John Gollop

Manifesto

PERSONAL STATEMENT – I have over my political career,  led or sat as a board member on at least 17 States Authorities or committees I  am always well briefed with one of  the best attendance records of States members.   One senior member said I am the conscience of the States.   I have also, I guess asked more oral rule 11 questions scrutinising my colleagues and departments whilst making statements myself

Joining the senior committee, The Policy and Resources Committee was an important milestone for me as I put my experience to good use reviewing and making decisions on many diverse areas from taxation to information technology.  The regular updates from Europe and the French regions of Normandy and Brittany particularly interest me and I would like to do more external affairs work.  I have been particularly involved with understanding the needs of the third sector, public sector remuneration pays negotiations , sitting on the additional learning needs oversight group which focuses on SEND special needs integration and Chairing the Corporate Parenting Board and the Children and Young People’s board which delivered a workable set of legal updates and changes to legislation 

MANAGING CHANGE WITH LEADERSHIP  - I need a renewed  strong mandate from you to get decisions moving and to continue to ask the difficult questions other politicians don’t want to answer. I have asked more oral questions than any other member, over my political career, I am not afraid to challenge my political colleagues. I  am not one for costly consultants, vacuous visions and meaningless mission statements! What we need is practical common-sense solutions combined with knowledgeable gut instinct backed by evidence of what will work for Guernsey. , we have become too risk averse over the past few years to the detriment of the island. The coronavirus crisis produced, strong effective leadership and good outcomes, compared with many other jurisdictions. But I would love a huge renewed personal mandate to make a positive difference for you.  Having previously sat on many committees, I am willing to lead or sit on any one of the Committees.  bringing continuity of experience and  difference to the discussions and decision making .

MY PLEDGE TO MODERNISE SOCIETY  - We need to keep our international obligations and promises by prioritising resources to sign up  to the global treaties we have already committed to  such as  those that outlaw all forms of  discrimination, we need to bring the business community with us to find pragmatic workable solutions, building on the  positive heritage of  previous Presidents of ESS,  Michelle Le Clerc, and Peter Roffey.

MY MANDATE TO STRENGTHEN CARE OPTIONS -  I believe that any attempt to oblige people to sell their homes to finance excessive care costs is unacceptable to myself and the majority of islanders.  However,  the SLAWS (Supported Living and Ageing Well) package, recently approved in the States  is not  the complete answer and  the solution is very complex. 

I did not vote for the new £10,000 mandatory contribution to care or the huge  personal care uplifts, by the time of the next election in 2029 patients or residents in homes will be forced to pay a co-payment of nearly £26,000 per year!   My policy would be  to negotiate more States Rate care beds and to encourage the development of more private and or states owned care facilities..  I support an equity release scheme as a tool to assist with current private top-up fees, as well as helping people pay for adaptations to enable them to stay in their own homes longer.

I would support the possibility of developing further extra  care facilities such as those that we already have at Nouvelle Maritaine and Le Grande  Courtil. If the Labour Government under Sir Keir Starmer succeeds at reducing  immigration  this will affect Guernsey and our care system,  we will have little  choice,  as we are  part of the Common Travel Area. We need to develop and  upskill our local workforce  to attract people into caring, we know will have to pay more. It is not until we need care, or our loved ones need care that we realise the invaluable service that carers provide and the complex nature of funding Long Term Care. 

A MANDATE TO MONITOR AND REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING  - We need our thinking hats on here and there is nothing too cuddly about fiscal policies. We need to help those who struggle with costly household expenditure with more targeted support and less taxation, for those on lower incomes. Many islanders are worse off as lower middle earners than other jurisdictions We don’t do enough to help people just about managing.

 I support raising personal allowances introducing lower 15% rates of tax for earnings below say £35,000,  higher benefits limitations and in work incentives such as earnings disregards. I support a fair taxation policy for all of Guernsey. This can be paid for by restraining higher paid public sector posts, more emphasis on consumption taxes and economic growth.  We need  a relaxation of population controls for skilled younger professionals in many industries. 

 We need a clear economic recovery plan which wisely invests in infrastructure, small business and digital growth if we can expand and enhance our  air, sea transport links with Jersey, the UK and Europe this could act as an economic enabler. 

