People’s ideas on how States can save are taken seriously
Wednesday 22nd December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
THE Policy Council will consider suggestions from islanders on how the States could save money.
The Guernsey Reform Group asked for the ideas, with the best three winning cash prizes, in an effort to generate public interest, debate and in the hope of some good recommendations for the States to look at.
About 60 people responded with a variety of ideas and a Policy Council spokesman yesterday said it would take them into consideration before deciding if any of them could be taken forward.
Tony Hemans (pictured), who started the GRG – a pressure group aimed at promoting change within the States and civil service – said he had submitted every suggestion put forward by the public and was hoping the council would issue a considered response soon.
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Tony Hemans for Chief Minister.
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You’ve hit on an interesting point there, Stiletto.
I wonder if the GRG will be putting candidates forward at the next election? Could they be Guernsey’s first political party?
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i have said this before and it seems it needs saying again, louder!! beware the GRG!!! they absolutley do NOT stand for all taxpayers, just in the same way the editor of the guernsey press is absolutely NOT the voice of ALL islanders. these groups represent only their wealthy peers and have the most to lose if increased taxes are better and more fairly targeted at company owners and shareholders. believe me, they are simply out to cut public services from the people who depend most upon them – the poorest and least powerful. hemans and his type do not need public services – they are wealthy enough to buy all they need privately. they are deepest thatcherite and will only widen the rich and poor gap. to the policy council – i trust you will also ask the poorest and least powerful for their ideas as to how we close our poverty gap???
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I know this is a radical idea, but, do not pay the politicians. Most of them are wealthy already and do not need the cash. Let them keep their expense accounts so they are not out of pocket. they can be a politician for the honour and prestige, not for the money. A great way to save, as the top make way too much money!,
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gary – and a great way of ensuring that you only get one sort of person able to stand for Deputy.
I would rather we increased the salary for Deputies, in order to encourage a better choice and range of candidates, but decrease the number of Deputies, so that we only had the most able and not a load of extras just making up the numbers.
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Well said Terry.
If the only people we want as Deputies are the rich, let’s just scrap democracy altogether and go back to feudalism.
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gary
The next Chief Minister-in-waiting runs a paper round and a small shop.Not mega rich by any means
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I remember when deputies didn’t get paid and did it for the love of the island. Anyway I thought paying them was supposed to mean they concentrated on policies only and didm’t have outside interests
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SirCF House needs restructuring, like maggie did with all the councils in England. Oh but wait a minute that’s too easy, only the civil servants will suffer, not the poor long suffering Gsypeople.
Amazing isn’t it,C Weedon Hse gets a Head from UK and his first job is YES restructure.
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Ray, I hope you are wrong in your belief re the next chief minister.
On a more serious note I think that the type of people who would be good in local government could not be afforded. We have too many topping up their already healthy pensions, add that to those whose desire for power knows no bounds and you have what we’ve got. Oh and those who could not achieve a similar salary outside the States.
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Absolutely right Terry,it would be dreadful if Deputies were not paid, we would end up with those on a fat pension just topping up their holiday funds and the rest business men who are used to dealing in a corporate world, heaven help the little old Guern then, be careful what you wish for my friends.
We need a good balance, and a few more brains would help.
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Hang on a minute….
I hope the “ideas” are better than some of the tripe that was published as examples in the Press.
Take the first one – something along the lines of “reduce the salaries of the vastly overpaid and top heavy civil service”
Sorry, but in isolation, that just sounds like unsubstantiated sour grapes.
OH!!! THAT’S why it was published by the Press! hehe
Seriously though, it does sound rubbish – need to do better than that folks!
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