I believe being a States member is a full-time job if done properly, but not a career. Following my election last year I have worked hard on 3 States Committees. My work on Scrutiny - including numerous public hearings - has helped shape policy, brought valuable transparency and accountability and given me valuable insight into how the States does (and does not) function properly. This knowledge and experience would be a vital asset in what is going to be a very challenging new States term where we must prioritise the island’s economy and housing needs.
Manifesto
Commitment
I have only missed a couple of the 172 days on which the States has sat this term (due to illness) and my voting record speaks for itself.
When in the Assembly I do not miss a minute of debate. I have never spoken for more than 10 minutes, voted for a guillotine motion, or abstained from voting. The votes the public entrust us with are precious.
I am not a career politician, but it is my only job, and would continue to be. I do not have any conflicts or other business interests. I have worked hard during my first term – serving on 3 different Committees, as well as various Panels and sub-Committees.
I have forged useful links with my parish, the Forest, as although I am a supporter of Island Wide voting I believe the Douzaines still serve a vital role and provide a vital connection with the community. And I also serve on the Forest Parish Welfare Committee, helping some of the most vulnerable in our society.
That said, I have taken on constituency work across the island and some of this work I have found the most rewarding as a People’s Deputy – be it helping someone find a home, to working with small communities across the island to make successful representations against certain developments in their neighbourhood.
I have attended all the island’s Open Planning Meetings this term to further my knowledge of the planning process and understand the concerns of those submitting applications. I am surprised more Deputies do not attend.
Scrutiny
I believe strongly in openness, accountability and transparency which is why I became Vice President of the Scrutiny Management Committee where I have taken part, and on occasions chaired, more than 20 public hearings – including 7 on the Government Work Plan, holding the States senior most Committee, Policy & Resources, to account. For the first time this term these have been live streamed. The role of scrutiny will be more important than ever this term and needs strengthening.
As a member of the Legislation Review Panel I have read and considered nearly 200 items of legislation. Much of which was crucial to the island’s successful Moneyval evaluation – critical for the future of our key finance industry.
The Environment
As an active Member of the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure I have helped secure the future for the island’s dairy and quarrying industries. We have made strategic decisions regarding the island’s future water supply and supporting the Guernsey Development Agency and its work to improve the island’s eastern seaboard, along with vital inward investment into the Bridge. We have successfully developed and received States approval for the island’s future Electricity Strategy and Net Zero Policy, paving the way for more sustainable forms of energy in future, such as offshore wind. Thus securing a brighter and greener future for us all.
As a Committee we have worked closely with the island’s taxi industry to improve services for the community and successfully negotiated and transitioned to a new bus contract.
E&I has also successfully overseen the setting up of the Nature Commission to ensure the island’s natural environment is prioritised and safeguarded. But I believe more still needs to be done to protect local species and it is high time we had more areas and wildlife protected – something I would be keen to drive forward in the new term.
There’s also much business-as-usual such as ongoing maintenance of the island’s coastal defences and seawalls, resurfacing of roads and care of our coastal paths and beaches.
None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of all our staff, who do an amazing job on behalf of the island. Something so often overlooked and under appreciated by us all.
I have also been a member of the States Assembly and Constitution Committee which introduced simultaneous electronic voting, to bring greater transparency and efficiency to States sittings.
I could go on, but what I am trying to highlight is the fact that being a States Deputy is a full-time job if done properly and if re-elected I will work harder than ever to serve you, the people of Guernsey.
Please consider using a vote for Simon Fairclough at the upcoming election.
Thank you!