Its senior committee, Policy & Finance, which has a majority of States members in its membership, has agreed a number of proposals on government reform, which it has submitted to the law officers for consideration before final approval.
The committee considered options including moving to a full executive system but has concluded that a modified committee system is appropriate.
It intends to cut to just eight members, and to look again at how to elect two members to represent the island in the States of Guernsey.
‘Many of these issues featured in members’ election manifestos and have been debated for a long period of time,’ said P&F chair Jeannie Cameron, who herself was elected at a by-election less than a year ago.
‘Governance reform in Alderney is not new, and significant work and several rounds of discussion have taken place to reach the point we arrived at this week.
'What has been agreed now is a clear, structured way forward for reform including testing public opinion on the plebiscite, obtaining legal advice on proposals to reduce membership of the States – which will streamline decision making and improve efficiencies, and determining when the proposals will be delivered.’
Less than 20 years ago Alderney’s States had 12 representatives.
It moved to 10 for elections in 2008 and now wants to drop to just eight members, by having only three vacancies instead of five at elections this November.
Those elected would serve just two years, instead of the usual four, enabling an election for the full States to take place in November 2028, which would reduce election costs and enhance continuity.
P&F will also ask the public for their views on the plebiscite election for Guernsey representatives and whether it should continue. The system has been ‘on trial’ since 2006.
At the end of last year States members voted themselves an 83% pay rise over the course of the next two years.
Losing two members will effectively negate the total cost of the increase.
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