Former P&R president to ‘keep pressure on system’

He took to social media to clarify why he was asking the question: ‘I’m not trying to trick or trip my successor; I just know what was left in the [Policy & Resources] in-tray and this is one way of keeping pressure on [the] system as a whole to action.’

The new P&R president, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, will have to answer what action the committee has taken or will now take, and in what timeframe, to ensure the independent pay review mechanism is established and operative without delay.

‘As a result of the mediated settlement around the changes to the States of Guernsey Pension Scheme, it was agreed to set up an independent pay review mechanism to periodically review and to make recommendations regarding adjustments in the pay of Guernsey’s judges and crown officers,’ he said.

If the new system of pay review is not operative in time to consider pay adjustments for 2019, and thereafter, any increase for their Jersey counterparts will be applied in Guernsey.

Jersey carried out a review of judicial pay during 2019 and as a result there has been a significant increase in the levels of pay for the Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff.

To continue parity with Jersey, Deputy St Pier said, will be costly.

‘Whilst the review was delayed because of the pandemic, it is imperative that the independent pay review mechanism is operative without delay to ensure Guernsey’s pay rates for these groups are set having regard to the Guernsey context.’

In the 2019 States accounts, there was one senior employee of the States who had a gross salary of £300,000 and above, two in the bracket of £280,000 to £299,999, and a further two in the £260,000 to £279,999 bracket.

A total of 320 States employees are paid between £80,000 and £259,999.

The total cost will include the gross salary and any other forms of remuneration and the related pension contribution made by the States, as well as social insurance contributions.