‘Review Environment’
Monday 16th May 2011, 2:32PM BST.
BROKEN buses and damaging planning decisions have incensed islanders and led to one minister suggesting a review of the Environment Department.
The department came under fire on the BBC Guernsey phone-in yesterday although neither studio guest, Education minister Carol Steere and Public Accounts Committee chairman Leon Gallienne, was on that department’s board.
One caller was angered by the way planning decisions had adversely affected ordinary people.
And when the issue of buses – another Environment responsibility – was raised, Deputy Steere (pictured) said the department seemed to have no interest in the transport strategy, with it raising charges but not putting the money back in to improve the service.
Following the broadcast, Deputy Steere said she believed it was time for a fresh review of the island’s administration.
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Sack the lot of them.
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About time too.
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Totally agree. They have shown no interest in improving the traffic situation.
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If Carol Steere can manage to wait a year the voters will carry out their own review of this most useless of States departments
P R Sirett The West
J M Tasker St Peter Port South
J Honeybill St Peter Port North
J M Le Sauvage South East
B Paint Castel
These are the people who are letting their Civil Servants run amok
Maybe they are just working to the letter of the law but if the law is an ass it is up to the politicians drawing the pay and the pension to set about changing the law,and there is precious little sign of that
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I am still amazed at what has happened over Griffins Grotto…it’s damn disgrace !
There is not a modicum of ‘common sense’ amongst. I have no confidence in the department whatsoever.
They decided to shut the Watermans business down no matter what they tried to do
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Dep Steere has historically enjoyed being a “first” when downing other individuals and, departments in our Government.
I would prefer that she looked at her overall profile, before damming others
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Environment are bad news for this island they need to be replaced with people who have a bit of brain and totally agree with damo over griffins grotto it still makes me sick to see what happened there. the people of Guernsey should be getting together and taking action before its to late
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Another thing they have dropped one on…playgrounds.
C&L are renovating the Beausie playground which, although old had no bits falling off it.
Meanwhile, at Saumarez Park, virtually the whole playground is cordened off because I guess, it’s been run into the ground, budget provision hasn’t been made to replace it and now kids are at risk.
Take a bow!
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Is this the same department that closed the toilets!. I pity the poor visitor caught short in Candie Gardens reading the sign outside those toilets suggesting they go to St Julian’s Avenue toilets!
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Mike
In fairness, it wasn’t environment that closed the toilets. That peach was from the Policy Council.
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Has anybody ever asked the question as to how many people working on Enviroment are on licence from the UK? Even though the old IDC were often slated, they at least usually showed a modicum of good old fashioned common sense when required. I also feel very sorry for the owners of Griffin’s Grotto.
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I don’t agree with a lot of what Carol comes out with but she’s making sense here. Let’s hope we see some action.
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Environment clearly don’t have any interest in the buses, sadly neither does Island Coachways, otherwise the “service” wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in now.
What incentive is there for anyone to use the buses? Increased fares, cancelled services, poor timetable structure when the service is running normally. I can understand why people would sooner jump in their cars than stand at a bus stop and take pot luck as to whether a bus will turn up or not.
Also the buses are too big. Only an idiot would think they are the best thing since sliced bread.
I wonder just how many states members use the bus?
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The toilets – neither – Treasury and Resources I think you’ll find!
What you have to remember is that the policies which are being worked to are voted in by ALL States Members not just a chosen 5.
Very unfair to say that staff are so useless there.
As for the Park – can understand the frustration, don’t you feel the staff feel the same way – these decisions aren’t just made to annoy/penalise others so think again and think hard.
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Constant whinging,… :0(
If those of you who are over critical, and are not happy with the standard of the current States Deputies, feel free to nominate yourselves to do a better job in 2012 :0)
Also the Guernsey Press incite issues and over egg the populace – power to the people!!
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@ben
It is not a case of nominating ones self to become a deputy. That is a choice every individual should make given on what they feel they can contribute. I don’t feel that i could give myself to the issues as i would get too frustrated with the draconian red tape. As it happens Keith Wilen becoming one would have been a great asset to the island.
