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2022 in Review: March and April

2022 in Review: March and April

Tuesday 27 December 2022

2022 in Review: March and April

Tuesday 27 December 2022


By the beginning of March, the first Ukranian refugees had arrived in Guernsey - seeking the comfort of family already living in the Bailiwick.

They were soon joined by other Ukranian nationals fleeing the invading Russian forces.

The States of Guernsey moved quickly to make changes to immigration rules, allowing more people to travel to safety in the Channel Islands.

A message from Kyiv saw the city's Mayor, Vitali Kitschko thank Guernsey for its £500,000 commitment while efforts of solidarity continue across the Bailiwick. Fundraising would continue throughout the year.

During the early weeks of the Russian invasion, a local artist auctioned off his work to support Ukraine.

Olympia McEwan also runs art wellbeing workshops in the island. She was moved to offer help when the news broke about Russia invading Ukraine saying: “We’re all feeling devastated for everyone in the region: you get that awful sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

“I had to look to my strength and ask what I could do,” she said.

“I know I have a following on the island of people who appreciate my work, so why not get it online and get it auctioned."

Olympia_Artwork-2.jpg

Pictured: Meadow Flowers with Polymmatus Iccarus by Olympia McEwan.

Women of the future...

A campaign launched earlier in the year came to fruition in March as Guernsey's Iconic Women of the Future were named. 

Organised by the group Women in Public Life, young women were nominated from all walks of life.

Iconic_women_group.jpg

Pictured: 62 young women and girls under 30 were nominated as possible iconic women of the future.

Women in Public Life Committee Member, Linda Rolf, said the response was unprecedented.

The 62 nominations were revealed on International Women's Day and they met to network at an event just for them.

Bird flu...

The risk of bird flu reaching the Bailiwick was increasing by the day during March. 

Jersey was hit first when an endangered red-breasted goose died at the zoo.

Birdkeepers were put on alert with requirements to register their poultry and pets.

GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne, warned at the time: “With this Order there is now a legal requirement for all poultry keepers to register their poultry with the States Veterinary Officers as well as a number of important actions from not holding bird shows to heighten your biosecurity if you keep birds.”

Waiting lists...

As waiting lists for surgeries, radiology and other treatments continued to grow post-pandemic, HSC put more measures in place to try and combat the problem.

shutterstock waiting list

Pictured: Waiting lists have continued to grow.

Spending was increased, opening hours at the day patient unit was extended and where possible more staff were brought in.

In radiology alone, there is a target of 95% of patients being seen within the agreed time - but last year only 65% of patients had appointments within the agreed time. 

Harbours...

Proposals were published in March for an extensive development at Guernsey's harbours - including the creation of a new commercial port at Longue Hougue South.

This came about less than a year after they were defeated by the States' Assembly, and they were to be defeated again with calls instead for a vision for the future of the island's east coast, including the harbours, to be drawn up by the development agency - a company owned by the States but with an independent board operating at arm’s length from government.

Deputy Peter Roffey, the President of the STSB, said then that the States should provide clear policy direction now on the future of the harbours if P&RC's proposed development agency is to "lead to some real action and not just expensive words".

Food...

Fears over the impact of the Ukraine war on food exports across Europe prompted deputies to consider if the island was at risk of food shortages during April.

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Pictured: Deputies Lindsay de Sausmarez and Lester Queripel.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez claimed “it would be difficult to conclude that Guernsey is extremely vulnerable to food shortages” because of the lack of on-island food production, after another deputy raised concerns about food supplies.

The President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure was responding to rule 14 questions submitted by Deputy Lester Queripel, who argued that “Guernsey is far too dependant and far too reliant on other jurisdictions to supply us with the vast majority of our food”.

Deputy Queripel said then that he believed the current situation makes the Bailiwick “extremely vulnerable” as he highlighted a review which the Committee will carry out this year on agricultural policy.

At the time, Deputy de Sausmarez said the States are prepared to act quickly in the event that food supplies are disrupted.

News of the review came after Express reported that some local food suppliers expect food prices to rise because of the Russia-Ukraine war.


 


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