Everyone with an interest in Alderney’s future is being given an opportunity to help formulate a new Island Plan from today (October 15th).
This is not the first time the States has produced such a plan – the last one was in 2018 – but this time island life is different following the pandemic and Brexit, and there is a much stronger mood of the Bailiwick moving forward together and an improved relationship with Guernsey.
The government wants to focus on moving forward together as a community with our neighbours in the Bailiwick. To do this, it is seeking the views of residents and those with an interest in the Island to help forge a realistic and achievable plan for the coming years.
“There is a golden window of opportunity where a range of elements have come together that give this plan a greater chance of success than previous attempts,” said the Plan’s lead author, States Member Ian Carter.
The States wants everyone including young people at school, students, parents, people of working age, businesses and older people to help prioritise goals in six sections and share their ideas before the Plan is finalised in November and sent to the full States meeting in December for ratification.
This survey covers six key themes, each with a number of goals which people are asked to prioritise and then provide their own suggestions. The six key themes are:
- Economy – increasing the number and diversity of resilient businesses, improving the community’s skills base and attracting business investment.
- Energy – introducing clean and green energy and reducing energy costs.
- Accessibility and Connectivity – increasing the resilience of air and sea transport and creating a improved digital connectivity.
- Community Development – improving the diversity, health and wellbeing of the Island’s population.
- Environment – realising the full potential of our marine and terrestrial environment while protecting natural habitats and heritage sites.
- Governance – improving the efficiency, transparency and scrutiny of our Island’s government to increase public confidence.
The survey, open to everyone who has an interest in the future of Alderney, is now online and paper copies are available if needed at the Island Hall with a survey collection point.
The closing date is Monday 8th November 2021.