 MY IDEAS ON TOWN AND PLANNING -  St Peter Port Town Centre is the jewel in our crown. 1000’s of visitors pass through the town in the summer months, our centre needs to continue to thrive to attract business and visitors alike. We have underinvested in our town centre our ports and harbours for too many years, and I support closer working between Government via the Guernsey Development Agency and the St Peter Port and St Sampsons Douzaine. 

As an England and Wales  Green Party member and delegate, I obviously support strengthening biodiversity but balanced with economic considerations. I would ban noisy motorbikes and consider increasing  minimum age for riding motorbikes  from 14 to 16. 

We need clarity on planning policy and practice. Experience tells me we have to choose between a politically directed model and an entire professional process structure. The current mish mash of increasingly infrequently held  open planning meetings, delayed decisions and tribunals trumping political decisions needs a complete review. I will promote more exemptions, loans and grants for energy conservation and preserving historic buildings. We need to ensure we continue to provide green lungs for wildlife habitats and for social wellbeing as well as providing  green field conservation protection. 

A MANDATE TO REFORM GOVERNMENT -  I  believe in the  long term,  Guernsey would have a clearer, more accountable and open system of Government with Ministerial positions and collective policy co-ordination in a more Cabinet executive-type structure, improving decision making and accountability.

 The role of a Deputy needs re-evaluation as the current position lacks clear duties, research and secretarial support.,

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE STATES AND ISLAND GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY?

 

I AM A COMMUNITY POLITICIAN  - I am well known for attending and participating in many events and aspects of island life from heritage to environmental pursuits , historic architectural visits , fayres arts, walks and sports . I believe that I am one of the most accessible Deputies, this enables me to listen and learn about the issues that ordinary people care about and raise them as questions in the monthly States Meetings.

 I support the amazing talent in our community and would like  to introduce to Guernsey an Arts  & Culture funding scheme similar to the Jersey scheme which provides a one percent grant to Arts and Culture.  Arts and Culture  are a key part of  our economic development, as well as providing , many full time and part time careers as well as being good for social wellbeing. We need to ensure Beau Sejour  is retained and enhanced for the community, it provides a vital service and resource to almost every family on the island.  I am in support of continuing to support Beau Sejour as a Community provision even if it needs subsidy from Government.  

I was pleased to join the St Peter Port douzaine last year in a by-election sadly caused by the premature death of my close friend and colleague Mike Garrett. It has been an interesting extra dimension as I chair the Policy and Resources Douzaine parish liaison group. From assisting with planning reviews to supporting festive lights and enhancing the Town and its links with France and keeping parks and the Town Church in good order are vital to our sense of belonging.

I support many charities.  I am President of  Living Streets, trying to improve pedestrians’ safety and the green lane environment. I am on the Committee of Friends of the Priaulx Library and support the Rehabilitation of ex-offenders’ group, mental health drop ins and community cafes.  I support third sector financing, commissioning grants and appropriate partnership with tax reductions from Gift Aid and would support the exemption of GST on Charities if GST was introduced.    The Voluntary sector is a vital resource to the island  we need to ensure a firmer more robust relationship with the voluntary sector, as well as  the parish Douzaines .  Sadly, we have lost the political links with our Douzaines when Island Wide Voting was introduced, and we need to re-connect.

 

BRING CONTINUITY 

Joining the senior committee , The Policy and Resources Committee was an important milestone for me as I put my experience to good use reviewing and making decisions on many diverse areas from taxation to information technology.  The regular updates from Europe and the French regions of Normandy and Brittany particularly interest me and I would like to do more external affairs work.  I have been particularly involved with understanding the needs of the third sector, public sector remuneration pay negotiations , sitting on the additional learning needs oversight group which focuses on SEND special needs integration and Chairing the Corporate Parenting Board and the Children and Young People’s board which delivered a workable set of legal updates and changes to legislation 

One senior member said I am the conscience of the States .   I have also I guess asked more oral rule 11 questions scrutinising my colleagues and departments whilst making statements myself when President of the Transport Licensing Authority and formally the Development and planning Authority.

