Latest news with #PolicyandResourcesCommittee
ITV News
6 days ago
- 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
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Guernsey election 2025: What you need to know
Thousands of people are expected to cast their ballots in the Guernsey General Election on 18 June. The poll is the first chance for voters since October 2020 to decide who should represent them to make key decisions for the island. Those heading to the polls or sending in postal votes can cast up to 38 votes - with each vote worth the same. It is the second time there has been an entirely island-wide election - here are some of the key things to know. A new electoral roll was introduced for this election, meaning even if people registered prior to 1 December 2024 they needed to re-register to vote. The applications to register to vote closed at midnight on 30 April with more than 27,000 people signing up. Those who are registered can also apply for a postal vote, which can be done when registering or by resubmitting your registration before 29 May. They must be returned by election day and the voter is responsible for ensuring it is posted on time - and if this was not done they can be put into the Sir Charles Frossard House postbox or given to a polling station official before 20:00 on 18 June. To be able to stand as a candidate at the 2025 election you must be aged 18 and over, registered on the electoral roll and ordinarily resident in Guernsey on the date of nomination as a candidate. Additionally, there are rules with regard to whether you have been sentenced for a crime or imprisoned that may change your eligibility to stand. The electoral system changed to island-wide as a result of the 2018 referendum on Guernsey's voting system. The candidate nomination period opens at 09:00 on Monday 12 May and closes at 16:30 two days later. The top role - known as the chief minister of Guernsey but formally the president of the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) - comes with an annual salary of just under £85,000. Presidents of committees are paid just over £65,000 and all other deputies are paid about £48,000. Advance polling is open on Sunday 15 June and Tuesday 17 June from 08:00-20:00. Polling on election day also runs from 08:00-20:00. During that time, media coverage is restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts - including #dogsatpollingstations, which has become a British election-day tradition, with social media users sharing snaps of their pooches. When the results will be announced is not an exact science. At the last election - the first contested on an entirely island-wide basis - the results were announced at 01:30 two days after the polls closed. However, rain damaged papers delayed the count because they had to be transcribed onto new ballots so they could be dealt with by the counting machines. This time round counting again starts at 09:00 on 19 June - the day after the polls have closed - so we could have the results at about 21:30 or 22:00 the same day, but we'll have to wait and see. Then there could be a recount called if the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate elected with the lowest number of votes and the number cast for unsuccessful candidate is less than the lower of 50 votes or 1% of the votes cast for the successful candidate. The unsuccessful candidate or candidates have 24 hours, after the results are announced, to ask for a recount - which will only happen once. The old States officially ends and the new States is due to be sworn in to office on 1 July and at the same meeting the chief minister is due to be elected. On the following day, the other four members of P&R are set to be elected. The remaining committee presidents are due to be elected on 4 July, followed by the members of each committee on 7 July. The first meeting at which business will be discussed is scheduled for 15 July. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Islanders urged to register for general election Polling officers sought for Guernsey election Reminder for islanders to register to vote Guernsey Election 2025 States of Guernsey
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
States approves idea of loan to buy Sark electricity firm
Sark's government could receive up to £1.5m in a loan from the States of Guernsey, politicians have Chief Pleas requested the money to purchase Sark Electricity Limited (SEL) and bring the island's only electricity supplier into public States voted for the plans by an overwhelming majority. Vice President of Policy and Resources Heidi Soulsby said: "We believed we had a moral obligation to support our sister island on such an important matter for them." Deputy Soulsby added: "It will be for Sark to agree the terms as set out."Chief Pleas previously wrote to Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee requesting the loan to purchase States proposed conditions for the loan which included import duties on alcohol, fuel and tobacco being used as a security guarantee in the event of said: "We needed to ensure we did not put Guernsey taxpayers' money at risk and so the loan facility comes with conditions."These include Sark's participation in the Bailiwick Commission to look at our constitutional relationship and its commitment to a full review of its taxation system to ensure financial stability."An interim report is due to return to the States by the end of the year.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey general election 2025: What you need to know
Thousands of people are expected to cast their ballots in the Guernsey General Election on 18 poll is the first chance for voters since October 2020 to decide who should represent them to make key decisions for the island. Those heading to the polls or sending in postal votes can cast up to 38 votes - with each vote worth the same. It is the second time there has been an entirely island-wide election - here are some of the key things to know. Who can vote? A new electoral role system was introduced for this election, meaning even if you registered prior to 1 December 2024 you must re-register to can be done online or by using the household registration form which has been sent to every residence in must be received by 00:00 BST on 30 be eligible to vote, you must be at least 15, but you will not be able to vote until you are 16. You must also have been ordinarily resident in Guernsey for at least two years immediately preceding the date of registration, or at any time before the date of registration for at least five years in who are registered can also apply for a postal vote, which can be done when registering or by resubmitting your registration before 29 must be returned by election day and the voter is responsible for ensuring it is posted on time - and if this was not done they can be put into the Sir Charles Frossard House postbox or given to a polling station official before 20:00 on 18 June. Who can stand? To be able to stand as a candidate at the 2025 election you must be aged 18 and over, registered on the Electoral Roll and ordinarily resident in Guernsey on the date of nomination as a there are rules with regard to whether you have been sentenced for a crime or imprisoned that may change your eligibility to electoral system changed to island-wide as a result of the 2018 referendum on Guernsey's voting candidate nomination period opens at 09:00 on Monday 12 May and closes at 16:30 two days top role - known as the chief minister of Guernsey but formally the president of the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) - comes with an annual salary of just under £85, of committees are paid just over £65,000 and all other deputies are paid about £48,000. What happens while polling is under way? Advance polling is open on Sunday 15 June and Tuesday 17 June from 08:00-20: on election day also runs from 08:00-20: that time, media coverage is restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts - including #dogsatpollingstations, which has become a British election-day tradition, with social media users sharing snaps of their pooches. When will we get results? Once the votes have been counted, we will know who the new deputies are. There could be a recount called if there is a difference of 2% or less between the number of votes cast for someone who got elected and the number cast for someone who did not. The unsuccessful candidate or candidates have 24 hours, after the results are announced, to ask for a recount - which will only happen old States officially ends and the new States is due to be sworn in to office on 09:30 on 1 July and at the same meeting the chief minister is due to be the following day, the other four members of P&R are remaining committee presidents are due to be elected on 4 July and followed by the members of each committee on 7 first meeting at which business will be discussed is scheduled for 15 July.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Dean of Guernsey warns of implications if rectory funding axed
The Dean of Guernsey says a proposal to stop ratepayers funding rectories will lead to "significant implications". The States of Guernsey is due to debate a Policy and Resources Committee report on Wednesday linked to a dispute involving Torteval and St Saviour parishes over the maintenance costs of a Church of England Guernsey's parishes are required to provide housing for rectors with the costs covered by ratepayers, but two deputies have proposed ending the policy from Very Reverend Tim Barker said he respected the "clear resolution of the States", but he cautioned work was needed to "consider the consequences". 'Difficult to justify' An amendment from Deputies Al Brouard and Susan Aldwell to the Parochial Church Property (Guernsey) Law 2015 called for a requirement for parishes to provide and cover clergy housing costs to be stopped from deputies said they felt the obligation to provide rectories free of charge had become "difficult to justify" in the 21st Barker said: "There will be significant implications, primarily for the clergy and their families who will be directly affected by the decision, but also for the Deanery of Guernsey and the work and ministry of our churches."We need to work carefully with the parishes and others to consider the consequences of the States resolution and what happens next."
