DPA pulls back from ‘snoopers’ charter’ law

It announced late yesterday that it would support Deputy Neil Inder’s amendment to remove what he has labelled a ‘snoopers’ charter’ from the proposed ‘clear up’ regime.

‘We’ve listened to concerns raised about certain elements of these proposals and want to take the opportunity to clarify that the intention of the policy letter is to tackle known eyesores in our urban centres and rural areas,’ said DPA president Victoria Oliver.

‘Given that [the] amendment does not undermine the intended purpose, we are supportive of this and grateful for the reassurance and clarity it provides both to States members and members of the public.’

The DPA’s proposals, published last October and due to be debated by the States this week, set out how civil notices could be issued to force property owners to make improvements. If they failed to comply, the States could step in to do the work and force the property owner to pay.

States committees were excluded from the original proposals – though the DPA said yesterday that it would oppose another amendment which recommends including the States within the new law.

The proposer of that amendment, Deputy Lester Queripel, has said that excluding the States would be unfair on private land owners, especially when some property owned by the States is or has recently been unsightly.

‘The DPA is, by a majority, opposed to [this] amendment,’ said Deputy Oliver. Her vice-president, Deputy Andrew Taylor, is the only member who supports it.

‘We want to avoid a situation whereby one States committee is issuing a civil notice to another. This would be consistent with the current approach for land planning compliance notices.

‘This does not prevent internal discussions from taking place regarding land owned by the States. However, it does avoid an additional layer of bureaucracy and associated costs for the taxpayer.’