A DELAY in debating the island’s capital prioritisation plans is a mistake, according to Confederation of Guernsey Industry acting chairman Peter Budwin (pictured).
It was announced last week that the Policy Council had put the brake on Treasury’s spending plans by putting the debate back two months to May, although the report will still be published early next month.
But Mr Budwin believed the States should have got on with its business as planned.
‘It’s disappointing because there is another delay. How many times have we seen this happen? The same is happening with the Government Business Plan – it’s delay upon delay. I think the community has the perception that the States doesn’t want to make decisions.
‘Some of the capital projects are going to be needed this year to stimulate the economy.
‘At least one of them is going to be fairly major and a stimulus that is needed in the business community because we are being affected by what is going on whether we like it or not.
‘And the only way we can deal with it is by initiating home-grown projects.’
Mr Budwin thinks the delay is so that Treasury and Resources can win over some of those who do not like the idea of borrowing or other funding options.
‘I think what they are probably doing is trying to work out how they are going to finance all these projects. But I don’t see why they could not have gone ahead with it now, as planned, and discussed the various items.
‘My instincts say there are going to be some unusual methods of financing and borrowing in different forms included within the capital prioritisation list.
‘But this debate should have gone forward and all these things discussed now.
‘I think the concern is the divide that is apparent in the House. There is going to be a portion of it that is not going to be happy with the borrowing methods and another that is. But I really think they need to get their act together on this.’
Treasury minister Charles Parkinson said the delay was so that fiscal policy could be considered before a debate on whether or not to spend millions of pounds on a new runway, mental health facilities or rebuilding Les Beaucamps High School.
Article posted on 25th February, 2009 - 2.30pm
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