Alderney chief exec's departure one reason for States member’s resignation

Mr Woodhead resigned on New Year’s Eve.

He was elected unopposed in December 2022 – when only four people stood for five seats – and his term of office ran until the end of 2026.

Speaking to the Guernsey Press yesterday, Mr Woodhead said that his resignation had been prompted by ‘one or two’ recent decisions made by the States of Alderney that he disagreed with, one of which was the departure of Mr Leijser.

The States of Alderney has refused to be drawn on the reasons why it parted ways with Mr Leijser, stating that it did not comment on specifics relating to matters between an employee and their employer.

Mr Woodhead said he did not wish to discuss the intricacies of the matter either, adding it was a ‘confidential area’ for the Policy & Finance Committee.

However, he said it had helped him make up his mind on whether or not to resign.

Now 82, he said that his age was also a major factor in his decision.

When he was first elected in 2022, he said he had not initially planned to stand, as he was in his 80th year, and was keen to get younger blood into the States.

But with so few candidates then, he stood to try and ensure there was an election.

‘I anticipated that younger people would come through eventually and that I may well retire,’ he said.

‘I think those younger than me will be able to achieve more in the coming years.’

He dismissed claims that the sudden resignation of former P&F chairman Nigel Vooght last month was a reason for his decision.

‘Because we came into the States together in 2022 I think a lot of people treat us as a pair, and we are good friends, but my decision is definitely not to do with Nigel’s resignation.’

He also denied that a recent Code of Conduct complaint lodged against him, as well as States members Ian Carter and Alex Snowdon, relating to their decision as part of the island’s Building and Development Control Committee to refuse a planning application to build a new house, had had an impact on his resignation.

‘The complaint came out of the blue, I don’t really understand why it was made, somebody is clearly aggrieved, but it had no influence on me whatsoever.’

He said his that two years as a politician had coincided with what he called a ‘difficult period’ for the States of Alderney, with ongoing issues with the island’s runway the primary concern.

However, he said he was ‘very pleased’ to have done a two-year stint, calling the experience ‘eye-opening.’

‘Part of me is sad to leave as the States have a lot of things ready to go and there is a bit of optimism in place at the moment despite everything.

‘I’m proud of the work that has been done. Inevitably there is always criticism but it usually comes from people who don’t understand how it all works.’