Affordable housing on BIC agenda in Jersey
GUERNSEY was represented at a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Jersey yesterday.
The summit focused on the development of green and affordable housing, with a development in Jersey of new social housing at The Limes, a former nursing home and base for health key-worker accommodation in St Helier, visited by the delegation.
The high-rise development will create 127 new apartments and a daycare centre with parking in the basement, and is being hailed as an example of innovative housing delivery.
The meeting also considered efforts being made to deliver on energy efficiency, de-carbonisation, and providing suitable and affordable housing.
‘This is a challenge facing all member administrations as we look to tackle housing pressures alongside the need to address energy sustainability and resilience,’ said Peter Ferbrache, who represented the island.
Also present among the politicians including the UK’s Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
‘Guernsey is proud of the role it plays in the BIC and the opportunity it provides to engage on a wide range of policy matters with heads of administration from across Ireland, the UK and the Crown Dependencies to promote the harmonious and mutually-beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the people of these islands,’ said Policy & Resources president Deputy Ferbrache.
‘I look forward to the BIC forum continuing to develop and evolve as the political relationships between its member administrations continue to adapt, and it remains an invaluable forum for Guernsey to be a part of.’
Other matters discussed included the Ukraine situation, the rising cost of living, the energy crisis, labour shortages, housing pressures, climate change and working through trade agreements with the EU.
Guernsey also took the opportunity to speak to Jersey leaders and officials on matters including healthcare, energy, digital government and connectivity.
