Commerce and Employment Department laid a policy letter in September 2015 setting out its recommendations for a new milk distribution system. In effect it opened up the system to anyone and allowed shop retailers to transact directly with the Dairy. During the debate an amendment was laid that gave 2…
In September 2015, the Commerce & Employment Department submitted a policy letter to the States, recommending the replacement of the fisheries patrol vessel, the Leopardess. I was not convinced that the replacement was necessary nor the highest priority. There were also concerns about the process that has been undertaken in…
I made the following speech on public sector reform during the debate in September 2015. Sir, speaking personally, normally I have to say that my natural scepticism could have kicked in and I would say that it is a lot of nice, fancy words – ‘motherhood and apple pie’ –…
Below is the speech I made on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee in September 2015. Sir, speaking on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee, I would like to state up front that whilst the Committee does have a query surrounding the numbers, from the Committee’s perspective a big issue…
In September 2015, the Housing Department submitted their policy letter setting out recommendations for the Strategic Housing Target from 2016. From the research I had undertaken looking at the local housing market it was obvious to me that the existing target made no sense and I could not accept the…
During the debate on my amendment to the Joint Housing/T&R policy letter on first time buyer schemes, and the previous debate on the strategic housing target, it was clear that members were not happy with the existing housing policy but did not want to commit to a scheme without evidence…
As a result of my successful amendment to the 2014 budget, the Housing Department and Treasury & Resources Department were instructed to produce a joint report which was meant to set out proposals for the use of the Bond proceedsto help people get on the property ladder, either through the…
The GFSC’s 2014 accounts were debated in July 2015. My speech is set out below. Sir, Before commenting on these accounts, which incidentally have been prepared in accordance with recognised accounting standards and are accompanied by an audit report that gives a true and fair view, I would like just…
I spoke against an amendment to the policy letter from the Environment Department setting out a new funding structure in July 2015. Basically it sought funding from general revenue just to support funding of the bus contract. I made it clear that funding was needed and things couldn’t continue as…
HSSD presented a policy letter to the States in July 2015, requesting funding for 3 areas: work required following the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Extraordinary review, recruitment and retention and finally children’s services. The NMC review arose following the very sad death of a baby in 2014 and concluded there were…