WITH the States in the middle of its summer recess, most islanders are more focused on their gardens, family holidays or going to the beach than on local politics. I suspect that’s also the case for a fair number of our deputies.

But it’s a mistake to think that the States totally closes down in August. There’s still the odd committee meeting and the more obsessive deputies will be frantically networking behind the scenes preparing fresh initiatives/mischief for the months ahead.

However, it’s a time of relative quiet, when our representatives can catch their breath and gather their energies for the challenges ahead. And boy, do they need to.

It happens every time. Suddenly the fresh-faced, optimistic ‘new States’ pass the halfway point of their term and we/they are surprised that they are on the downhill slope to the next election.

The real work of this House needs to be largely complete within a year because it’s a scientific law that States members find it very hard to make tough decisions in the final run-in to a general election.

Given the present Assembly’s record of baulking at unpopular but necessary decisions, heaven help us when they really get into electioneering mode. So, with only a year left to resolve most of the big issues facing the ‘class of 2008’, there will have to be a real whirlwind of activity for them to avoid flunking their final assessment in 2012.

Let’s consider just 12 of the big issues that need addressing in as many months:

1. Corporate tax strategy. Get this wrong and the rest pales into insignificance. To quote Bill Clinton’s campaign team: ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ Public consultation ends this week and all of our deputies will need to work very hard to understand the nuances of the crucial decisions that will face them soon.

2. Personal taxation. If the new corporate tax regime doesn’t fill the black hole then the States will need to raise more revenue from islanders. Those tax increases will need to be both efficient and fair or they’ll face a backlash.

3. Spending constraint. A theme for several years, but the States spent 10% more last year than in 2008. Over the next 12 months tough decisions will be needed, but they mustn’t be ‘macho decisions’. Anybody can slash spending by devastating public services.

4. Rubbish disposal. In the past, the States has often done U-turns by overturning the decisions of their predecessors. This House is almost unique in doing a huge volte face, within a few months, on one of its own decisions. That cost the island millions, but more importantly it left it with no waste disposal strategy. This should have been sorted years ago and must be delayed no longer.

5. External, strategic transport links. It must decide the future of Aurigny, secure our Gatwick link and improve the system of route licensing.

6. The road transport strategy. This has sadly unravelled and it needs to be reconstructed for the sake of our quality of life.

7. Social issues. A real area of failure for this States. There are clear resolutions on both women’s rights and civil partnerships telling the Policy Council to get on with them. The response? A dead bat. No request to rescind those decisions, just a wilful ignoring of them.

8. Infrastructure. We may be strapped for cash but we neglect our capital infrastructure at our peril. The airport, acute psychiatric facilities and Les Beaucamps/La Mare are obvious priorities, but there are others.

9. Utilities. How should they be run? How should they be regulated? Where does the balance lie between a commercial approach and universal service obligations?

10. Diversification. With financial services trading in an increasingly volatile world, should we be more proactive in broadening our base? Will the States even discuss it?

11. Voting system. We are due another debate on island-wide voting. It’s hard to see how it can work in practice but the States will make its own decision.

12. Executive government. This has been the elephant in the room throughout this States term. I don’t think most deputies favour ministerial/cabinet government, but we are getting it by stealth. Almost every month sees another salami slice removed from our consensus system of government. It really ought to be formally debated before 2012, but I doubt it will.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Next August our deputies should be truly cream-crackered and in dire need of their recess.

If not, they won’t have done their jobs properly.The big issues