Alderney States slashes its meetings by a third

Normally there would be 10 meetings a year – held monthly except in February and August.

But this year’s schedule, published yesterday, showed there would be no meetings in April, June or November, meaning there will be just seven in 2024. A statement from the States of Alderney stated that this aimed to ‘enable better alignment with Policy & Finance Committee schedules’.

‘There are fewer meetings this year in order to allow civil servants more time to work with committees on policy proposals,’ said a States of Alderney spokesman.

‘The number of States meetings ensures that all necessary policies are progressed in a timely fashion and makes the decision-making process more streamlined.’

States member Alex Snowdon is drawing up questions for next week’s meeting to challenge Policy & Finance on the move. He believed it had been driven by P&F chairman Nigel Vooght.

P&F, which involves every States member, used to hold committee meetings every month, except August, but this was trimmed back to once every six weeks last year.

Mr Snowdon said it was not right that States meetings – which were open to the public – were now being slimmed back to fit with P&F’s agenda.

‘I’m extremely disappointed,’ he said. ‘I’m concerned more decisions will be made behind closed doors [at committee meetings].’

He noted that Guernsey States was now largely on a three-week cycle, due to the amount of business to cover. Yet Alderney was cutting back meetings.

‘We should be encouraging more meetings,’ he said.

‘There needs to be openness and transparency.’

Among the Alderney committees, Economic Development meets monthly, while the General Services Committee meets every six weeks.

The next States meeting will be held next Wednesday 13 March and follows on from the first meeting of the year in January.

Future meetings are scheduled for 15 May, 10 July, 18 September, 16 October and 18 December.

All States Meetings are open to the public and can be heard live on QuayFM or online.