A CROWN advocate has told Sark that alternative proposals for electoral reform are still at risk of not being human rights compliant. But Richard McMahon hinted that, with public support, moves to retain landowning tenants in Chief Pleas could succeed.

Sark’s government will meet again on Wednesday for a fourth time to discuss the reform proposal.

Options appear to be narrowed to four, including an amendment carrying a recommendation for an opinion poll and a new compromise, offered at the last meeting, to reform Chief Pleas into three camps – elected deputies, tenants and runners-up in the election – who would sit as independent members.

Advocate McMahon has written to Sark to confirm that the only option guaranteed to satisfy the UK Government and the EU would be an open election for all.

Although the two newest options both carry a risk of challenge, he added that it would be small, especially if either was supported by a public opinion poll, and ‘within the margin of appreciation’ available to the island and the UK.

Further legal opinion from Nigel Pleming, QC, suggests that both options would be human rights compliant if they reflected the will of islanders. That will be submitted to Chief Pleas.

It will decide on Wednesday which options to place before islanders through an opinion poll.

If the assembly agrees, the poll will take place from 16 August. It will set a benchmark return of 60% of forms, or votes cast by telephone, and a 20% margin in favour of one option.

‘Although a high level, the working party believe that this would show a high level of community support for the newly constituted Chief Pleas,’ the report to Chief Pleas said.

The poll would close and results would be published on Wednesday 6 September.

A public meeting to explain the options would take place on 15 August at 7pm. It is proposed that would run in a question-and-answer style.

n Deputy Geoff Gurden has resigned from Chief Pleas. An election for his seat will take place on Wednesday 20 September. Helen Magell is proposed to replace him on the Education Committee.