Attempt to get Assembly socialising fails to excite

But chief party-starter Lester Queripel is undeterred at the lack of enthusiasm shown so far.

He emailed colleagues suggesting sports and social events for deputies, but received only nine positive replies, and 24 deputies did not even

respond.

The States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee is in charge of the rules governing deputies, but it is also responsible for support and welfare.

The committee’s most recent meeting heard an update on Deputy Queripel’s mission that they should all bond more over fun activities or events.

He explained that only nine deputies had indicated an interest, although that number did not include the five members of Sacc, who were already on board with the idea.

Sacc president Carl Meerveld suggested that they present members with a specific event, such as a barbecue in his back garden, where they could all get to know each other as people.

At that initial event they could then test the appetite for other activities.

There was some scepticism about holding a football match because this was considered ‘a bit too full-on’ and could cause injuries.

It was noted that at a cricket match involving deputies one member had torn his Achilles tendon.

Deputy John Gollop mentioned that the last time he was in Deputy Meerveld’s garden he had nearly trodden on a guinea pig, but it was felt that this hazard could be averted in future.

Sedate activities like petanque, walking football, quizzes, and putting teams into local events like the Harbour Carnival and Rocquaine Regatta were all considered to be ideal.

In the previous Assembly, former deputies Mary Lowe and Michelle Le Clerc had organised social events, but since they were no longer serving, a social gap had emerged.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen was commended for organising a team of deputies to take part in the Skipton Swimarathon.

Deputy Queripel said he was optimistic that they could move on from the barbecue and drum up support for further events.

He thought the new Assembly was more friendly and cohesive than the last, and further interaction could be nurtured.

‘There’s lots of ideas and I think my initial disappointment was probably not really justified because we are still very early in the Assembly, we’ve only been in office nine months and the new members of the Assembly are still getting to grips with the whole thing.

‘So in retrospect I think I was perhaps expecting too much.

‘I feel a bit more positive now after talking it over with my colleagues on Sacc and I feel a bit more heartened that Deputy Meerveld has come up with a very solid suggestion to have a barbecue in his garden.’