HEADS rolled yesterday as the States elected a new Policy Council to end Fallagate – and also ended up going green. Environment leader and deputy chief minister Bernard Flouquet was the highest profile casualty.

He lost both positions as the States surprisingly backed outsider David De Lisle to take control of one of the island’s biggest departments.

Although the vote was something of an endorsement for Deputy De Lisle’s ‘green’ credentials as an environmentalist, most in the House saw the outcome as a verdict on Deputy Flouquet’s wider political performance.

And in a further judgement on the loss of the R. G. Falla Ltd hospital contract, which cost taxpayers £2.4m., the man at the centre – Stuart Falla – was exonerated by being elevated to deputy chief minister.

While there was no widespread bloodletting, Deputy Mary Lowe was also ousted as Social Security minister after losing to Deputy Diane Lewis.

However, Housing minister Dave Jones, also seen by some as being exposed over Fallagate, survived a challenge to his stewardship of the department.

Deputy Geoff Mahy was the other new member of the Policy Council, after being elected unopposed as Home minister. The previous holder of that post, Deputy Mike Torode, was elected chief minister on Monday.

The day was another blow for Deputy Flouquet, who earlier lost the race to be chief minister.

‘I’m disappointed, as, obviously, I was on Monday,’ he said.

‘But it’s the will of the House to have a change at this level with Deputy De Lisle – I wish him well at the head of the department. I will be keeping a keen eye on the department because that’s where my interests lie.’

Of becoming a backbencher, Deputy Flouquet said: ‘There’s a life outside government. I have worked extremely hard over the last three years and longer.

‘Now I will just sit on the back benches with the rest of my colleagues and carry on my full interest in government matters and issues.’

Deputy De Lisle took the top job at Environment by 23 votes to 19 and immediately pledged changes for the island.

With the ‘go for growth’ economic strategy, something needed to be done for the environment.

‘I think there will be a different culture now, not just looking at fiscal and economic policy but determined environmental policy put forward by myself and others.’

Deputy De Lisle promised to:

n make the planning process more efficient, transparent and accountable.

n address the coordination of roadworks, which had been seriously lacking, causing major frustration, lost time and lost business as well as affecting productivity.

n improve public transport to provide a realistic alternative.

n consider adopting international conventions adopted in Jersey and the UK to protect the natural environment.

n show leadership and encourage activities that reduced carbon emissions.

n improve coastal defence works, particularly strengthening sea walls in those areas that are already causing concern.

There was also a lot the department could do to encourage the use of power from renewable sources such as wind and solar power, he said.

‘The department is ill prepared in this area and needs to catch up with the public’s interest.’