ANOTHER political board is set to open up its decision-making process. The House Committee has decided to allow the media to cover its work and will write to ministers and chairman to urge them to follow suit.
Public Services led the way under former minister Bill Bell when it asked the media to attend its waste meetings – a practice that will continue under his successor, Deputy Bernard Flouquet. During its first meeting, the House Committee mapped out a series of initiatives it wanted to pursue, including producing a report recommending how to implement some form of island-wide voting.
‘We’re keen to see more openness in respect of departments and committees,’ said House Committee chairman Ivan Rihoy (pictured).
‘We will be writing to all departments and committees expressing our wish that they consider opening their meetings to the public through the media. Then it’s up to them to decide what they feel is appropriate. At least we can show we’re an open and transparent government. In order to lead by example, the committee has decided that, probably not the next meeting but the one after that, we will have the media there.’
When constitutional issues are discussed in the presence of the Bailiff or Law Officers, the meetings will be private.
‘But the committee should have nothing to hide in it’s dealing with the government of Guernsey, that’s there for the people of Guernsey.’
The House Committee is also set to re-ignite the debate on whether ministers should retain that title or have to another one.
Deputy Rihoy said members were concerned that because the island did not have ministerial government the title was misleading.
It will also press for the States to elect which politicians serve on sub-groups, currently an issue decided by the Policy Council.
House will also be reviewing the reform law that governs how the States operates with a view to introducing a new one.
And it wants to change its name.
Members favour being called the States Assembly and Constitution Committee better to reflect the work it does.
Article posted on 26th May, 2008 - 9.28am
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