision was based on exclusion. He said other States Members had unanimously voted for Tuesday meetings as it better suited outside work commitments and gave them more time to research agenda items.

Mr Arditti and Mr Jean were unable to vote on the change of date at the Policy Committee meeting on 24 September – because they were in Guernsey attending a Tuesday States Meeting.

The Guernsey States of Deliberation begins on the last Wednesday of every month. But heavy agendas, lost Fridays and unfinished business from the previous Billet means the States of Guernsey has convened three times on a Tuesday this year – as it will this month.

Mr Arditti pointed out that the day swap proposal had not appeared on the agenda for the September meeting.