P&R appoints St Pier as corporate services lead

It means he will take political responsibility for functions centralised under P&R, such as information technology, data protection and public relations across the States.

The senior committee announced yesterday that Deputy St Pier’s portfolio was expanding further, following his recent appointment as its vice-president and lead member for treasury and resources, which includes States finances, human resources and pay.

‘P&R was of the view that this role reflects both the current need in the rules for a lead member for corporate services and also provides for a broader interpretation given the greater need to focus on public service resilience, security and governance,’ said a committee spokesman.

The rules of procedure require P&R to designate one of its members as the States’ lead for the services provided by its officials to or on behalf of other committees.

The requirement was inserted into the rules by an amendment led by former deputy Heidi Soulsby in 2019.

The role was held by former deputy Bob Murray for most of the last States term.

However, the Guernsey Press understands that P&R is considering approaching the States Assembly & Constitution Committee with a proposal to scrap the requirement to appoint a lead member of corporate services.

The senior committee is believed to want more flexibility in how it allocates its workload between members.

Deputy St Pier, pictured, opposed the creation of the role, which was agreed by the States when he was P&R president.

He said at the time that it was likely to lead to more bureaucracy.

Instead he favoured setting up working groups with members of various committees, but that idea was rejected by the Assembly.

External relations and constitutional affairs is the only other portfolio in which P&R is required to appoint a lead member.