Computer database to replace Guernsey census
- Published
A computer database containing personal information on everyone in Guernsey could replace the census.
The Policy Council who proposed a "rolling electronic census" said times have changed since the last census in 2001.
It said there were now better ways of finding out how many people live in the island.
The Policy Council said it would save money and avoid the duplication of work across different States departments.
The database would combine information already held by various States departments as well as utility providers and doctors' surgeries.
It would then be able to provide a live snapshot of island life at the touch of a button.
It would cost £600,000 to set up and £60,000 a year to maintain, but the Policy Council said the annual running costs would be absorbed by any savings in avoiding duplication across departments and the set up cost was the same amount as running a census.
The next census is due in 2011 but if these plans are approved, when they go before the States in July, this would not take place.