Jersey politician pays official visit to Alderney
A rare official visit by a Jersey politician to Alderney has taken place.
Inter-island connectivity, renewable energy and the ‘blue economy’ formed part of discussions made between Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development and Alderney’s Policy & Finance Committee.
Deputy Kirsten Morel, who was accompanied by an officer from Jersey’s Department for the Economy, was invited to Alderney by Alderney’s Economic Development Committee for an informal two-day visit.
Prior to a tour of Alderney’s heritage sites with historian Colin Partridge and Visit Alderney’s Caroline Gauvain, EDC members Alex Snowdon and Boyd Kelly discussed the economic opportunities for both islands with the Jersey contingent.
Additional meetings took place with the Alderney Chamber of Commerce, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the Fort Group, the Alderney Society, and the Policy & Finance Committee.
‘Alderney has been tremendously welcoming and our discussions on issues ranging from connectivity to renewable energy have been productive,’ said Deputy Morel.
‘I believe that there are opportunities for all the Channel Islands to work more closely together in many areas, and I have committed to exploring opportunities for greater cooperation across all sectors.’
States member and EDC chairman Alex Snowdon said that it was a pleasure to host Deputy Morel and to consider how the islands could work together for the benefit of all.
‘Much of the discussion centred around how the Channel Islands as a whole can be promoted as a destination for inward investment and tourism centred on our collective rich heritage and business opportunities,’ he said.
Policy & Finance deputy chairman Ian Carter said that Jersey’s changed approach to agricultural subsidies was encouraging.
‘Jersey has markedly changed its approach to agricultural subsidies by replacing them with land management support much more appropriate for the modern era,’ he said.
‘They have done that very successfully and kindly offered to share with us how they have achieved such a progressive policy.
'It was also important to discuss the key aspects of transport and renewable energy and we have found a common objective on both subjects which we hope will lead to greater cooperation in the coming years.’
Alderney is self-governing but reliant on Guernsey for issues including immigration, healthcare services, education and the airfield. It used to have a direct air link with Jersey.