Guernsey Press

Housing in sights of new Scrutiny head

INVESTIGATING housing is on the horizon for Yvonne Burford, the new president of the Scrutiny Management Committee.

Published
Deputy Yvonne Burford has been elected president of the Scrutiny Management Committee. (28817245)

Deputy Burford saw off competition from Deputy Lester Queripel for the role, by 24 votes to 15.

‘One area that I believe to be worthy of investigation is housing. The housing function was split between Environment & Infrastructure and Employment & Social Security in 2016, and seems to have been sidelined to a degree by both committees.

‘This issue also rubs shoulders with the States property portfolio and these two items could form the basis of a review to look at issues such as better use of States-owned brownfield sites, for example.’

Deputy Burford sought to dispel the notion that she was interested only in the environment, insisting that she had a wide range of interests and skills.

She saw Scrutiny as a fundamental lever in building and rebuilding trust between the government and public.

‘Perhaps it’s much more important to explain how I don’t see the role of Scrutiny, I don’t see it as a vehicle designed to catch people out, I don’t see it as a means for creating or widening divisions, and I don’t see it as a way of advancing political capital or ideology for any group or indeed for settling scores.’

Another intention of Deputy Burford is to follow up on the freedom of information review.