Multiple factors in Herm fiasco
Herm Island leaseholder John Singer described the States debate which gave the island’s tiny school a reprieve, just three days into its temporary closure, as ‘arduous’ for himself and for deputies.
By the end of Friday, its dictionary definition – ‘involving or requiring strenuous effort, difficult and tiring’ – seemed appropriate.
And a States member from another smaller jurisdiction warned that deputies, and the community, can expect more of this to come.
Alderney representative Alex Snowdon told his colleagues until a tax plan is agreed, deputies can expect to face more emotional debates over tough decisions driven by a lack of funding.
Yet there was more to this debate than simply a financial ‘crisis’.
Concern about what was described as ‘tearing at the very fabric of the Bailiwick’?
A classic mishandling of the communications and delivery of a tough call by ESC? Or members once again ganging up on a wounded committee, as happened in the debate over its flagship education strategy?
In the end there was probably a part of all four issues in this debate, with Education breathing a sigh of relief that it has not been set up for an either/or capital projects debate against the hospital next month.
Given the current prevailing mood, the committee might have been ready to breathe its last.
