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Helyar takes aim at potential cut backs

Helyar takes aim at potential cut backs

Wednesday 31 January 2024

Helyar takes aim at potential cut backs

Wednesday 31 January 2024


The island's former Treasury lead has shared his ideas for how the States of Guernsey can save money, and among the long list are suggestions ranging from selling off the dairy, to capping child benefits, and cutting the pay of 'back bench' deputies.

Deputy Mark Helyar is now a 'backbencher' having lost his former role on the Policy and Resources committee in the vote of no confidence last month.

He was the vice president of P&R and took the lead on financial matters during the first three and a half years of this term of office.

A savings committee was set up after the former P&R committee failed to win States support for introducing a goods and services tax and other changes to the island's tax and benefits regime.

In June last year, the public were asked to send in submissions on what could be done in the face of a forecast shortfall in public spending of around £100m. by 2040.

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Pictured: The plea to the public for cost cutting ideas was made last June. 

Suggestions submitted by States employees at first, and then members of the public, were to form part of the research being carried out by the Reducing the Cost of Public Services Sub-Committee. 

Deputy Helyar's post suggests he sent these ideas to that committee whilst he was still on P&R.

He shared the ideas on Facebook on Sunday to seemingly wide support from those following his page.

There were 42 ideas - some of which included further savings.

Some of the ideas suggested by Deputy Helyar have been considered before, including selling off the dairy, capping child benefits and family allowances, and reducing the number of deputies in the States.

Other ideas which appear to be new ones include binning the active travel unit, reducing the States Traffic and Highways Services department by half, and disbanding the committee for Environment and Infrastructure. 

Deputy Helyar is also suggesting that the States Trading Supervisory Board is disbanded with P&R taking on shareholder functions of utilities and infrastructure such as Guernsey Electricity and Ports.

Similarly, Deputy Helyar is suggesting privatising States Works, outsourcing States property management to the private sector, and calling in any money owed by Aurigny. 

In promoting pan-island working, Deputy Helyar thinks that responsibility for Guernsey and Alderney's air traffic control be taken on by Jersey, while the airport fire service in both Guernsey and Alderney is given to the private sector.

At the marinas, Deputy Helyar thinks mooring fees should be increased and the Guernsey Yacht Registry should be outsourced to make it "the best, easiest to use, and most flexible".

He would also like to see investment in solar power generation, while also transferring all heritage and culture assets to the "tourist board".

helyar savings

helyar savings

Pictured: Deputy Helyar's post on Facebook.

Businessman and St Martin's Douzenier Dave Beausire replied to the post on Facebook: "Spot on Mark, business like thinking that this States should have appreciated more."

Businessman Martyn Dorey commented: "Well said, Mark. I don't particularly agree with the idea of charging for elderly care but there is much to like about many of your other ideas. A really interesting post."

Diane Mitchell - a non-voting member on the committee for Education, Sport and Culture - said Deputy Helyar had suggested "too many priorities, never see the light of day".

Let us know your thoughts on Deputy Helyar's suggestions in the comment box below! 

READ MORE...

Public asked to find savings when States committees did the opposite

Hundreds of cost saving suggestions sent in

Cutting costs: "Difficult and unpalatable decisions will need to be made"

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