Civil service reform on reduced priorities list

Public meetings and closer working with douzaines have also been promised by the president.

Peter Ferbrache also said the newly-formed committee would be looking to have regular meetings with the presidents of the other major committees, and he re-emphasised its commitment to openness and collaboration in the coming term.

‘We, as a committee, also intend to be open to the public,’ he said.

The plan is for periodic, open meetings with islanders, perhaps every six months, but more often if there are key issues that need public consultation: ‘Our first meeting we are endeavouring to have before Christmas.’

He told members that as of last Friday, P&R had 406 action points: ‘That is ridiculous. That is unachievable,’ he said. ‘We thus intend to concentrate on key issues and achievable objectives.’

Each member of the committee has been made lead on a specific area.

Committee vice-president Heidi Soulsby would be the lead on civil service reform and be the committee’s contact with the douzaines, as well as leading a review of Guernsey’s structure of government.

Jonathan Le Tocq will focus on how moneys from the States bond might be used and continue to lead on external relation.

The States’ employment terms and conditions will be looked into by David Mahoney, who will also lead in relation to States’ property.

Mark Helyar will lead on reviewing the island’s insolvency and bankruptcy laws as well as in relation to Guernsey Finance and finance matters generally, plus on the States relationship with Alderney and Sark and the considerations for the development and enhancement of the eastern sea front.

Deputy Helyar, alongside the president of Economic Development, will head a broadband working group to look at what can be done in relation to the digital industry and broadband.

For his own part, Deputy Ferbrache will be looking at affordable housing, and the revitalisation of Town. There would need to be liaison with the Development & Planning Authority, the Guernsey Housing Association and Employment & Social Security

The open market will also be looked into with a view to repealing, amending or changing some of the restrictions that have been place on it.

Another matter he will be looking at is the number of empty hotels and will work closely with the presidents of Economic Development and the DPA with regard to this and the accommodation strategy being developed by the former.

Deputy Ferbrache will also lead on air and sea connectivity and would report back to the States in three months following talks with the presidents of ED and the States’ Trading and Supervisory Board.

One of the main issues being dealt with by P&R is the concluding of the public service obligation process with regard to finding an air operator on the Guernsey/Alderney/Southampton routes.

In answer to a question from Alderney representative Alex Snowdon, Deputy Ferbrache said things were moving on and only recently P&R had written to the new chief executive of Aurigny in relation to this, and if it accepted the contents of that letter, the matter would be resolved.