Deputies Decide To Defer Electricity Debate

Friday, 7 July 2023 11:12

Members spent more than two hours debating whether or not to debate the Electricity Strategy.

The motion to defer - a 'sursis' - was brought by Policy and Resources member deputy Bob Murray.

He argued it was more logical to debate the Electricity Policy after the Government Work Plan debate, immediately following the summer recess. It will be at this point that deputies must decide which projects get funding, and which are sidelined.

"I don't think people are quite prepared to accept that there is a lot of money involved here. There will be money needed to make this Strategy happen. But the money is very, very limited. And we're not replenishing the pot."

The motion to delay was opposed by a number of speakers, including Deputy Peter Roffey:

"We'll all go home and sit, and, I don't know, watch Wimbledon, although it's too nice weather for that. What's that going to look like? We're going to be busy in two week's time, we're going to be busy in September."

In the end, the sursis was passed by 19 votes to 15.

Alan Bates, the CEO of Guernsey Electricity.

Yesterday (6 July), the make up of the East Coast Development Agency was agreed. Its funding has been cut to £250,000 over the next two years and the States will approve transfers or leases of land.

Its chair will be Peter Watson, the founder of Vets 4 Pets.