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DELIBERATIONS OF 23-05-2007
Date: 22nd May, 2007DELIBERATIONS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23RD MAY 2007 AT 17:30 HOURS
Present:
Sir Norman Browse
Mr R Cox
Mr B Pengilley
Mrs L Maurice
Mr R Willmott
Miss B Benfield
Mr B Walden
Mr C Williams
Mr I Tugby
Mrs E Bennett
His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey was in attendance.
Item l Green Paper on "Prioritisation of Capital Expenditure"
The States resolved to note the paper on Capital Priorities and t o approve of the Capital Expenditure priorities listed therein. (Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Williams.)
(Approved unanimously.)
Item ll Court Building Renovation
The States resolved, after consideration of the report from the Chairman of the General Services Committee, and subject to approval by the Guernsey States of Deliberation, to: - 1. Approve the renovation of the Court House as detailed in the above report
2. Accept the tender from Charles Le Quesne in the sum of £499,677.26
3. Approve the additional cost of £40,000 to cover external supervision and other costs associated with temporary movement of staff within the building
4. Vote the sum of £539,677.26 to cover the overall cost of the project
(Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Williams.)
(Approved by a majority. All in favour except Mr Tugby who declared an interest and abstained.)
Item lll States Housing Application Rules
The States resolved to approve of the amended States of Alderney Housing Application Rules (Proposed by Mr Walden and seconded by Miss Benfield.)
(Approved by a majority. All in favour except Mrs Maurice who voted against.)
Item lV By-Election
The States resolved to approve of the following arrangements:- That Nominations will be received
during the seven days ending at 4:00pm on Tuesday 19th June 2007
That Polling day be Saturday 30th June 2007
That the Polling Room be the Members" Room, Island Hall.
The successful candidates will hold office until the remainder of Mr Main"s term of office, which ends on 31 December 2008.
(Proposed by Mr Willmott and seconded by Mr Williams.)
(Approved unanimously.)
Item V The Regulation of Utilities (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007
The States resolved to approve of The Regulations of Utilities (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007. (Approved unanimously.)
Item Vl Questions and Reports
The following question for verbal and written reply from Mr Cox, was asked of the Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee:- To ask the Chairman of Policy & Finance Committee how much was disbursed to States Members in attendance allowances during the first three months of this year and how much was paid out for the same period of last year.
Reply:-
Mr Cox has asked how much was disbursed to States members in attendance allowances during the first three months of this year and how much was paid out for the same period of last year.
I am glad to have the opportunity of answering this question. In quarter one of 2006 an amount of £9,885 was paid out in Members attendance allowances. The corresponding figure in 2007 was £12,520 an increase of £2,635. Approximately £350 of this increase was due to the annual increase in attendance allowance rates which now stands at £48.53 per meeting or per half day. The remainder of the increase was accounted for by increased activity. Some of this activity was due to the revised committee arrangements which have been described and reviewed in some detail in the President"s latest newsletter. These changes of course include an enlarged Policy and Finance Committee, which is now attended by all States Members, and the creation of two advisory groups - Finance Advisory Group and Employment Legislation and Constitution Group which have some delegated powers. I would agree with the President"s comments that the new arrangements are working well.
Other additional activity is accounted for by the Waste Advisory Group which has worked very hard to produce a report to the States by June which it will now be doing. In addition work has taken place on the review of the Government of Alderney Law and the review of the Building and Development Law. All committees have worked very hard so far this year and there is much work in progress. The range of activities States members engage in is considerable and is well illustrated by the list of individual members" attendances which I have circulated with the written version of this reply (see attached). On average members have each attended 26 meetings in the first quarter with individual attendances ranging from 12 meetings to 43. The figures do not include attendance allowances and meetings attended by the Alderney Representatives to Guernsey who have each attended for a total of 20 half days in the quarter. Their allowances which are paid at the same rate as Alderney are paid for by Guernsey.
Mr Willmott reported on the following topics:-
Tax on Real Property Proposals (TRP). Mr Willmott reported on the detrimental effect that the proposed 400% tax increase on property would have on residents and businesses in Alderney. Mr Willmott advised that following verbal and written requests from Alderney, for Guernsey to consider introducing a separate band for Alderney, the Treasury and Resources Department, at its meeting on 15th May, reaffirmed its majority position in that it does not support a concession. Mr Willmott stated that this was very disappointing and assured the public he and Mr Walden would be energetically promoting the arguments supporting the introduction of a separate band for Alderney, when this matter was debated in the Guernsey states at its June meeting.
E-Gambling Mr Willmott reported on the recent negative publicity surrounding the planned move of some of Sportingbet"s operations moving to Guernsey and the issue of housing licences. Following attendance at meeting, chaired by Commerce Employment Minister Stuart Falla, including the Chief Executive of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the Minister for Home Department to discuss these concerns, it was clear that there was considerable misunderstanding about the e-gaming industry. Consequently it had been agreed that presentations would be made to all Guernsey and Alderney States Members so that they could all be properly briefed before an item was brought to the Guernsey States. In parallel with this, Alderney States Members would be invited to discuss any pan Bailiwick legislative changes that might be necessary or beneficial as a consequence of the activities now taking place in Guernsey. .
Fort Tourgis Mr Willmott stated that the negotiations with the proposed developers Verweij and Partners were continuing well. The Heads of Agreement had been signed and the next stage would be to bring the outline terms of the final agreement for approval to States, within the next two or three months, to finalise the deal.
Mr Walden reported that a public meeting would be held on Wednesday 6th June at 7pm in the Island Hall, to present the islands future Waste Strategy Proposals. Following this a waste strategy submission would be placed before the June meeting of the States.
Miss Benfield, as acting Chairman of the Building and Development Control Committee, reported that the first stage of the Building Law review would be presented to the States meeting in June, by way of minor amendments. The second stage which would include the proposed introduction of "D" permits, which will, in principle allow the committee to approve the division of existing houses into multiple units, would be placed before the July meeting of the States. Miss Benfield further advised that the B&DCC had also agreed to support the following changes; that applicants would be invited to attend site visits to discuss their proposals" and in order to streamline the planning process, a list of relatively minor changes, such as garden sheds, fencing etc. would be sub-delegated to the Assistant Engineer to report her recommendations back to the committee.
Miss Benfield stated that the preliminary plans for Fort Tourgis had been presented to the B&DCC, with full plans being offered within the next three months.
The President reported that good progress was being made with the review of the Government of Alderney Law, and public consultations regarding changes to constitutional issues would take place within the next few months. It was hoped to be able to submit a revised version of the Law to the Law Officers by September, in order that the new Law be in place in time for the next elections, in December 2008.
The President offered his congratulations to Mr Walden who had been elected to be a Member of the Scrutiny Committee.
The President advised that Deputy Roffey would be officially opening Phase 1 of the Mignot Memorial Hospital on Saturday 26th May 2007. During the Royal visit on Monday 11th June 2007, HRH The Princess Royal would be visiting the Fire and Ambulance Stations, the new wing at the Hospital and then meeting with States Members, the Court and members of community organisations for afternoon tea in the Anne French Room.
The President reported that the Chief Minister and the Lord Chancellor had produced an important draft framework for developing the international identity of Guernsey which states that the UK recognises that Guernsey is a long-standing, small democracy and supports the principle of Guernsey further developing its international identity. The President hoped that when the final document was signed it would be a Bailiwick wide or Guernsey/Alderney agreement.
The President thanked the Lieutenant Governor for visiting Alderney and attending the States meeting.
Meeting ended: 1840
Issued: 30th May 2007
