Vale

Mary Lowe

It is now 14 years since I was first elected as a member of the States of Guernsey. With so many members leaving the Government I hope, if re-elected, to use my experience to give some continuity and stability towards the well being of the island.

Everything we do revolves around population and like others I have seen the island population increase. With the States agreeing to a growth strategy alongside the decision not to increase population, there needs to be a system implemented to monitor and ensure that population numbers are not left to creep up, unaccounted for.

More needs to be done to ensure that wherever possible a ’spend to save’ on training and education schemes, whatever age group. I believe it was a retrograde step implementing student loans and more should be done to encourage students to return, once qualified. I am against closing any schools.

I voted against the zero-10 strategy as I felt it was wrong that the population will be asked annually to dig deeper in their pockets to fill the black hole. The next States will need to look at ways to adjust some of this burden from the individual taxpayer. Those living here will still expect the services and facilities that they have become accustomed to.

We now have a base for the Government Business Plan. The next stage will be to incorporate priorities, costs, timings and monitoring.

At a recent States debate, some members of the Government suggested it is appropriate to dip into the States pension fund to balance the States books. The States pension fund must be protected.

I support a sewage treatment plant, we must stop pumping macerated sewage into the sea.

My manifesto will be delivered to the Vale electorate and also available on my website www.marylowe.gg