EU opportunities not problems at office in Brussels

Friday 21st October 2011, 2:29PM BST.

Steve Williams HAVING permanent representatives in Brussels means the island can be much more proactive in identifying opportunities, the head of international relations said yesterday.

Steve Wakelin made the comments as Channel Islands Brussels office director of European affairs Steve Williams and his deputy, Tom White, paid a visit to Guernsey.

The pair currently work alongside Advocate Hilary Pullum, who is on secondment to the office.

Mr Williams, pictured, who has worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for nearly 30 years, is leading efforts to develop Guernsey and Jersey’s influence and the two-way process also sees him advise both governments about European and international matters.

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Sam

October 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm

I think the Jury is still out on the Brussels Office.
It was introduced in the Billet of October 2009, but you won’t actually find it mentioned in that Billet, just £200,000 requested for the external relations branch of the Policy Council.

That figure is climbing steadily and one still wonders exactly what benifit will come from this office whose costs continue to rise.

Of course Jersey has a half share in it so you can guarantee both Guernsey Policy Council and Jersey will continue to shout its “value for money”.

It will be interesting to see how costs rise. As of yet we do not know what these officials are being paid and still await the openess and transparency promised by the Policy Council.

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