Alderney’s senior politician, Bill Abel, has resigned as Chairman of the Policy & Finance Committee (P&F).
Bill (pictured) is suffering from debilitating hip and knee conditions which are impacting on his ability to effectively serve the Island and is hopeful that he will undergo major surgery later this year depending on the waiting list.
Deputy Chairman Ian Carter will take over as Acting Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee until the full States of Alderney elects Mr Abel’s replacement at its June meeting.
Mr Abel was elected as a States Member in a by-election in October 2020 and as Chairman of P&F in January 2021. Since then he has been working with Members in setting up a number of Working Groups to advance policies and solutions to meet the Island’s most pressing needs.
He wrote in his resignation letter: “Although the challenges of a second wave of Covid made progressing things difficult in the first few months I feel that, as a group of committed people, who are both part of States Committees and Working Groups, we have moved forward even with the necessity to deal with a number of unexpected and legacy issues.”
He thanked Mr Carter and fellow Members for progressing the Island Plan which sets out a clear path for the future with many of its recommendations already being put into action, including progress in housing, good governance and energy.
Other States achievements during his tenure include working with Guernsey to agree the Public Service Obligation (PSO) with Aurigny and progressing the airport future-proofing project with a continued drive for an upgraded and extended runway, together with taxiway, apron and terminal improvements.
“There is still a lot of work to do and I will continue to assist as part of P&F and other committees or working groups where members feel I can add value,” he added. “It has been a privilege to have been able to serve the community and I would like to thank States Members and everyone in the Civil Service for their help and support.”