This issue is about the environment department, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the deputies as individuals. I know that nigh on all the deputies (as well as the whole island populous) wanted Griffins Grotto to remain open and operating but the very few Environemt department individuals who bandy policy to suit their own wants saw fit to shut them so this is what i am commenting on. They rejected every single offer the waterman family made in order to pander to the departments needs. They said they were disappointed in the press…what rubbish…the watermans did everything they could to stay open, the department negatively and quickly poo pooed every suggestion and made no suggestions in order to help them.
They are a disgrace to the island.
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@Ben
How kind of you to invite posters to stand in 012.
Allow me to advise you that some people already are putting together a manifesto.
Some current Deputies are standing down, not because they don’t like the job in hand. In some cases they have depended on their salaries.
They have either run their course, not become the States in house favourites or, have become over nervous about how they can put together a voter worth profile.
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I wonder if a States Wife or Civil Servant ran Griffins Grotto would be closing down, I doubt it.
Not one States member has any common sense and certainly does not Guernsey at heart.
What a disgrace you are to the Island.
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Stiletto, your most welcome. I am encouraged that you, or a close friend/ associate may be compiling a manifesto for 2012. Also agreed on Dep Steere and her constant pandering to the Gsy Press columnists and bending to whatever pressure is applied, to improve her profile… (some work needed there me thinks).
Agreed that; from the recent Gsy Press article, some of the ‘old guard’ are opting to refrain from running in 2012.
I am ever hopeful that in 2012 the (1)’unwashed’ sandwich pocketers – also decide enough is enough. & (2) the ‘needed the first term to settle in’ brigade also do the right thing and stay at home.
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I for one agree with all points raised. it’s not enough that local busnisses are having to close with out this department closeing them – and such a place like griffins grotto, look at the other article on the tourists that have nothing to do on the Island – Let alone with the Bus fleet out of action not being able to get anywhere!!
the Buses need a new route lay out – less confusing additional A and B alternate routes that bear nothing to the initial numerical distiction. i suggest an addition bus terminus at grand roque – why do commuters need to travel into town in order to get out to another part of the island?? especially in the mornings. when town becomes one of the most congested places on the planet.
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It does seem that other planning decisions for larger companies and property developers pass through planning so easily unhindered and at times with the full support of the Environment Department. Then you see people with small businesses, signs, fences and sheds come under the full wrath of the Environment department making out they are the bad guys destroying the island and its culture which is far from the truth. I have been looking through local legislation on some of these decisions only to find that much of this so called legislation does not exist of could be interpreted in several different ways. I phoned the Environment Department to ask them about this. I was told that when their is no local legislation they would refer to similar cases in the UK well that’s about as good as referring to cases in Botswana. Why not use common sense do as the people ask while at the same time looking at the environmental impact instead of referring to random cases in the UK. Do what you are paid to do by the people use your head not what suits you.
Ray: totally agree with you as some of these people do have other outside interests which could be seen as a conflict of interests while others seem to think Sunday afternoon is not a suitable time to comment. Well MR Sirett when is the best time for you. Maybe the island can make an appointment with you next Tuesday.
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@ Guernsey Fred
Good question re commuters needing to catch 2 buses to their destination in the morning. The routes do need revising and another terminus is a great idea but as it’s something passengers, i.e customers, would welcome it will never happen.
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@ Bus User
i feel that another Bus Terminus would make buses more regular and more user friendly.
each bus would work in a more gridded system across the island and everyone would be able to figure out which way they wanted to go.
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@ Ben
Thank you for your kind encouragement.
I am of the opinion that Tony Hemans and his group will make a strong stance in 012; we could do a h**l of a lot worse, their make up is a mostly professional body of successful business people in our community, used to making and managing corporate decisions, unlike some of the duffers and attention seeking individuals we are paying at the moment.
I do hope that next time round people will REALLY take some time to think back over various sitting deputies public records. There have been an awful of posters on this site that say they will ‘remember’ – but bearing in mind what we as a body voted in last time, I honestly doubt that that will be the case.
