In short:
If you just want to get up to speed quickly on the Development Agency, read these items:
- The idea: P&R wants a development agency to run Guernsey’s east coast (1 Feb, Bailiwick Express)
- Where it came from: Heated harbours debate in Guernsey States (17 Jun 2021, Island FM)
- What it could mean (thread): IoD: Public/Private Partnerships breakfast panel (17 Feb 2022, IoD)
- Questions raised: Development agency to be debated with eight amendments (24 Mar 2022, Bailiwick Express)
- Additional amendments: ‘States of action’ needs to take tough decision (28 Mar 2022, Guernsey Press), Tunnel vision for Town seafront (29 Mar 2022, Bailiwick Express)
- Result of States debate: States approve new development agency (1 Apr 2022, Bailiwick Express)
- Analysis of States debate: Focus: The East Coast – what did the States actually decide? (5 Apr 2022, Bailiwick Express)
- Board recruitment: Talent wanted to guide east coast development plans (8 Nov 2022, Bailiwick Express)
- Change of plans: Future of harbours to be left to next States Assembly (7 June 2023, Bailiwick Express)
In detail:
Here’s the full story –
On Monday 31 January 2022, the Policy and Resources Committee published a policy paper proposing the creation of a Development Agency to plan and deliver the development of Guernsey’s East Coast. Read the policy paper.
The impetus to create a development agency came as a result of a contentious P&R amendment to STSB’s ‘Future Harbours’ proposals in June 2021.
The agency will be independent of the States, but will be overseen by three senior Deputies. It will have three staff, a board of six and seed funding from the States of £1m to cover its first two years.
The proposals for a development agency were debated and agreed at the Wednesday 30 March 2022 States meeting. Voting records on propositions and amendments.
Stuart Falla CBE was appointed as Chair-designate in July 2022 and board recruitment began in November 2022.
In April 2023, P&R informed Deputies that the role and budget of the agency were being cut back while the Development and Planning Authority draws up local planning briefs for the harbours.
Stuart Falla stepped down as Chair-designate in June 2023 and was proposed to be replaced by Peter Watson, one of the three new Board directors. The change of plans and the names of the new directors were published pending States approval. Read the policy paper.
The major decision on Guernsey future harbour requirements will not now happen until the next States term.
Initial media reaction
States to launch development agency to progress harbours (1 Feb, Guernsey Press)
P&R wants a development agency to run Guernsey’s east coast (1 Feb, Bailiwick Express)
Guernsey Party deputies and Chamber welcome east coast plans (1 Feb, Bailiwick Express)
Warm welcome from business groups for east coast agency (2 Feb, Guernsey Press)
Local development agency ‘must look beyond profit’ (18 Feb, Guernsey Press)
Media stories in advance of the debate
Deputy doubts public are fully aware of east coast development debate (15 Mar, Bailiwick Express)
Development agency to be debated with eight amendments (24 Mar, Bailiwick Express)
P&R works with its former president (24 Mar, Guernsey Press)
Deputy wants agency to fall under Freedom of Information Code (24 Mar, Guernsey Press)
‘States of action’ needs to take tough decision (28 Mar, Guernsey Press)
Tunnel vision for Town seafront (29 Mar, Bailiwick Express)
Opinion: Time to decide (29 Mar, Guernsey Press)
Amendment seeks to drive traffic away from seafront (30 Mar, Guernsey Press)
Comment: Fogging the vision for the East Coast (30 Mar, Guernsey Press)
Media analysis after the debate
Podcast: Six-minute States – Day 3 (30 Mar, Guernsey Press)
States approve new development agency (1 Apr, Bailiwick Express)
New development agency tasked with exploring tunnel idea (2 Apr, Guernsey Press)
‘Tunnel not the only option for Town seafront’ (4 Apr, Guernsey Press)
Focus: The East Coast – what did the States actually decide? (5 Apr, Bailiwick Express)
Tunnel idea ‘should be investigated’ (6 Apr, Guernsey Press)
Opinion: Are the ports in a bit of a pickle? (28 Mar 23, Bailiwick Express)
Future of harbours to be left to next States Assembly (7 June 2023, Bailiwick Express)
Board recruitment
Stuart Falla to head up new States development agency (21 Jul, BBC Guernsey)
Talent wanted to guide east coast development plans (8 Nov, Bailiwick Express)
Other reaction
Guernsey Party blog: P&R Policy Letter – Creation of Development Agency (1 Feb)
IoD: Public/Private Partnerships breakfast panel (17 Feb)
Opinion: We can build it but will they come? (Horace Camp, 8 Apr, Guernsey Press)
Previous ‘Future Harbours Development’ debate in *June 2021*
Policy paper and amendments (Item 12 of Propositions and Policy Letters)
Hansard for Thursday 17 June 2021 debate (page 690 onwards)
Hansard for Friday 18 June 2021 continuation (page 765 onwards)
Heated harbours debate in Guernsey States (17 Jun 2021, Island FM)
“Macho man politics” drags down chaotic harbours debate (18 Jun 2021, Bailiwick Express)
Fears that infill of Belle Greve could be back on the agenda (21 Jun 2021, Guernsey Press)
‘Stupid idea’ of Longue Hougue harbour thrown out by deputies (20 June 2021, Guernsey Press)
Preferred harbour plan out of kilter with reality, says CGi (17 June 2021, Guernsey Press)
Non-tidal berths a big plus of Pool marina (11 Jun 2021, Guernsey Press)
‘Marina in the Pool should be a priority’ (9 Jun 2021, Guernsey Press)