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Should Alderney’s Code of Conduct be updated and when will the island join Guernsey and Jersey in being serviced by a pan-island commissioner? These are the questions being put to one of Alderney’s senior politicians.
Alex Snowdon has put several questions to the Chairman of Policy and Finance, Nigel Vooght, with the immediate requests focusing on code of conduct complaints.
He asked: “[Are] there any updates about the Channel Islands new pan- Island Commissioner for Code of Conducts complaints and Alderney's involvement in this?”
This question will be put to Mr Vooght during tomorrow’s meeting [15 November].
Guernsey and Jersey now share a Commissioner for Standards – Dr Melissa McCullough – after the islands adopted a process for dealing with alleged breaches of the code that is more in line with other jurisdictions.
Alderney has since expressed an interest in being included in this agreement, but it's understood that no steps have been taken to facilitate this yet.
Additionally, Mr Snowdon has asked if “the code of conduct in your view need[s] to be updated to handle conflicts of interest in greater detail so members have a clear direction when conflicts arise avoiding any potential political corruption?”
He told Express that it’s important that the island has a strong Code of Conduct.
“I believe it is important for any States members now or in the future, who may have conflicts of interests with certain items, do not take part in the decision making where a predetermination of bias could take place or [lead to] a worst case scenario [of] allegations of political corruption.
“Having a strong code of conduct, fit for purpose, is key to ensuring misconduct in public office is hopefully reduced considerably.”
Pictured top: Mr Snowdon.
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