HOUSING minister Dave Jones has denied that recent meetings with the Guernsey International Business Association are a sign that his department is backtracking. Deputy Jones insisted discussions with Giba regarding the licence system would not change it. He said it was a chance to get its point across and to show that reforms are needed.

‘The discussions will centre around what we expect from the business community,’ said Deputy Jones.

‘We expect them to make their case and to show Housing that the people they wish to bring in are absolutely essential to Guernsey, which is not the same as being essential to their company.

‘Many times, we get applications from the finance sector saying that prospective employees are essential to their company, but that is not the same as being essential to the island.’

Talks with Giba followed the organisation’s support for the States Strategic Economic Plan, but also its reaction to the States decision in February to close the door on an increase in population.

Ideas suggested by the island’s business leaders include seven-year housing licences and more for the finance industry.

Deputy Jones said the discussions were also an opportunity to clear up any misunderstanding there might have been and was not a sign that Housing was definitely going to reverse its stance.

‘We believe there is still a real misunderstanding of the housing licence process and maybe I, or the Housing Department, have been remiss in explaining the whole process better to an audience rather than to the individual when he or she applies.

‘This will be a worthwhile exercise to the business community in helping to understand the complex issues involved with licences, population, essentiality and what Guernsey will need in the future in order to maintain a vibrant and sustainable economy.

‘We don’t believe we have been restrictive. We are only restrictive when we think it is necessary to be so.

‘We simply have to make sure that those people who occupy licences are essential to the community.

‘Housing is duty-bound to enforce the Housing Control Law as it stands at present.’

He said the current review Housing was undertaking on the law would be brought back to the States for a full debate, during which he expected the topic of population to play a huge part.

‘It will then be for the States as a whole to come to a decision as to whether they want the housing laws tightened up or if they wish to have more licences issued for the business community to fulfil the huge number of jobs that are available in finance.

‘I don’t believe population will be debated on its own again,’ said Deputy Jones.