‘Revive and Thrive’ plan ‘not just about economy’
SORTING out Guernsey’s problems with transport links and digital and physical infrastructure is not just good for business, but for the community as a whole, said Economic Development president Charles Parkinson.
These practical tasks are listed in the ‘Revive and Thrive’ plan as some of the short-term actions that need to be taken to help the island recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Transport links, digital and physical infrastructure and supporting businesses with the right people and the right skills – these are the fundamentals that we need to address immediately in order to be better and to grow our economy faster,’ he said.
‘Everyone will benefit from improved transport links, better digital connectivity, and an enhanced seafront that makes best use of public spaces.’
A health and care plan will also be needed, said the report: ‘I’m really encouraged that we have a plan that looks to deliver an economic recovery, but also recognises the importance of ensuring that this is complemented by consideration of the wider determinants of health,’ said Health & Social Care president Heidi Soulsby.
The island needs to learn from its experiences of the last few months about what is important to Guernsey as a community and build on that, she said.
‘It’s not about the economy versus social and environmental issues, it’s not left versus right, it’s about bringing us together so we work to support each other and come out stronger from this public health emergency than we were going in.’
There are also opportunities, said P&R vice-president Lyndon Trott: ‘There are some enormous strategic opportunities arising for us from this crisis to reshape our economy and how we provide public services,’ he said.
‘If we are not to waste those opportunities, we are going to need to be willing to be bold and brave and back our plans with investment.
‘And that investment is undoubtedly going to require us to be willing to borrow but the time is right to do so.’
He hoped to see constructive and positive debate when the report is discussed by States members next week: ‘We can then take it to islanders across the community and invite them to build on it to create a blueprint for taking our Bailiwick forward.’
