With a year to go before the last meeting of this States, Peter Roffey looks at how the Assembly has fared on the major issues it inherited and on those that have cropped up since. Here he awards marks out of 10 for performance.

Tax strategy (6/10)

This House inherited a fledgling zero-10 regime, which was always due to be significantly tweaked to fill the black hole created by scrapping corporation tax. Then a double whammy came along. The world recession meant the predicted 3% growth rate was unachievable and the EU seemingly changed its mind over the acceptability of the zero-10 regime. Not easy circumstances to deal with.

Many people will blame our chief minister for these problems as the driving force behind zero-10. That’s unfair. Guernsey had little choice but to adopt the new tax system given the precipitous actions of others. Perhaps Deputy Trott’s fault was selling it as a good news story rather than as regrettable but unavoidable. With this Assembly, Guernsey seems to have coped with the shifting ground rather better than its competitors but the score is a neutral one as the final situation has yet to emerge.

Economic resilience (7/10)

In the face of a world recession, Guernsey has done rather well. Compare 400 unemployed here with 1,300 in Jersey. This might not necessarily be down to government, but if we are to blame them for all the island’s ills, then we should give some credit when things go well – or at least less badly than in other places.

Balancing the budget (4/10)

Lately, some positive moves have been introduced to fill the black hole, but only after lots of decisions that exacerbated it. Early in the term, we saw income tax allowances go up by far more than inflation and U-turns on unpopular subjects such as paid parking and student loans. Some of the recent spending cuts – such as closing public loos – also seem rather pathetic in the great scheme of things. Nevertheless, the T&R minister seems confident we can balance the budget without a Jersey-style GST.

Waste disposal (2/10)

If there was one subject most people ranked as urgent three years ago, it was this. What has been decided? Nothing – except to buy a system and then a few months later cancel it, costing us millions. The fact it even gets two points is for the laudable increase in recycling.

Electoral reform (1/10)

A lot of wasted time and effort. No result.

Population strategy (2/10)

A user-unfriendly consultation, which seemed designed to get as little feedback as possible. The policy group was too scared to even give their own views on subjects such as the open market or returning Guernsey people. The two points are for at least flagging up the issues and suggesting some possible ways forward, as opposed to the feeble effort of the last population working party under Deputy Mary Lowe.

General strategy (1/10)

A real failure by the Policy Council/chief minister. Process left to T&R to be driven by cash allocation, which is putting the cart before the horse.

Spending prioritisation (3/10)

Three points for bringing in some sort of prioritisation scheme. No more, because the debate is still about how to spend fairly petty sums around the edges, not how to link all of the States’ spending to strategic aims.

Infrastructural renewal (4/10)

A few good projects, but the cash in the capital reserve is being used up and progress on some really vital projects has been painfully slow.

Social policy (2/10)

Finally dragged into funding a domestic abuse strategy and equalising gay age of consent, but social reform remains a low priority for the States of Guernsey.

Ten issues and a total score of 32 from a possible 100. Hardly a pass mark, but does it make this the ‘worst States ever’? That might be rather harsh. They’ve faced probably the biggest problems of any House for decades and, of course, it’s a game of four quarters, so these marks could easily go up – or down – as many of the big issues come to a head.

We’ll see.