Guernsey Press

Three senior politicians step down from Sark Chief Pleas

THREE of Sark’s senior politicians have resigned as conseillers, with one warning that the island’s system of government must evolve with the times.

Published
Charles Maitland, who was president of the Policy & Performance Committee, has stood down from Sark Chief Pleas. (20317719)

The chairman and deputy chairman of Sark government’s senior committee, Policy & Performance, Charles Maitland and Hazel Fry, have stood down.

Robert Cottle, who was the deputy chairman of Finance & Resources, has also resigned.

‘The workload on Finance & Resources is very heavy and during my five years as a conseiller I haven’t been able to achieve the direction that I think Chief Pleas should be going in,’ said Mr Cottle.

‘Chief Pleas needs to be more forward-looking and progressive, but it seems to be reverting to ways of old. I don’t believe this is the right way to go and I am leaving it to those who feel otherwise to get on with it.’

Mr Maitland is on holiday and could not be contacted

Mrs Fry said her departure from government was a retirement rather than a resignation.

She was a strong advocate of the island having a regulatory system designed to scrutinise and control the price of electricity.

That was approved and implemented last year and she said this was the main reason she had remained in her role.

Full story in today's Guernsey Press