BUT I BRING CHANGE TOO with some Innovative and Radical policies for better OUTCOMES 

I support more community policing for home affairs and an ongoing review of police complaints procedures The new police consultative group is a good move forward . We need improved streamlining of access to justice and pragmatic solutions on the free movement if tourists on short trips . I would hope the two fire services can train and work together and we further improve domestic violence avoidance projects, victim support and forensic investigations for cyber-crime which aid our international reputation for Money Val and other regulatory requirements. Licensing laws and tenure rules require reviews as does aspects of the Appeals process. We may need more flexibility with population management for care services key workers and business development.

Health and Social Care requires more emphasis on wellness health improvement and prevention whilst realising some people are addicted to substances including alcohol and tobacco.  I would support a review if our current policies towards cannabis use .  I strongly believe in maintaining and enhancing the universal health care offer and we need to consider following Jersey with lower more competitive GP fees.  It would be useful if we could encourage private health cover to contribute to some costs.  A slight increase in the Contributions of the Health Insurance model might play a part including partnership with employers . I would support considering health insurance cover for all States employees. 

I support Environmental biodiversity and habitat conservation. Ideally I would like some National Parks for both coastal and land areas .  The south coast cliffs , Pleinmont and the extensive wetlands around Coutanchez , Belgrave and Ramee would be my favourite targets . 

I want a low fare (or preferably free especially for disabled and less well off people ) frequent bus services with a new night route serving the Beau Sejour, Performance Arts and Capelle's, Peninsula areas and the P2 becoming a circular service linking the Bridge with the Hospitals . Surely we want the goal of less congestion , reductions in traffic volume however small and greater connectivity for the whole, population !

I will support the value of pensions and disability benefits in real terms believing a triple lock approach is preferable if affordable.  There needs to be more incentive for work with higher employment offsets disregard  and realistic requirement rates for families  single people with high living costs to avoid relative poverty .  Some of the capital requirements for benefits and housing perversely discourage motivation and thrift .  I would support unemployed people being given in certain cases encouragement to be independent and self employed to undermine the benefits culture admittedly sometimes caused by genuine sickness and mental health problems . We need to support people with mental illness with more resources.

Housing requires more flexible planning .  I would support windfall use of some derelict green houses and other used and brown field sites .  A lending scheme for genuine first time buyers would help . We need a balanced mix of social housing from extra care to key worker housing and new private sector sites .  I would like to restart Leales yard perhaps by purchasing the site by the States.  The hard reality is there has been a degree of market failure so the States has to subsidise infrastructure, development costs, otherwise nothing will happen , we need to strengthen the capacity of the local construction sector and I’m afraid at a price build higher rise in  appropriate areas .  Our land is too precious to waste .

I feel Education, Sport and Culture have made progress on the TEP the new Guernsey institute and upgrading corporate governance.  I fear there has been a possible loss of parochial involvement and direct democracy though but welcome a drive to self-managed schools . Personally I favour greater flexibility with catchment areas and school independence wanting to see even higher standards which match the best UK academies with a degree of specialisation.  We have to be prepared to fund relative inefficiency with smaller schools and although I support the sixth form centre concept, a State rum 11 to 18 school is another perhaps complimentary option . I support the independence of the catholic schools and believe our rural parishes flourish better with local community schools,  the fact that Blanchelande and the Town colleges thrive with small numbers and some States help means a meaningful partnership can evolve, my priorities are academic attainment , wellbeing special needs provision and pupil and parental choice . 

I favour greater support for arts, heritage and culture as they enrich our lives and allow thousands of islanders young and old to maximise their potential and indeed career goals. 

Beau Sejour must remain a community social,arts and sports hub at reasonable prices .

Economic Development is arguably our most significant and important committee despite having a smallish budget as we need Tourism to enhance our locate Guernsey 🇬🇬 connections and hospitality provision . We all benefit from economies of scale . bring back Salon Culinaire .  We need greater cash breaks for new or fragile businesses, and I strongly support start ups new enterprises the digital sector and our growing media film production centres. We need more incentives for entrepreneurs and start ups and less red tape .

I will push for an integrated Transport department or ministry . We need to invest in the Ports chose a new harbour , I prefer St Peter Port and get the Guernsey Development Agency vision for the North started even if 500 units at Blackrock Vale sounds challenging and may need greening up and scaling down .  We must further develop the Sure fibre roll out and increased bandwidth .  I hope I am a tried and tested high bandwidth candidate !

