This Is Guernsey

Martin Storey

Who I Am I live in St Peter Port North with my wife Helen and have two daughters who live and work here. We chose to live here for the quality of Guernsey life and feel committed to this beautiful island. Formerly the Director of Corporate Planning and group Treasury for a FTSE 100 company I am now the Finance Director of a firm of advocates. I am a council member of The Friends of St James and sit on the Parish Floral Guernsey Committee.

I am frustrated with the apparent lack of ‘joined-up government’ but feel that I cannot criticise if I’m not prepared to put my head above the parapet.

My Key Issues -

Education: I believe the most nurturing environment for children is in smaller, local schools. Inspirational teaching and continuity of staff are vital. Our university students need financial equality with UK students, and career incentives to return to Guernsey.

Social Needs: A focus on childcare facilities, nursery education and home based care for the elderly is needed.

Population, Housing and Land Usage: Balancing economic needs and a sustainable population is key. Local essential workers need the same housing assistance as is provided to non-locals.

Sympathetic redevelopment of brown-field sites and vineries will provide vital additional space for housing, including starter homes, and commerce.

Environment: We must resolve the problems of domestic waste disposal and sewage treatment, which are both health issues.

The Guernsey Heritage: Guernsey’s constitutional identity needs to be settled. We need to protect and promote the Guernsey ‘Way of Life’ and its values. On this we need to stay ‘Donkey Minded’!

What I can contribute I have thirty-five years’ experience of corporate planning, budgetary control and treasury management and could combine this with ‘fresh eyes’ to tackle the challenges facing Guernsey.