Latest news with #DeSausmarez
ITV News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Lindsay De Sausmarez makes history as Guernsey's first female Chief Minister
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, who topped the poll in June's General Election, is Guernsey's next Chief Minister. She becomes the first woman to hold the top job, after serving as Environment and Infrastructure President in the last States. De Sausmarez only decided she was running for the position less than a week ago, but saw off competition from Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and Mark Helyar to be elected as the President of the Policy and Resources Committee. She won the support of 22 of her colleagues in the first ballot, meaning she was immediately elected as she received more than half of the total votes cast. Reacting to the result after it was read out, De Sausmarez says: "I wasn't expecting this at all. "I don't have anything prepared, so I'll have to sit down now but I will shake everyone's hand." Who is Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez? - Born and bred in Guernsey, De Sausmarez is 47 years old and lives in St Martin's with her family. - She was first elected as a deputy in 2016. - De Sausmarez emerged as a powerful political figure in the last States, serving as President of Environment and Infrastructure, and Vice President of Employment and Social Security. - Seen as a progressive politician, she is a keen environmentalist and supported the modernisation of Guernsey's abortion law. Want the inside track on the key issues that will shape Guernsey's Election this June? Listen to Guernsey Votes, an ITV Channel podcast packed with expert guests, local insight and analysis you can trust... De Sausmarez topped the poll in June's election, receiving 10,721 votes - she was the only candidate to get the backing of more than 50% of those who cast their ballots. When De Sausmarez announced she was standing last week, it became clear that today's vote was likely to be her coronation. Over the past few weeks since her poll-topping election victory, I've been told by some deputies that the world of Guernsey politics really was her oyster as no matter which job she chose to run for, she would receive a lot of backing. There is no doubt she is an extremely hard-working politician, regularly lodging amendments and getting policy letters passed. She is also not afraid to call out inappropriate behaviour - something that she tells me is fundamental to improving the nature of politics. Many would say that fiscal policy isn't De Sausmarez's bread and butter, so how she will deal with one of the island's biggest fiscal decisions (whether or not to progress with the GST+ package) will be fascinating to see. That being said, the whopping amount of support she has received today will not go unnoticed, especially in a political environment that has previously been characterised by division and bitterness. De Sausmarez will now put forward who she would like to serve with on Policy and Resources. Some names being mentioned include former Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier, as well as Deputy Charles Parkinson, who earlier this week stood aside for De Sausmarez. Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq may also continue in his role as External Relations Minister. That being said, there is no certainty that those she wants to serve end up being elected. The decisions will be made by all States members when they vote on the rest of the senior committee members on Wednesday, with the Presidencies of the other committees chosen on Friday. Then next week, elections for the other members of these committees will happen in the Assembly. The first States' meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 July.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Deputies seek solution to save diving board
Deputies are investigating the potential to deepen a bathing pool in Guernsey to save a public diving board that had to close for safety reasons. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last month served a prohibition notice in relation to the board at La Vallette Bathing Pools, following reports of incidents and near misses. It said the depth of the water under the platform fell below international standards and should be removed. Environment and Infrastructure President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said: "The committee is in the process of assessing the extent of work required, which may lead to a financial bid to deliver works to further improve the pool." On top of deepening the pool, de Sausmarez said other measures being investigated included doing work on the walls and adding additional safety measures such as equipment and information. De Sausmarez said she was hopeful the work would mean "this much-loved swimming facility can continue to be safely used by locals and visitors alike". HSE said the maximum depth of the water below the diving platform was 2.75m (9ft) which did not meet the 3.2m (10.5ft) minimum depth required by the World Aquatics and British Standards. Originally, the diving board was supposed to be removed within a week but plans were halted after hundreds of islanders turned out to demonstrate the public's "strength of feeling" about keeping the diving board. De Sausmarez said: "I can't commit to any time frames at the moment because there are a few variables that we still don't yet know but I can say that we are not hanging around. "So we are not delaying, we are getting on with this as soon as we possibly can." She added even if work was completed the diving board still may not be able to reopen. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Diving board removal paused to explore options Calls to save diving board after removal notice Guernsey Bathing Pools win top architecture award States of Guernsey
