The senior committee said the future of tax, housing, healthcare, the harbours and support for families were the most pressing issues facing the States over the next few years.
It hopes they will support economic growth and improve wellbeing as part of a revised draft government work plan which the Assembly will be asked to approve early in 2026.
‘We’ve talked with and listened to our colleagues across the different committees and finalised our proposals for the government work plan, which we believe are an accurate summary of the States’ priorities overall,’ said P&R president Lindsay de Sausmarez.
Previous versions of the plan faced criticism for containing more objectives than the States could meet and failing to set clear targets against which committees could be held accountable.
‘We hope this will help bring the States’ priorities to life in a way that makes sense to the community, with clarity on the progress that needs to be made on the big issues facing our island,’ said Deputy de Sausmarez.
‘High-level strategies can be very dry, but we’re keen to set out what we think is realistically deliverable, so people can judge this States on the progress made on the super priorities by 2029 when our term of office ends.’
The five super priorities announced today were: decide and deliver tax reform, clear and commence site development at Leale’s Yard, agree and advance a sustainable health and care system, shape and strengthen the focus on early years and families, and determine and design future harbours infrastructure.
Three of those – tax reform, Leale’s Yard and the harbours – were meant to have been agreed during the previous States term but numerous debates ended without clear policy directions.
What P&R has said about its proposed super priorities for the 2025-29 political term
Decide and deliver tax reform
‘By the end of the term, we need to have agreed and implemented tax reform. The chosen tax strategy will need to balance the budget, support ongoing investment in the islands’ infrastructure and start rebuilding our financial reserves.’
Clear and commence site development at Leale’s Yard
‘This term we will prioritise the delivery of an improved road layout, transport system and flood attenuation systems, and design, agree and gain permission for the site master plan and connectivity.’
Agree and advance a sustainable health and care system
‘Before the end of term, the States will be asked to agree a programme of changes to health and care to deliver a system suitable in scale and size for our island. We will also have implemented the interim measures for long-term care agreed last term, and the States will have agreed a new long-term care model.’
Shape and strengthen the focus on early years and families
‘By the end of the term, a strategy will be in place that includes defining the States’ goals for a family-friendly community, access to early years health and care services, the funding and quality of childcare and early education, managing gaps and risks in services for vulnerable children, supporting and providing opportunities for families in Guernsey, working towards the integration of cross-committee services, preventative approaches to care and support, and ensuring that our legislation is modern and fit for purpose.’
Determine and design future harbours infrastructure
‘By the end of the term, P&R will have presented a detailed case for harbour infrastructure, including a decision on the proposed pool marina project, and completed the detailed design work for the preferred option.’