Donkeys on the whole are renowned for their long memories, however most appear to have mental blocks when it actually comes to crunch time.
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Well now we’ve got the routes, we’ve got the new terminus-
Why we have also got the customers–
what’s that?
Oh well I’m blowed you know what?
we ain’t got no buses…
Just fancy that..
Remember that funny show with Hattie Jacques, how the people all lined up and walked the bus route?
well that’s what will happen in Guernsey if the present body of men (did I say men, sorry) if it carries on like it is nowadays.
You’ll note how many of these so called politicians are all coming with Ideas …
It’s getting near to voting time again so they going to give all of us an extra ration of sugar…
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@Islander – From now on in, with only 11 months to go, next election date being 18 April 012, every sitting deputy, or those who hope to remain ‘seated’ together with hopeful candidates, will want to be our new best friends. We must all keep a clear head and even clearer memories to ensure that we use our votes to maximise value for our hard earned money. I list below those sitting deputies to whom I would ‘cheerily’ say, Cheerie Bon bye to:
Brehaut,Langlois,McNulty Bauer,Gallienne
Gollop,Honeybill,Matthews,Steere
Maindonal,Rihoy,Trott,Jones
Adam,Garrett,Paint,Brouard
De Lisle,Dud Owen
I list below those above who will I think bow out:
Jones
I would like to see the remainder of current deputies remaining in office, but I think the following may bow out:
Collins
Flouquet
I would like to see the following faces filling spaces:
Stuart Falla
Roger Perrot
Peter Ferbrache
and that is for starters
I don’t want to see the following come out of doors:
Nussbaumer
Roffey
Morgan (Wendy)
Bisson
Pritchard
Bougourd
Torode (it could happen)
Ahmen
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@ Guernsey Fred
i have to commutee on public transport, and i agree a 2nd bus terminus would be a great idea. this would regulate the buses more frequently and buses would simply change their numbers to have a ‘W’ and ‘E’ to indicate which bus terminus they are heading to.
this would help rather than the bus routes being a simple string of loops to and from town.
any one else with us??
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Ah, Stiletto; here we differ on one or two:
Deputy B Flouquet, if he remained, he would continue to be a liability. I very much doubt he will attract many votes and so will be ousted accordingly. If he stayed he would be a CM candidate and that would be a horrific thought!
As for whom you would like to see:
Stuart Falla – indeed why not.
Roger Perrot – could replace John Gollop I suppose.
Peter Ferbrache – I dont think so.
I agree on the ones you dont want to see run, but you can bet:
Roffey will run and will be elected.
Torode – well that would be a giant step backwards for a return to the dark ages, surely no one would vote for such a person?
Do you think the Island should be run by the retiring then?
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It is about time passengers i.e customers were listened to. We are the ones that use the buses after all. Guernsey Fred and Commuter have got the right answers to sorting out a usable service.
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Stiletto
Is B Flouquet a friend or have you lost your marbles? :)
Some people never learn.
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I agree with this idea of a secondary terminus at Grand Roque. this is after all large area where buses gather – might as well make a permanant fixture of it – this will hopefuly cut down on congestion in town as those many buses will be heading to the other side of the island – thus creating a more user friedly Bus service – and La Mare High School has at least 6 buses there in the morning and they can be re-reouted through from the secondary Terminus. you got your head screwed on Guernsey Fred!! lets hope Island Coachways takes notice!!!
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@davy, bus user, guernsey fred
my understanding, from comments made by John Gollop & Fergus Dnlop, is that Island Coachways dont set the bus schedules – the Environment Dept do.
Good luck trying to get them to see any sense ……
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@ Ben
Time will tell.
In order of appearance, and to add to your views;
I don’t know Dep Flouquet personally, I do recognise however that he was a successful business man and has proven capability in the areas that he is currently working in. I hope he will stand again. If he does,I doubt he will consider going for a senior role.
Stuart Falla – I think he may well come in to the fore, maybe a last minute, but carefuly orchestrated player, he will have spades of suport; he would certainly succeed. I see his character, itelligence and attributes as a class CM.
