Guernsey Press

P&R to have sign-off on Education’s plans

LET’S just get on with it, was a typical reaction to Deputy Lyndon Trott’s plea that the whole States should get final sign-off on Education’s secondary schools model when the detailed plans are drawn up.

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Deputy Lyndon Trott. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 29972729)

Deputy Trott’s amendment asked that delegated authority to the senior committee should be replaced so that the Assembly would get the last say.

The motion was lost by 20 votes to 16.

Deputy Trott opened the debate by saying that in his younger years he was a massive risk taker and thrill seeker, whether that was as an acrobatic pilot or a city trader.

However, these were calculated risks, otherwise it would have been gambling, and he complained that there was not enough information in the policy letter before them.

‘We are not paid to gamble, we’re paid to make objective, evidence-based decisions.

‘It is premature and reckless to approve this entire plan, and all the expenditure associated with it, while there is so much work to do to persuade key stakeholders.

‘If stakeholders remain unpersuaded, history will repeat itself and the plans approved by the States will be dragged back to the Assembly by popular demand.’

In contrast, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, the president of Policy & Resources, thought it was a ‘well researched policy letter’ and he called the amendment a delaying tactic.

‘People in Guernsey have had enough. Overwhelmingly, they’ve had enough of this House procrastinating.’

Amendment seconder Deputy Charles Parkinson thought that suggestions of a delay were a ‘red herring’, and that it was a ‘huge gamble’ to delegate approval to P&R.

‘At the end of the day this is about doing the right thing with taxpayers’ money. At the end of the day we’re all responsible for these tens of millions of pounds.’

Deputy John Dyke thought further delay would be ‘totally irresponsible’ and he added that teachers were ‘all over the place’ with their views.

‘This narrative that the teachers are against the department is completely wrong and misleading.’

For Deputy Andrew Taylor the issue at stake was trust.

‘I am happy to delegate my vote to members of P&R and members of ESC, and the reason is that I don’t see that as gambling.’