Rob Prow: ‘Our silo committee approach isn’t working’

I am at the point of completing my second term in the States, which has been an honour and a privilege. Guernsey is about to embark on its second island-wide election so I should like to reflect on my time as a deputy and perhaps suggest where the island’s government needs to go.

The last time I penned some words to the Guernsey Press was to encourage those with an interest to stand for election, with a slightly tongue-in-cheek comparison to the journey to the moon. I quoted former US President John F Kennedy’s iconic speech ‘Why go to the moon’. I am now reminded of Henry Ford’s quote: ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’

I shall try referring to the highlights. Too many commentators and politicians dwell on negatives, ad nauseum, which can reflect badly on how Guernsey is perceived, to the delight of our competitors. To slightly misquote former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair: ‘Popularism is about exploiting the problems rather that providing the solutions.’

In my first term, among other things, I sat on the Health & Social Care Committee, where funding needed to be brought under control, with a realisation that an ageing demographic required a sharper focus on preventing illness and promoting health improvement. Life-saving ‘Nice TA’ medicines and treatments were introduced, as was a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

However, the most enjoyable experience, from the outset of this term, was having the honour of being appointed as president of Home Affairs. I had the great advantage of an excellent team of States members and an outstanding non-voting member.

It is generally acknowledged that Home Affairs has completed a huge programme of work which was thankfully well supported in the Chamber.

The Bailiwick was facing a Moneyval evaluation and there has been a significant focus on activity aimed at combatting complex financial crime. This involved the development of a significant programme of legislative reform that has improved the Bailiwick’s statutory response to tackling money laundering and its ability to recover the proceeds of unlawful conduct using enhanced civil remedies and through developing the capabilities of the Economic and Financial Crime Bureau and Financial Intelligence Unit. I had the privilege to chair the strategic oversight forum, so I was aware this was a tough test for any jurisdiction and at the beginning of the term there were unwelcome mutterings of grey-listing emanating from dark corners. Due to a professional and sustained programme of work across government, the authorities and our magnificent finance industry, an outstanding result was achieved. The final Moneyval evaluation report was received at the beginning of February 2025. The committee was delighted to be able to report that the Bailiwick achieved a highly successful outcome. This secures the Bailiwick’s position as one of the best, most secure and safest jurisdictions in the world for financial services.

Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, necessary amendments have been made this term to customs legislation and the extended Immigration Acts, through policies to fulfil the obligations of the Customs Union, Free Trade Arrangements and the Common Travel Area.

The committee considered cyber and telecoms security a priority and has developed strategies critical to ensuring that Guernsey continues to be a stable, secure and attractive place to live and do business. Young people today are growing up online and it is essential that government provides the tools to help them navigate the content that is at their fingertips.

At the get-go, the committee identified tackling domestic abuse and establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Willow House, among its priorities. The first step was broadening the Domestic Abuse Strategy to include sexual violence. Raising awareness of this social problem, with the objective of reducing instances of domestic abuse and sexual violence, was achieved by working with third-sector partners, Safer, Victim Support and Witness Service and SafetyNet, which enabled an open conversation on these issues, which affect many in our community.

Looking to the future, all the brave candidates who put themselves forward will have their own valuable and well-considered views. I will suggest from my experience where change and transformation should be considered.

Many believe our committee system of silo government is broken and no longer fit for purpose. This is evidenced by the lack of collegiate action and procrastination around the challenges that beset us. The economy, affordable housing, upskilling the local workforce and making public services sustainable, including health, remain unresolved.

Our silo committee approach is not seen elsewhere. It needs transformation into an executive-style, collective and co-ordinated government system, with fewer deputies, held to account through identifiable leadership. The Isle of Man model operates with 24 elected members, compared to our 40, and operates an effective ministerial executive system, combined with a more robust system of scrutiny. A new Assembly must quickly dust off the respected 2000 Harwood Report and reorganise government machinery to one that gets things done.

It is a fact that our economy is in dire straits. We have amassed a huge deficit. Multiple failed States debates are evidence of our tendency to bury heads in the sand and lack courage to grasp this nettle. The economy can only grow if government invests in vital crumbling infrastructure. The list of agreed capital projects outstanding amount to a staggering £1bn. The Isle of Man and Jersey, our biggest competitors, have a consumption tax. The former collects £1bn. in three years and the latter the same in nine years.

I suggest, from the get-go, the Assembly must set fiscal policy. It must consider the implementation of the agreed progressive tax package, or one very much like it, and acknowledge consumption tax is established globally and spreads the tax base. The package allows reduction of income tax to 15% on the first £30,000 earned and reform of social insurance contributions to make them less regressive.

Pillar Two global rules on corporate income tax need to be progressed to conclusion, without harming our vital finance industry, hopefully to raise approximately £30m. a year.

Just about everyone agrees that there is a housing crisis. We need to view this through the lens of local residents. The dream for families to own a home is disappearing and rents are becoming unaffordable. We are not building enough houses and our English-based development laws are over-engineered. We must build on the Development & Planning Authority’s admirable de-regulation efforts. An investigation into our extortionate cost of building materials, compared to the UK and Jersey, is also needed. States-owned land and buildings must come into the equation. A scheme of truly affordable loans to first-time buyers needs to be brought into government scope. The work of our excellent Guernsey Housing Association needs to continue to be supported.

Guernsey needs to attract local people into our businesses, industries and public services. We have become reliant upon overseas labour and professionals to keep the economy and front-line requirements going. We need to be appreciative and welcome them, whether on short or longer contracts. The business sector currently simply cannot do without them. However, we need to be mindful of the demands on our services and housing. I suggest we orientate our education and workforce upskilling toward filling our recruitment demands, focusing on Guernsey residents. Industry and government’s ‘Skills Guernsey’ should combine to tailor our curriculum, and careers service toward those skills. Much more emphasis must be challenged into our excellent Guernsey Institute which will benefit from an essential new facility next term.

Government needs to make public services sustainable and fit for purpose. As outlined, we need to reform government and fix the economy. However, this must go hand in glove with reviewing public services. We know that Guernsey spends less on its government than just about anywhere, and we enjoy outstanding front-line professionals. But, like in all jurisdictions, transformation is still essential, especially alongside fiscal policy pressures. In a unique, small island jurisdiction, we clearly have opportunities, including ending our committee system, avoiding silos and duplication and fragmentation of effort.

We must absolutely protect frontline services, but our target operating delivery models and corporate service provision require reform. We should look more into commissioning to our outstanding local third sector. We should support and incentivise our public servants and work with them to modernise and become more efficient. Investing in training, development, staff appraisal accountability and performance-related progression are key.

These are just my reflections, and I applaud all those with courage to stand. This is the public’s chance to consider the manifestos which will land on doorsteps soon and shape our fantastic island the way you want it.