States' work plan prioritising 'realistic' goals

Guernsey's top priorities over the next three years should include tax reforms, redevelopment projects and healthcare, the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has proposed.

In the Government Work Plan, it has proposed five "super priorities" which it said would support sustainable economic growth in Guernsey and islanders' wellbeing.

P&R said these would be to deliver tax reform, begin the regeneration project at Leale's Yard, agree a sustainable health and care system, focus on early years and families and design the future harbours' infrastructure.

P&R President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said these were "tangible things we can point to so people can hold our feet to the fire on them".

She said: "We were really keen to be able to focus on some actual deliverables and they needed to be realistic, things we can actually progress, and in some cases complete, over this political term."

De Sausmarez said tax reform was "one of the most fundamental issues facing the island" and the foundation of Guernsey's "economic stability and growth".

She added: "If we don't have a sustainable way of funding the work of government then we are in a pretty poor place."

The work to clear and begin the development of Leale's Yard was a realistic goal, De Sausmarez said.

However, she said islanders should not expect hundreds of completed units of housing by the end of the political term.

"That said, people will be able to see tangible signs of progress, there will be spades in the ground," De Sausmarez said.

The P&R president said while some of the projects were longer term, the government would be accountable for progress.

She said the island was experiencing a rising demand in health and care due to its aging population.

The government would decide what services were needed and "agree a sustainable model of funding to deliver that care", she added.

In addition to the top five priorities, she said the government would focus on individual projects related to the economy, housing and infrastructure.

She said P&R had "had a good look under the bonnet" of the island's resilience in terms of future harbour requirements.

"Frankly we were horrified at what we found, it is an unsustainable situation that has to be addressed," she concluded.

The government work plan has to be debated and approved by the States.

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