The States will be asked to support ‘in principle’ future investment in housing and flood defences at the Bridge, following the publication of its most recent Government Work Plan Policy Letter.
During a debate on a GWP green paper in July, the States agreed to three strategic workstreams: Public service resilience, housing/infrastructure and sustainable health and care services.
To deliver on these, Policy and Resources has now published proposals to be debated in October.
A big focus of the Policy Letter is housing. “A clear message from the July debate is the criticality of greater availability and affordability of housing,” said P&R.
“Providing and facilitating the development of more housing of all tenures, including key worker housing, is an important part of delivering all three of the portfolios of work.”
This includes a recommendation in the Policy Letter to support investment in the regeneration of the Bridge. P&R said commercial discussions are ongoing and therefore the Committee would not comment further at this stage.
Due to housing being a top priority, P&R has included a number of recommendations in the GWP:
Deputy Bob Murray, P&R lead on the Government Work Plan, said:
“The Government Work Plan is now more focused on priorities than at any stage previously in this term, reflecting the July States debate. By agreeing this approach, States Members will prepare the way for the finalised approach to funding and investment that will be debated in October.
“Accelerating the pace of change in the delivery of public services and the provision of health and social care is critical. So too is investment in the economy and infrastructure. This is reflected in the policy letter, and supported by the approach the Committee is setting out to make greater progress on housing supply and affordability.
“Given the significant engagement with Committees on this approach, and the July States debate, the Committee is optimistic that the States will support these recommendations and demonstrate to the community we are determined to make significant progress in dealing with this issue this term.”
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