The old, the young, and the Old Quarter

It is obvious we have an ageing population. However, there never seems to be discussion as to the reasons behind this.

Some years ago the States, in their ‘wisdom’, deemed it a good idea to change the rules from requiring licence holders to complete 15 years’ work and contributions to the island before becoming eligible to stay here indefinitely and reduced this commitment to a paltry eight years of licensed employment. Many have moved to the island towards the end of their careers, working eight years before retiring here which then necessitates a further licence being granted to a new incumbent who again only needs to complete eight years before retiring – an expensive merry-go-round for the island’s property and services requirements. Also just eight years, as now being discussed, is nowhere near enough in contributions towards later care for life. Surely this rule must be reversed.

In regard to the new later-life care packages – residency of just five years was always far too low a threshold. However, with the proposed new charges this needs far more consideration. Those that have always contributed into the system and prepared for their later years are those that will continue to pay, whereas those in society that have always relied on the States will continue to be cared for – cradle to grave. It is of course recognised that there will always be those, who through no fault of their own, find themselves on hard times and will need to be helped.

Encouraging our young and qualified to stay or return to the island

There is now discussion about the possibility of offering young locally-qualified professionals incentives to return to the island. Incentives should also be offered to those who choose to study on-island to stay here e.g. locally-trained nurses are given no incentive to stay on-island after qualifying, but with no real prospects of being able to afford a property of their own, and probably still living in the family home end up leaving the island, whereas the States package for importing qualified staff is generous in the extreme, often paying rents for up to four years. It must be quite soul destroying, so surely it would be far more cost effective to offer incentive packages of some sort to local qualified staff.

Regeneration of the Old Quarter

The state of the Old Quarter is really sad and quite depressing. A number of years ago I wrote to all prospective candidates for St Peter Port before a general election with an idea to help regenerate the area and received a lots of support for the idea. Sadly, of course, that was the end of it.

The idea of a States/business enterprise for a multi-storey car park built behind Sir Charles Frossard House under the cliff. This would have zero impact on the visual impact of the area being tucked in between the cliff and the offices. It could be funded by joint enterprise, parking fees paid by corporates and be a perk for employees with guaranteed parking with just a short walk into Town.

With the increased footfall into Town this would once again help make small shops and cafes viable and help turn the area back into the vibrant area it was once with the added benefit of again becoming an area tourists would want to visit. This would hopefully have a positive knock-on effect on Town, which is sadly dying – thank goodness for Creaseys. Surely this idea is worthy of further investigation?

JEAN BISHOP