Roger Perrot – do not underestimate this man, he was a previous deputy, stood with Nick Wheadon around 1980ish and whilst in office bought about a law enabling Guernsey peeps to opt out of a traditional pension annuity and subscribe to a RATS.
Peter Febrache – at the given time, an unknown quantity, he has had his fingers burnt very nastily with the Howard Holland fiasco, but I rather think that he has risen above that and coud well stand. If so, he will get in.
Peter Roffey – oh yes, he will probably do a last minute stand, he has never managed to throw off his political cloak and continues to need to have a stranglehold on States affairs. Not sure if it is for the right reasons though.
Mike Torode – hate to say so, but this old well sell by date warlord could, with little pursuasion get out of his armchair. Double Yikes Ben!
I am not for a pensioner uprise here, but bearing in mind what we are currenty subscribing to maybe we could and should look at some aged relief in Government.
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Stiletto……you have been quite definitive about those you would ‘wave good-bye to without a tear’ but I was surprised not to see any mention of that Laurel & Hardy act, “The Trail Of The Lonesome Spruce”. ?
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@ davy, bus user, tony, Commuter, Islander
GLad to hear so much sense and people agree with my idea. why should the environment department decide such matters as like what the bus routes are?? surely the should be more concerned with trying to un-congest town. this is the way forward.
i will gladly re-arrange the bus routes.
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@ Guernsey Fred
I’ve no doubt that you’re more than capable but if you need any help re-arranging bus routes/times I’d be more than happy to help.
Environment haven’t got a clue what’s really needed but they don’t bother to find out either.
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@Stiletto
Time will tell indeed – fair comment.
I understand that Deputy B Flouquet formerly (with others, a family business), ran a double glazing company.
Agree to some old and bold (learned) in the 2012 assembly, but also think a healthy mix is important, young and old and from all walks.
We should not kid ourselves – Guernsey has few Captains on Industry – so we will have to make do with what we have.
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I for one am very excited about all the new bus routes and termins that are being proposed – i think that there should be a future plans proposed.
also that all environment should have their cars taken away from them for a month and see how they like having to suffer the commute. (i bet each of them lives on a bus route , thats by the by though)
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Stiletto
I think you need to do a little research on Bernie`s buisness success if you can, i think you may have a different opinion.
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Guernsey Fred, and in fact all fellow lovers of our Island.
You all know that if a sack of potatoes has just one little rotten potato, there is the possibility that the remainder can be contaminated.
Now human nature iks almost like that.
I say empty the sack, and get a new sack and hand pick all that will go into that sack.
We are all alike, some friends we love some we tolerate, and being human we kind of trust most.
We should start using our heads, and allow the heart to rule afterwards.
Love of our Island MUST be the upper thought when choosing a new government.
Remember if you repair part of an old car, sure as God made little green apples another part will go bad.
So a complete change is the utmost choice.
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@ Vic Gamble
Your post is interesting, ref Dep Spruce. Yes, he has somewhat doubled his copy book since being “seated”, hmmm – I do think though that he could be a good player in a medium term.
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Stiletto…..’doubled’ his copy book seems a strange terminology…I would have said blotted..and maybe he could be a medium player in a good term (in other words as a lesser mortal he could hide behind the smoke screen when the States are in swingingly good form…)
But I am sure you have good reasons for the way you have used your phrases.
Cheers,
Vic.
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@ Vic
Thanks for putting me right, ‘doubled’ should have read ‘blotted’ – kindly put this down to typist trauma; maybe I should take an online course with UTA?
With respect to my definitive list of ‘not again, thank you’ I should clarify that I am referring to Alistair Langlois, rather that Shaun Langlois. Dep A walked straight past me with eyes very much averted when I was holding a charity tin in the High Street recently. Apart from personal thoughts though, he is in my opinion, a poser without power.
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I truly believe it better to return to the old Beauties Committee.
After all one could talk to them without standing to attention and shouting SIEG:
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