States Chamber

The Jurat Election

A different start to proceedings than normal, with the full States of Election sitting to vote in a new Jurat. Two candidates were in the running - Niall McCathie and Claire Le Pelley. Both were former deputies, and both had lots of experience which would put them in a good position to carry out the role. Mrs Le Pelley came out top after the votes were counted.

Pensions

With more pensions being paid out, unless something changes the States fund is set to go bust in 2040.

There are various options being looked at - including raising the retirement age, increasing contributions, or increasing the States grant. This debate was a chance for deputies to give their views on the matter, ahead of the Social Security drawing up firm proposals.

A number deputies thought more needed to be done to encourage people to save for their own futures - with some even questioning whether it is right a state pension is provided. On the other side of this one there were strong views it was one benefit that had to remain.

Some concerns were voiced about people working longer - Deputy Jones was particularly concerned about those in manual roles. Deputy Matt Fallaize was not the only member to feel the upper earnings limit for social security payments should be scrapped - so those who earn more pay more. Other points raised were whether more young people should be allowed to come to the Island, raising the wider issue of population.

A green report should be brought back before the States next Summer, with firm proposals drawn up by the following September.

Capital Prioritisation and the Airport Runway

Next March the States will debate what major developments to progress. The plan was, ahead of this, to hear from three key departments on individual developments - the runway, the refurbishment of Les Beaucamps School and HSSD's plans for mental health facilities. The idea was it would allow for a lot of the debate to happen ahead of March, and make it more manageable for the States.

This did not go according to plan. First up was the airport runway - but an attempt to delay general debate on the proposals was successful. Deputy Jan Kuttlewasher was behind it. He wanted more information and more options explored, and the majority of the States supported the move.

As the bill for this project is so large, at around 85 million pounds, a number of members did not see the problem in waiting a few months to make sure they got it right.

Questions were also raised that all the work proposed by the Public Services Department was really necessary - could the States get away with doing less?

To put the public services department's view on this it says the Director of Civil Aviation has looked at what is being proposed and says it has to happen for safety reasons.

There were also other issues that deputies wanted taking on board - such as the environmental impacts, as well as the fact that under the current plans, which do not involve an extension, there is no need for a planning enquiry.

Some of the problems stemmed from the fact that PSD had placed the report under a certain rule which meant it could not be amended - and some deputies did not want to be tied into these proposals in their entirety.

The Treasury and Resources Minister, Charles Parkinson, reiterated that members were not debating the exact details of what was going to happen, that they were not making any firm decisions. This was just a chance to have a general debate on the airport runway - and why it is such an important project ahead of the States capital prioritisation debate next March.

That debate will still happen, but a new set of proposals on the airport runway will not be put before the House until April.

Corporate Housing Programme

This was essentially a progress report and a list of aims for the Housing Department. It covers a variety of issues ranging from social housing, to first time buyers, and document duty. It was noted by the States, but interesting points were raised during debate.

Concerns were raised over the criteria for which people get States' houses - and whether the restrictions on income were too tight. Deputy Barry Brehaut said in some cases it was putting health staff off working over time, as they knew they could only earn a certain amount or risk losing their home.

Deputy Flouquet, commenting on new social housing developments, thought it would be a good idea for the States to make the most of cheaper construction costs due to the current economic climate.

When it comes to social housing there was talk of what type of housing was particularly in need, and it emerged the waiting list for old people wanting ground floor accommodation is now 100.

It also came out that around three hundred and sixty thousand pounds in states rent is still owed to the Housing department. This is less than previous years, but the Housing Minister, Dave Jones said the states had to be realistic in what they can recoup as it is not the only debt some families owe.

The issue of emergency housing, for instance for people whose house has burnt down or those recently released from prison, was also raised.