Development agency scrutiny is welcome
GIVEN that the original debate which spawned next week’s debate on the establishment of a development agency was described as ‘not the States’ finest hour’, a rash of amendments in advance might be cause for some concern.
Debate last summer which junked half a dozen expensive options for harbour redevelopment in favour of consideration of a development agency might be fairly described as a bit ‘messy’.
Now amendments are flying in, seeking to bring clarity to a debate promising to become just as messy.
Policy & Resources believes that by following many other jurisdictions in establishing such a development agency, the long-awaited prospect of redevelopment of the harbours, and the stretch of coastline which runs between them, has a much better chance of eventually becoming reality.
But in its policy letter P&R admits that beyond the concept, it doesn’t have much detail at this stage to flesh out the report.
It encourages deputies to back the oft-heard statement that the States can use external expertise to get things done more effectively, and without increasing the size of government.
But when the report also accepts that it would take ‘considerable authority and control’ away from politicians, it’s no surprise that we understand there has been considerable behind-the-scenes work from deputies to pull amendments together.
Deputy Mark Helyar, leading on the project for P&R, working alongside Deputy Gavin St Pier on some of them is, though, a welcome indication that if the plans aren’t presently perfect, they can at least take the States and islanders to a better place in the medium term. Even the bid to keep decision-making power with deputies is worth a debate.
The report told members that once they had agreed they wanted an agency, detail on what it would do would follow.
The proposed amendments are, to an extent, protecting States members’ engagement in east coast redevelopment rather than demonstrating enthusiasm for ceding it, but that is understandable – one, because it’s what deputies do, and two, as the political, financial and reputational risks of outsourcing in this way are significant.
Not every development agency worldwide has been a success. So scrutiny now to protect good governance and reputation is welcome.