Islanders invited to have their say on deputies’ pay
Everyone has a view on what States members are worth. But now their views are being sought – officially.
A questionnaire and three drop-in meetings are being offered to get reactions from individuals, representative groups and organisations from the Bailiwick before pay is agreed for the next political term.
Currently the basic salary for Guernsey resident States members is just more than £43,000, while for the presidents of the major committees it is £58,141. The president of the Policy & Resources Committee is the top earner, picking up £75,670.
The independent States members’ pay review panel, chaired by Richard Hamilton, alongside members Mick Fooks and Ed Freestone, is looking at the pay of all members, including those from Alderney, and non-States members of States committees.
It has already met several times and held a meeting with States members.
‘We had a very wide and varied set of feedback from them,’ said Mr Hamilton.
The aim of the consultation is to get input from an array of sources and to give people as much opportunity as possible to get to the panel.
That will see three simultaneous public meetings taking place on Saturday 27 April with one of the three members present at each.
A new panel is appointed at the end of the political term, with the outgoing Assembly considering its recommendations. Mr Hamilton said this level of consultation was borne out of feedback from the last panel’s activities.
Current deputies’ salaries have been subject to annual inflation-linked increases, but the previous Assembly from 2016-2020 had its pay fixed at the start of the term with no index-linking.
‘We have to decide whether the current remuneration level properly reflects the level of work that’s carried out,’ said Mr Hamilton, adding that this will include whether or not it is index-linked. Many deputies had provided their views on this particular aspect.
While not being drawn on whether comparisons would be made with Guernsey’s civil service salaries, he said the panel had researched widely. ‘We have looked at other jurisdictions to see how they operate. Anything we think is relevant will be included.’
Mr Hamilton said the panel hoped its report would be completed by the end of the year.
Saturday’s meetings are from 9.30am to noon and will take place at the Guille-Alles Library, St Martin’s Community Centre and the Salvation Army Cafe off the Bridge. The survey is available at www.gov.gg/DeputiesPaySurvey and paper copies can be collected from Sir Charles Frossard House and Edward T Wheadon House or from the States of Alderney’s general office at the Island Hall.
