Guernsey, Alderney and Sark governments seek stronger links
Ian Carter, from the States of Alderney, said the island had benefitted from the States of Guernsey through Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic
At a glance
Guernsey, Alderney and Sark seek stronger working relationships
Options have been discussed in recent months
Any agreed proposals would be expected to go before parliaments for consideration
There would also be wider public engagement on any plans
- Published
The governments of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark say they are seeking stronger working relationships with each other.
Politicians from the islands said they had identified the need at their regular Bailiwick Council meetings.
A spokesperson for the three governments said "any adjustments to the relationships will also need to protect the independence and special characteristics of each island and the Bailiwick as a whole".
They said it was expected the group of representatives of the islands would present any agreed proposals to their respective parliaments for consideration and wider public engagement would be sought.
'Wealth of expertise'
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, president of the Policy & Resources Committee, States of Guernsey, said there had been changes to the constitutional arrangements within each of the States of Guernsey, States of Alderney and Chief Pleas of Sark in recent decades.
He said: "However, until recently, there had not been much focus on how we might enhance working relationships between us to create an overall improvement in the effectiveness, efficiency and resilience of the Bailiwick’s three governments.
"It is important to do that now to help the whole Bailiwick to face the future with confidence.”
Ian Carter, former chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, States of Alderney, said the island had benefitted from "the wealth of expertise and experience provided by the States of Guernsey" through Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said there was an "opportunity to build on examples" such as these and "seek to modernise the way of working between our jurisdictions”.
Conseiller John Guille, chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Chief Pleas of Sark, said: “As the smallest jurisdiction of the Bailiwick, Sark has the least resources at its disposal to tackle challenges that affect us all.
"A stronger working relationship with the other islands can ensure that Sark’s government has more opportunities to think strategically about the future, whilst also retaining features that make the island special.”