This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

TREASURY has been left with egg on its face after having to bring zero-10 back to the States because a date was omitted. Although there is virtually no chance of the strategy being thrown out, its critics have seized on the gaffe.

The department’s minister, Lyndon Trott, has also turned down an invitation to meet face-to-face today people who backed a move to delay zero-10’s introduction by a year.

Instead, he has a family commitment.

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews, who was behind the last-minute delaying attempt at the November meeting, was scathing.

‘It’s further evidence of the political incompetence of the Treasury and Resources Department,’ said Deputy Matthews.

‘It’s a crass oversight and highly embarrassing to have to take these measures so late in the day. It demonstrates how ill-prepared the law and the States as a whole are for the early introduction of zero-10.’

There was frantic action on Friday to rectify the problem by getting a report to tomorrow’s States meeting.

Treasury blamed a technical slip-up.

The last-minute Billet to rectify the error was published yesterday.

Deputy Trott did not want to comment but he could use his speech in the States tomorrow to give his side of the argument as the pair prepare to lock horns for the second meeting running.

Deputy Matthews also announced plans yesterday for a drop-in at Beau Sejour today to discuss the tax strategy.

At the last States meeting, Deputy Trott gave assurances he would meet those who had backed Deputy Matthews’ amendment to delay zero-10.

‘I explained to Deputy Matthews over the weekend, prior to receiving an official invitation, that I wasn’t able to attend his meeting because I will be attending my son’s carol service,’ said Deputy Trott.

‘I would be very happy to organise a meeting in the new year in order that those who continue to have concerns can put their views to the Policy Council.’

There is still ongoing tension behind the scenes about the validity of Deputy Matthews’ claims in the States that 500 people had written to him in support of his amendment - he will not release the correspondence because of data protection issues.

This is another potential flashpoint at tomorrow’s debate, when Deputy Matthews will ask questions about data protection.

Last month, The Income Tax (Zero-10) (Guernsey) (No. 2) Law, 2007, was approved by the House.

This included a commencement provision so the law would come into effect on 1 January.

But there was no proposition to that effect in the relevant article of the accompanying Billet.

This means the States has not passed a resolution necessary for the law to have provisional effect before it is approved by the Privy Council and then registered by the Royal Court.

Before the legislation and accompanying report got before the House it would have gone through Treasury and the Policy Council, which is ultimately responsible for the tax strategy.

The projet has been republished with some more minor technical changes which were not covered by the amendments laid before the States last month by the Law Officers.

‘It is not expected that States members will place the zero-10 regime under any threat as a result of this delay,’ said a Treasury spokesman.

n All are welcome at this evening’s drop-in, to which deputies, business leaders and Law Officers have been invited. Meet in the foyer at 5.30pm for discussion in the Cambridge Room up to 9.30.