Promises now a matter of record

A THREAD exists through political life, of promises.

To get elected politicians pledge all sorts of things, and it is key to keep a close eye on whether they are delivering.

This is a role for all concerned about democracy, and it is not just up to the States itself, its committees, or the media – the best functioning democracies have active participation by the voters.

In four years' time everyone will want to make an informed decision on the success or otherwise of those swept to power this time around, and one key element of that is how members measure up against the promises they made.

One of the benefits of having a Hansard, which gives a full transcript of States proceedings, is the public have an undisputed permanent record of what each member has said.

If there has been more ambition shown by States members during the election process, the May Hansards of the elections could have become a cornerstone of monitoring of performance.

As it is we are left with tantalising glimpses of the direction some of the Policy Council want to take.

Each election to a post came with pledges – it is just a shame there were so many uncontested leaving a rump of publicly mute ministers.

Some have rectified that with detailed interviews, others should surely follow.

So what do we know from a bit of analysis of Hansard so far?

Social Security minister Allister Langlois hinted at some changes he would back.

Deputy Langlois said that there were signals unemployment could become a significant uncontrollable cost to Social Security, but the island still had a very low base of unemployment.

He talked of working closely with other departments, naturally.

But then added: 'It would be of great benefit investigating the possibilities for social impact bonds, systems which encourage private financing of personal development in return for work activities, rewarded on a payment by results basis.'

Social impact bonds have been promoted by those addressing the paradox that investing in prevention of social and health problems saves the public sector money, but that it is currently difficult for public bodies to find the funds and incentives to do so.

It therefore goes out to get money from the private sector, repaying it dependent on results being achieved.

Commerce and Employment minister Kevin Stewart said that the Office of Utility Regulation needed review.

He also backed raising money from the 4G spectrum and a presumption that people can work from their sheds, rather than you cannot.

'Let's develop the right conditions for start ups, premises, co-ordination of angles, the involvement of grey hair as mentors and advisers, incentives such as social insurance holidays, peppercorn rents on States owned properties... they should all be considered,' he said.

He also wanted to develop ICT – Guernsey should be a silicon island, he said.

'I have written an ICT discussion document with proposals on short, medium and long term strategies, and I believe this should be taken forward by a new inter-departmental digital committee.'

Hopefully that document will be released, there is no reason why it should not.

Pubic Services minister Paul Luxon gave away little in the way of new policy initiatives, but did stress the need to deliver on the initiatives under way.

'PSD has significant issues ahead, not least its requirement for a reduced budget in line with the FTP target of a £30 million reduction across the entire public sector expenditure spend,' he said.

'This will be challenging, but can and will be achieved by the board. Additionally, the department has to successfully deliver the current major airport project, implement the critically important waste strategy, and must also progress the in-depth work stream of developing proposals for the airport and harbour water commercialisation, for this Assembly to consider. There is much to do.'

Environment minister Roger Domaille was elected onto something of a poisoned chalice given the department's mandate and troubled reputation.

'I will develop the open planning process further, for example, perhaps allowing questions to be asked by the general public in open planning meetings,' he said.

He also suggested a council of stakeholders for all or some of the 28 parks and gardens, for example Saumarez Park.

'I will prioritise four important strategy areas. The first must be the formulation of an integrated transport strategy. I intend to submit firm proposals to this Assembly as soon as is practicable and, in any event, within 12 months. I would hope to submit proposals much earlier, but I do not underestimate the amount of work involved and the complexity of the various issues.'

His second priority was the development of more pro-active detailed development plans.

'In the interim, I would bring forward an extended exemptions ordinance to the States to introduce a little more flexibility in the current planning process.'

A coastal defence strategy was his third priority.

'If coastal defence has taken back stage, my fourth priority has not even made it to the stage door. At present we do not have a bio-diversity strategy.

'Our approach has been bottom up whereby we protect and encourage bio-diversity on States-owned land but have no over-arching strategy to cover the whole island.

'For instance, we have only limited powers to deal with invasive species, whether on land or in the water.

'I will submit an overall bio-diversity strategy to this Assembly as soon as is practical.'

Housing is another department where we have some idea of the direction the minister wants to go.

Again, Deputy Dave Jones stressed the success of his past track record and the need to deliver on policy formation already under way, including the population management regime, working together with Health and Social Services on the older people strategy, and delivering the new extra care homes.

He also said that by 2015 all existing States' houses will have been completely refurbished.

There is much to come over the next term which will either see all these initiatives delivered or scuppered – not least getting buy in by the rest of the board and the States. Some have an ambitious programme, for others it is more steady as she goes.

Inside Politics will keep track of progress – hopefully the electorate will too.