DELIBERATIONS OF 22-06-2009

Date: 22nd June, 2009

STATES OF ALDERNEY
DELIBERATIONS OF THE MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 22ND JUNE 2009
AT 17:30 HOURS

Present: Sir Norman Browse
 Mr R Willmott
 Mr W Walden
 Mr C Williams
 Mr I Tugby
 Mr A Llewellyn
 Mr P Allen
 Mr B Kelly
 Mr G Sargent
 Mr J Beaman

Mr J Richards represented His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Item l Proposed Increase in Water Rates

The States resolved to approve “The States Water Supply (Rates of Charge) (Alderney) Ordinance 2009”.

(Proposed by Mr Walden and seconded by Mr Llewellyn.)
(Approved by a majority all in favour except Messrs Allen and Beaman who voted against.)

Item ll Matters for which Ordinances may provide: Section 46 of the Government of Alderney Law, 2004

The States resolved to agree to repeal section 46(2) of the Government of Alderney Law, 2004 (“the Law”), and that this repeal be included in the amendments to the Law being drafted by the Law Officers.

(Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Beaman.)
(Approved unanimously.)

Item lll  The Licensing of Vessels (Alderney) Law, 2009

Item withdrawn.

Item lV Inter – Island Freight Shipping Agreement

The States resolved to agree that the Agreement made on 1 January 2003 between the States of Alderney and Alderney Shipping Company Limited for the provision of an inter-island freight service between Guernsey and Alderney shall continue to have effect for a further term of twelve months from the expiration of the present term as provided in clause 8(2) of the Agreement and that the Chief Executive be instructed to give the required notice. 

 (Proposed by Mr Walden and seconded by Mr Tugby.)
(Approved unanimously.)

Item V The Renewable Energy (Specified Committee) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009

The States resolved to approve “The Renewable Energy (Specified Committee) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009.”

Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Williams.
(Approved by a majority all in favour except Mr Beaman who voted against.)

Item Vl The Housing (Exemptions) (No.1) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009

The States resolved to approve “The Housing (Exemptions) (No.1) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009”.

Proposed by Mr Llewellyn and seconded by Mr Sargent.
(Approved unanimously.)

Item Vll The Housing (Exemptions) (No.2) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009

The States resolved to approve “The Housing (Exemptions) (No.2) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009”.     

Proposed by Mr Llewellyn and seconded by Mr Sargent.
(Approved unanimously.)

Item Vlll The Housing (Exemptions) (No.3) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009

The States resolved to approve “The Housing (Exemptions) (No.3) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2009”.     

Proposed by Mr Llewellyn and seconded by Mr Sargent.
(Approved unanimously.)

Item lX The Evidence in Civil Proceedings (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2009

The States resolved to revise its rejection of this law made on 22nd April 2009 and approve “The Evidence in Civil Proceedings (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2009”.

Proposed by Mr Williams and seconded by Mr Kelly.
(Approved by a majority all in favour except Messrs Allen and Beaman who voted against.)

Item X The Charities and Non Profit Organisations (Enabling Provisions) (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2009

The States resolved to approve “The Charities and Non Profit Organisations (Enabling Provisions) (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2009.”

Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Williams.
(Approved unanimously.)

Item Xl Questions and Reports

Mr Llewellyn read the following report on behalf of Mrs Bennett, Chairman of the Building and Development Control Committee:

“In December 2008 the BDCC proposed, and the States passed, revised Policy Guidelines. This document was the result of three years of considered debate by the committee. In January 2009 the committee had a mostly new membership and this, together with some major external changes which have impacted on Alderney, have already caused us to review again some of the Policy Guidelines. Whilst these are not yet finally drafted we are indicating our proposals now so that the public can be aware of our direction.

Exemption ordinances and C permits.
The BDCC finds that it is now more often facilitating multiple housing developments through Exemption Ordinances but would like to help more resident people to gain access to the housing market. To this end we are intending to:
1. Review the ‘C’ Permit system so as to increase benefits for locally resident people but at the same time making sure that houses so built remain in the ownership of Island residents.
2. Widen the definition of community gain as applied to exemption ordinances. The actual gain will be negotiated in each case and could be in the form of land, buildings or other contributions to infrastructure, landscaping etc. The concept of one third of a development being available for rent for 7 years is no longer useful and it is not considered to be of sufficient benefit to Alderney residents in the longer term.
3. Consider a fee for Exemption Ordinances later this year.

Sustainability
The Committee are in favour of the current guidelines on sustainability in buildings and plan to adopt the relevant parts of the UK building regulations to ensure achievement of certain standards. These will include, amongst other features, high levels of insulation, use of natural light, energy conservation, and rain water catchment and use.

Tree preservation
The current policy on trees will be enhanced. The Committee wishes to retain as many trees as possible and encourage the planting of native species and abides by the current guidelines which require that all persons wishing to prune or remove a tree should seek the advice of the States Engineer.”

The President was pleased to report that the Bailiff and Miss Barbara Benfield had received an honour from Her Majesty The Queen in the Birthday Honours list. The Bailiff was awarded a Knighthood for services to the Crown and the community in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Miss Benfield had been awarded an MBE for her voluntary services for care of the elderly, support of the young and fundraising activities for the community in Alderney.  The people of Alderney were delighted that Miss Benfield’s work had been recognised.

The President reported on Alderney’s attendance at the 40th Annual Conference of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) held in Guernsey last week.  The conference programme included two visits to Alderney one by the accompanying persons and the other by CPA Delegates from Jersey, Isle of Man and Malta.  The visiting delegates attended a presentation on tidal power and a tour of the new commercial quay development.  A full report would be presented to the next meeting of the States.

Meeting ended: 18:50

Issued 30th June 2009