This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

The Policy Council

POLICY Council ministers have rejected a suggestion that they should submit themselves for re-election.

Six members of the senior committee yesterday said it was unnecessary.

Deputy Matt Fallaize had called for them to stand again because he believed the council’s role had changed after the States decision to support the Fundamental Spending Review.

The Policy Council has been given cabinet-style authority to make changes to the way the States operates in order to ensure more than £70m. is saved during the next five years.

Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara said he would not be putting himself up for re-election to the council.

‘I do not think the issue is that serious,’ he said.

‘It will be up to the House if something happens on this but I do not want to resign on that [Deputy Fallaize’s call] basis.’

Health and Social Services minister Hunter Adam said the States as a whole voted in favour of the far-reaching implication of the spending review.

‘Is there actually a change of mandate as written down or is there a perceived change of mandate in relation to authority?’ he said.

‘Provided the Policy Council behaves in a responsible manner with respect to other members of the States of Deliberation, I do not think this [re-election] is necessary.’

Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer did not believe the council’s mandate had changed. She said the changes amounted to a continuation of its mandate to coordinate States activities.

Home Department minister Geoff Mahy said his initial reaction was that he did not think the situation merited a re-election. But he said Deputy Fallaize was free to take the issue to the States if he wished.

Social Security minister Mark Dorey agreed. ‘If that is the will of the States, then of course I would be prepared to stand again, but I do not think it’s a significant enough change to justify the re-election of the Policy Council.’

Treasury minister Charles Parkinson said: ‘I do not think it would be necessary at all.

‘I believe that the responsibility that Deputy Fallaize is complaining has been transferred to the Policy Council has remained with the States of Deliberation and while I have no objection to submitting myself for re-election if that is what the States requires, I do not believe the position has changed as a result of the FSR debate.’

Article posted on 12th November, 2009 - 1.00pm