States Chamber

The issue which dominated the debate was how to fund the States wish list of major capital projects. Projects like the airport runway upgrade, the refurbishment of local schools, and improvements to the Island's mental health facilities.

Ultimately it came down to a simple question - to borrow or not to borrow? Although the proposals for each of those options were far from simple. There were also a number of other deputies who had their own ideas, ranging from no borrowing whatsoever, even if less projects could be completed... to using the contingency fund.

Many of these amendments fell during debate on the first day. Although one didn't, and the significance of this amendment caused the whole debate to stop. The States agreed not to collapse the Ports Holding Account. However, this was money the Treasury department had worked into their proposals, and the decision meant their plan for funding the projects was around 20 million pounds short. It also put a big question mark over an alternative plan by a group of deputies headed up by Deputy Matt Fallaize. An amendment by the Treasury and Resources department the next day put both funding plans back on track.

Incidentally the Fallaize plans would go on to win the day - although it would take another couple of days of debate to reach that decision. His plan only borrowed money internally, as opposed to the Treasury plans to borrow one hundred and seventy five million pounds externally. Despite not agreeing with the alternative plans, it will now be up to the Treasury department to make it all work.

The only other issue debated this month was whether Guernsey should set up a renewable energy commission. Deputies decided to push ahead with this.

A special mid July meeting was then scheduled for all the reports they did not manage to discuss during June.