Some things I have accomplished….
MARRIAGE LAWS – As President of Etat Civil, in 2000 after years of prevarication, I helped to reform the Island’s Marriage Laws, liberalising marriages and opening up the Island for marriages from outside of the Island. Today hundreds of couples visit the Island to as a result of the reforms.
STATISTICS – As President of Etat Civil, I oversaw the 2001 Census, regarded as most accurate and detailed census of modern times. We managed to estimate for first time the Island population and provide government with accurate base line data on population, housing and many other statistics.
LIBRALISED SERVICES – I developed and carried through the States reform of Telecommunications market. Incorporating Jersey Telecoms from a States department to State owned company, we liberalised the Telecoms market and also set up the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority: the Islands first independent regulatory body. Since that time Telecoms has become more competitive, quality of services has increased and prices fallen. I also oversaw the incorporation and liberalisation of Jersey Post.
COMPETITION LAW - I pioneered the creation and adoption of Island’s first Competition Law. This made price-fixing illegal and put in place merger and acquisition controls to prevent over concentration of individual firms in Jersey. It is widely regarded as one of the major drivers for lower prices in many sectors.
UNFAIR WELFARE BURDEN - As a member of States Parish Working Party, I helped to design a new States Rating System, including the introduction of new Island-Wide Commercial and Domestic Rates, which has lead to reform of an unfair rates burden.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE - As Vice-President of Finance and Economics, I established the Public Accounts Committee and created the office of Comptroller and Auditor General. The PAC provides the first independent watchdog on States expenditure.
WASTE STRATEGY - In June 2005, as President of Environment and Public Services, I successfully steered and got near unanimous States approval for new Waste Strategy, and for the replacement of the Bellozanne Incinerator (sadly, the decision for the replacement of Bellozanne which was ready for final approval later that year took 2 more years to resolve after I left E&PS)
INVESTMENT IN ROADS - As President of Public Services, after years of over charging and under investment in our roads, I spearheaded the renegotiation of contracts for road repairs. This resulted in miles of much needed resurfacing on many Islands arterial roads.
PLANNING – As a back-bencher and President of Planning, I introduced a system of Planning Obligations (the 45:55 policy) which captured some of the windfall gain of re-zoning and provided community facilities and hundreds of units of social rented housing. During my tenure as Environment and Public Services President, I also solved numerous problems, including the resolution of the significant problems associated with the Connex Bus Contract, rescinding the ill-judged Trinity In Fill Decision, putting in place stronger guidelines and raising standards for Planning Committee Members, Commissioning the Sheply Review of the Waterfront, raising the quality of Planning decisions (which Senator Cohen has built on since), and passing numerous Planning Permissions such as The Royal Yacht Hotel, Liberation Station)
STATES REFORM – I was a key member responsible for pushing ahead reforms recommended by Sir Cecil Clothier. I proposed the introduction of Questions without Notice, which is now the key way backbenchers hold Ministers to account publicly. There is some irony to found in this I’m sure; as a Minister myself I am now often subject to these questions!
MIGRATION POLICY - Chaired a working party overseeing reform of outdated, unfair and complicated Housing and Regulation of Undertakings Laws, and designed a new system which streamlined and strengthened functions of Population Control leading to better information, and fairer, tighter control of migration.
ARTS, SPORTS & CULTURE – I have always supported key cultural events which benefit Islanders and visitors including, Liberation Day Celebration at People’s Park, Jersey Marathon, Kyran Bracken Ice Show, Branchage Film Festival and after years of problems (and whilst this has not been trouble free) increased funding for Battle of Flowers, International Air Display and Fete des Noues
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