Alderney’s 'Island Strategic Plan’ to be discussed this month

Wednesday 05 January 2022

A plan drawn up by the States of Alderney, moulded by the community and led by States member Ian Carter, has been drafted and will go before the next Alderney meeting for consideration.

A draft of the Island Strategic Plan has now been completed, after extensive consultation with the public.

“This will highlight some of the key challenges facing us as a community,” said Mr Carter back in October when the development of the plan was announced.

“Through this strategic plan, we are using long-term trends to take a proactive approach, reimagining what is to come and prioritising our limited resources on the things we believe will have the greatest impact on those drivers for change."

Roughly a quarter of the Alderney public (458 respondents) took the opportunity to have their say on the future of the island and got involved with the consultation exercise. 90% of that group wanted renewable energy to be a priority for the States of Alderney.

Housing closely followed renewable energy as the issue mentioned most frequently in public responses. Islanders said they wanted their leaders to develop housing policies to make the island more attractive to economically active adults as well as looking after those who are struggling to find a home for their family and those who want to continue to live independently but with some support.

The draft plan outlines what the States’ will intend to do and within what time frame. It has been split into six key themes: economy, energy, accessibility/connectivity, community development, natural/man-made environment, and governance.

Pictured: The Economy Action Plan includes plans to promote re-location and develop the apprenticeship offering on island.

Taking into account the feedback from the public, ‘the Energy Action Plan’ includes the development of a new energy policy and the reduction in petrol and diesel on-island.

There are also plans to develop a marine transport strategy, produce a new housing policy, and curate a mechanism that allows more public scrutiny.

“Progress reports will be made to the States of Alderney in half yearly basis in an attempt to resist the loss of momentum and relevance that previous plans have suffered,” said the latest Billet d’etat.

Three ‘time-horizons’ have also been proposed and will be underpinned by a ‘prudent budgeting process’. These will see several of the plans in place met within one year, five years, or ten-plus years.

Pictured: A series of Governance Action Plans have been included in the Island Plan and you can find a copy of the full draft Island Plan ONLINE.

The draft document will be debated in the next meeting of the States of Alderney on 12 January, a meeting that’ll be held virtually.

“I have recently received representations from The Civil Contingencies Authority, inviting me to exercise the powers conferred upon me by Part IV A of the Government of Alderney Law, 2004, as amended,” said the President of the States of Alderney, William Tate.

“In accordance with S55(3), I have sought the advice of Her Majesty’s Procureur, who is satisfied that the request is both appropriate and proportionate in relation to the emergency in question. I have today determined that it is appropriate for the Emergency Procedures, set out in Part IV A be applied.

“Accordingly, the Meeting of the States of Alderney on the 12th of January 2022 will be held remotely and will not be open to the public.”

A People’s Meeting won’t be held either and any member of the public who wishes to comment on the Billet or the plan should do so by emailing States Member Steve Roberts.

You can contact him at steve.roberts@alderney.gov.gg.