After weeks of resignations and appointments to the Economic Development Committee of Guernsey’s government, the newly formed committee has withdrawn its masterplan for boosting the island’s economy.
The committee met after the appointment of two new members, Deputies Dawn Tindall and David de Lisle, and the election of a new vice-president, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen.
That all follows Deputy Charles Parkinson’s election as president last month after his predecessor, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, quit over a perceived conflict of interest.
That, in turn, led to Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher resigning from the committee. Meanwhile, last week, Deputy Jennifer Merrett resigned.
Their economic vision document was due for consideration by the States. It included proposals to guarantee the airline Aurigny a monopoly on the Guernsey to Gatwick route for the next five years.
In a statement about the withdrawal of their plan, the new committee said: “This would enable its new members to input into the document, and build a plan for long-term sustainable economic growth in partnership with the private sector and other parts of government.”
“In addition the Committee will prioritise the short-term decisions and actions needed to further improve Guernsey’s competitiveness for local and international businesses. The Committee’s intention is to resubmit the document in revised form as soon as possible.”
