Political party wants to see a ‘Guernsey Expects’ policy
ONE hundred days since the new Assembly was formed, a party which set out its goals for the States over this period has published a progress report.
The Guernsey Party was one of three parties to put forward candidates for October’s election. Of the nine who stood, six were successful.
The only other party which saw any success was the Guernsey Partnership of Independents, which fielded 21 and gained 10 seats. The Alliance Party put forward 11 candidates, none of whom were successful.
Ahead of the election the Guernsey Party set out goals that it wished the new Assembly to reach in its first 100 days.
Many of these were to see work started in particular areas, and while some focused on practical projects, others looked at finances and priorities in general.
A review of the States’ capital expenditure plan and an assessment of which projects needed to be prioritised, cancelled or suspended was one goal and Policy & Resources has already started a prioritisation programme with a limited number of States resolutions and committee priorities are being focused on, so that they can be achieved this term.
This move by P&R also ties in with the Guernsey Party’s goal of suspending the internal capital expenditure process, along with more liaison between P&R and committees to ‘enhance co-operation, policy alignment and delivery’.
A lack of investment had led to the shrinkage of the island’s building industry and the party wanted to see its ability to cope with any investment by the States in infrastructure development and for a ‘rapid re-skilling project’ to be considered to provide the necessary labour, along with possible changes to the Population Management Law.
In line with this, Economic Development, whose members include the party’s Deputy Simon Vermeulen, is reviewing the law.
Other areas where there has been progress include party leader Deputy Mark Helyar being appointed to lead the Seafront Enhancement Committee and his meeting, along with EcoDev president Neil Inder, with local telecoms providers towards a view to the enhanced roll-out of faster broadband.
The party would like to see a ‘Guernsey Expects’ policy brought in across all committees, ensuring they appoint high-calibre independent members and to work with each other ‘collaboratively and creatively’.
In line with this, all committees on which Guernsey Party members sit are reported to be engaging with, appointing or have appointed external resources to bring in a wide range of free local expertise to support their work.
There was also a call for an emergency review/restructure of Aurigny and meetings have already taken place to look at steps for the strategic management of the airline.
There have also been discussions about the use of renewable energy.
The party wanted to see a public ‘solar fund’ set up in relation to self-generation of electricity.
Its report said that following meetings priority is going to be given to private funding rather than using public funds.
Discussions were also ongoing relating to the funding of States trading assess and the regulation of electricity prices.
Areas that have not yet been addressed, or have been discussed but no further action taken, include the party’s call for P&R to form a joint working group with the States’ Assembly and Constitution Committee to ‘consider the restructuring of responsibilities in relation to committees which control functions having a direct effect on the economy/employment’.
This has not happened so far.
‘Discussed but not commenced’ was the idea of creating a ‘red tape hotline’ for the public and States’ employees to highlight areas that prevent or delay economic activity.