Aurigny has a special role for Guernsey but I also favour choice and competition. I would hope Aurigny and Blue islands can work together even more as they do on the Southampton link and maybe merge to a degree to pool sub scale resources .  We need frequent lifeline interisland links too and I wish to see at least weekly but preferably daily flights from the Channel Islands hub to Rennes, Dinard, Cherbourg. Caen and Nantes as well as Paris . Alderney requires a more efficient trislander joey otter type service .  I am prepared to say we should give reasonable regional financial and logistical support to our Bailiwick islands Alderney and Sark as long as they are making sustainable efforts to reduce costs too .  I wonder with Sark whether Guernsey Electricity STSB can assistant infrastructural improvements in the longer term . I support the wind farms energy project but am sceptical that we see cash any time soon . 

Although greater freedom and commercial independence for some trading boards is a natural desirable development I would not like to see expensive boards and high costs for the consumer. We need a review to modernise regulation and reduce litigation costs . I want to see a new Dairy perhaps run in conjunction with local farmers and entrepreneurs. I believe we should bring back cream liqueurs, yoghurts and especially the excellent prize winning cheese.  The existing Dairy site has an economic value for housing or hospital revenue earning potentials but the proposed 40 million excessive cost must be reengineered!

Although we have excellent high quality  expertise and consultants I think from my experience on policy and resources that we need greater transparency and political involvement to approve accountability and maybe narrow any potential democratic deficit . I would support a move to Ministerial Government and responsibility with greater scrutiny and an Auditor General, public Accounts body and specialist scrutiny teams .  We need to professionalise politics with greater independence from the Royal Court, more research and parliamentary support and useful contentious professional development , corporate governance director training and regular meetings with other crown dependency politicians and our colleagues in Europe and the Commonwealth. 

So how do we pay for the essential infrastructure, business as usual and maintaining our educational and health services with inevitable improvements?  Savings can be made in terms of efficiency and I am disturbed we are still seeing staff numbers growth and especially a significant increase in the number of senior officers getting six figure3 pay packages . But we need to recruit and retain top talent especially in areas which regulate police our finance sector  and we suffer from diseconomies of scale. Some outsourcing to the private or third charity sector may be possible in certain circumstances 

However the hard truth is we need to grow our economy, accept limited immigration if younger people and retain our own younger sector . We also need to have slightly more tax revenue . I support marginal increases to social security to retain competitive advantage .  I have voted for the fairer alternative package in the past as preferential to GST .  I also voted twice this term to explore the territorial tax alternative of taxing companies more .  But frankly I think that is a premature fishing expedition and the pillar two uncertain tax benefits have been somewhat trumped recently .  I think a unilateral move by Guernsey to end zero ten risks losing business Jobs and economic growth and indeed competitiveness .  We are very dependent on offshore finance especially the fiduciary sector, funds and captives . In any case it wouldn’t raise enough money to sustain capital investment and free services .

I as a loyal member of Policy and Resources and even before that voted three times for a small increase in income tax especially for higher earners from 20mto 22 percent . My feeling was that idea proposed by Deputy Trott was more acceptable to the general public , . But the GST plus package won the day.  We are unique in not taxing consumption or sales but that puts a lot of pressure on income tax competitiveness and public services. I fought and won an amendment to not put a General Services Tax on food and would like to see further exemptions for charities, children’s clothes, education, maybe hospitality and small business exemptions. We need a more level playing field with imported goods to retain local business and the cost of living .

SUMMARY

You hopefully will agree that my policies are evolutionary, sensible and realistic and based on what is politically achievable and possible within a  Consensus system for a small island government.  I love ❤️ politics and the cut and thrust of debate but deep down want a better island   Improved protection for the environment and enhanced social services with continued economic growth . Without a real mandate for rational change, I almost felt reluctant to stand and serve again which is why I have covered  a lot of detail .

I had hard choices to make, so do you . But please consider giving me just one of your 38 votes.  You can vote for up to 38 Deputies, but you don’t have to vote for more than one, or you can choose a smaller number than 38!

Yours faithfully, John GOLLOP