Sarah Hansmann Rouxel served for four years in the States from 2016 to 2020, but lost her seat at that election. She got back into the States at last month’s elections, claiming the 38th and final spot.
She has since been elected unopposed to lead Sacc, and has outlined a number of ambitions for the committee.
She said that along with the committee’s established workstreams, including the number of deputies in the States, and reviewing the role of the States of Election, she ‘wants to offer something different’ and certainly to ensure that members are well supported.
‘The more informed we are, the more confident we can be in our work, and the better we serve the people of Guernsey,’ she said.
And that includes mental health first aid training for members.
‘I also believe we need to be honest about the mental health impact of this role. Like all modern workplaces, we should recognise that States members are human, and that the pressures and expectations we face can sometimes feel overwhelming. It is not a weakness to acknowledge this. It is a strength.’
This training would enable deputies to better support each other and understand when colleagues may be struggling.
‘If we want a functional parliament, we need a healthy parliament. Supporting mental health and wellbeing isn’t a luxury. It makes us more productive, more resilient and better able to deliver the people of Guernsey.’
Deputy Hansmann Rouxel also wants to avoid future debates about the shape of the States and its rules from slipping into ‘navel-gazing’.
‘When we spend two days debating minor changes to procedure, I think it’s fair to say something’s gone wrong. I want to keep the rules under review, but I want that to happen in the right space and with the right process.’
She is looking at regular ‘interactive’ sessions for deputies to discuss internal issues before they reach the States. ‘It means proposals are better developed, better understood and more likely to gain support.’
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