South-East

Francis Quin

I WAS first elected to St Martin’s Douzaine in 1996, then the States in 2000. I was re-elected in 2004 and have served as Deputy Minister of the Home Department and chaired the Liquor Licensing Working Party on updating the law. The Alcohol Free Zone on Liberation Day was a great success, returning the seafront to the people on our national day.

Law and order

Nothing upsets the public more than mindless vandalism and as requested by the public we are returning to community policing and a lead officer has been appointed. Community service is up and running and the courts have sentenced 35 people so far.

Population

I think this will be one of our major headaches. I was one of the 12 deputies that sent alternative proposals to the Policy Council as we could not support the proposals that the population should be allowed to increase by up to 200 per year. The island’s infrastructure cannot take it.

Capital expenditure

We must have a clear list of priorities and stick to them. The watchword must be value for money and living within our means. Contracts must be tighter to avoid the continued embarrassing spectacle of overspends.

Education

This is on the top three priorities. Schools buildings have been neglected over the past and we are playing catch up with limited resources. I cannot see the sense in the threat to close St Andrew’s School and I will continue to fight its closure.

Environment

The public have taken recycling to heart and we are on our way to the 30% target and must be helped and encouraged in this. My big concern is the pressure on our few remaining open spaces.

The attempt to put phone masts on green field sites was successfully opposed but housing is planning to build on a field in St Martin’s. I will oppose this.