BILLET D`ETAT FOR 07-05-2010

Date: 7th May, 2010

Members of the States:

I have the honour to inform you that the Meeting of the States will be held at 5:30 pm on Wednesday 19th May 2010.  This will be preceded by the People's Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 12th May 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Island Hall.
Sir Norman Browse
President

Item l - The Clerk’s House

The following letter has been received from Mr Willmott, Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee:-

“The property known as The Clerk’s House in Braye Road was constructed in the mid seventies to provide, as its name suggests, accommodation for the Clerk of the States.  Prior to its construction the Clerk of the States had been provided with accommodation at Butes House. Historically this accommodation has been rented to the incumbent at a percentage of salary.

However on recruitment of the new CEO my Committee agreed that the house should not form part of the salary package, instead allowing the successful applicant the freedom and flexibility of renting suitably sized accommodation in the private sector.

This was the only remaining States of Alderney post inclusive of accommodation, and therefore the disposal of this property would place all posts on an equal footing.

The house is not considered suitable as a social housing property.  The previous tenant confirmed that it was an expensive property to heat/maintain and therefore it does not fit the principles of providing affordable accommodation. Furthermore the property is in need of repair and modernisation which would require additional funding if the States were to retain the property.

Taking the above into account, and coupled with the current requirement for capital income, my Committee in consultation with the Finance Advisory Group recommend the sale of the property, in order to assist in funding the capital program.

All three local Estate Agents have therefore been contacted and requested to advise of a sale value and a rental value, together with their terms and conditions should they be requested to market the property.

One of the Agents suggested selling the property by sealed tender.  This should result in a more efficient and timely sale, however a reserve would need to be agreed in order to ensure an appropriate amount is realised. It would not be prudent to reveal at this stage the valuation figures in case the sale by sealed tender option is chosen as the preferred sale method. However it is safe to say that the sale of this property should raise a substantial sum to assist in funding our capital program.

It is proposed that if the States agrees to the sale of The Clerk’s House my Committee should be delegated to negotiate terms with one or more of the local estate agents to market this property at the best realisable price.

I would therefore be grateful if you would place this matter before the States with appropriate propositions.

R.G. Willmott
Chairman”

The States is requested to resolve:

• 1. To agree to the sale of the property known as The Clerk’s House, and
• 2. That the Policy and Finance Committee be delegated to agree terms and appoint an agent or agents to market this property at the best realisable price.

Item ll    The States of Alderney Election Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010

The following letter has been received from Mr Willmott, Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee:-

“I attach a copy of the States of Alderney Election Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010. If approved it will repeal the existing Schedule 2 of the States of Alderney Election Procedure Ordinance, 1987 and replace it with a new schedule more closely following the wording of section 33(3) of the Government of Alderney Law, 2004 in which the entitlement to be registered as an elector is set out, and will also make provision for optional information to be requested of the applicant.

I would be grateful if the Ordinance could be placed before the States when it next meets together with an appropriate proposition.

R. G. Willmott
Chairman”

The States is asked to approve “The States of Alderney Election Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010.”  

Item Ill    Control of Dogs and Horses on Beaches

The following letter has been received from Mr Walden, Chairman of the General Services Committee:-

“In July 2004 the States approved ordinances entitled “The Control of Dogs (Amendment) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2004” and “The Horses (Controlled Places) (Amendment) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2004”.

The amending legislation extended the period of prohibition that both dogs and horses were allowed on specified beaches, namely Longis Bay, Braye Bay, Arch, Corblets and Saye Beaches to include the month of May, through to September.

The General Services Committee, as a result of representation made to them, have agreed to reduce the period of prohibition, to enable dogs and horses access to the specified beaches up to the 1st June and then from the 15th September onwards.

The necessary amending ordinances entitled “The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010” and “The Horses (Controlled Places) (Alderney) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010” have been drafted and are attached hereto.

I would be grateful if this matter could be placed before the States when it next meets together with an appropriate proposition.

W. Walden
Chairman”

The States is asked to approve “The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010” and “The Horses (Controlled Places) (Alderney) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010”.

Item lV    The Prohibition of Exportation of Ormers (Alderney) Ordinance, 2010

The following letter has been received from Mr Willmott, Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee:-

“Export controls on goods exported from the Bailiwick are currently applied under the provisions of the Import and Export (Control) (Alderney) Law of 1946 and its equivalent in Guernsey.  Orders are made under those laws to provide export prohibitions and restrictions on various goods.

It is proposed that the existing control orders and open licences should be repealed and replaced with updated versions that bring the Bailiwick’s export controls up to date and in line with those in place in the United Kingdom.  Bailiwick export orders have been drafted however it was noted that provision to protect the bivalve mollusc, Haliotis tuberculata, commonly known as an ormer, from Alderney would be required as this would not now be covered under the Bailiwick wide export order.

I attach a copy of “The Prohibition of Exportation of Ormers (Alderney) Ordinance, 2010” and would be grateful if this matter could be placed before the States when it next meets together with an appropriate proposition.

R. G. Willmott
Chairman”

The States is asked to approve “The Prohibition of Exportation of Ormers (Alderney) Ordinance, 2010”.

Item V    Questions and Reports