Guernsey States companies 'need more political oversight'

Deputy Al Brouard said politicians needed input into these important public services

Greater political oversight of firms owned by Guernsey States is needed in plans to reform the government, two deputies have suggested.

The States owns nine companies, the oversight of which is currently spread across three different departments.

Reform proposals, including a committee of two looking after all the firms, are due to be debated next week.

Deputy Al Brouard and Deputy Dave Jones believe a bigger committee is needed due to the size of the workload.

Commercialised companies

• Cabernet - holding company of the Aurigny Group comprised of the airline and Anglo Normandy Engineering

• Guernsey Electricity

• Guernsey Post

• Jamesco - owns and operates two fuel tankers

Unincorporated companies

• Guernsey Airport

• Guernsey Dairy

• Guernsey Harbours

• Guernsey Water

• States Works

Deputy Brouard said when compared to departments such as Health and Social Services, with a budget of just over £100m, and Education, with £70-80m, the firms needed a similar level of political input.

He said the nine bodies had a combined income of £200m, owned assets worth £0.5bn and employed 10% of States employees with "well over 1,200".

Deputy Brouard said to have that "looked after by a minor committee is out of kilter" with the rest of government and not in line with the "importance of all these public services".

Deputy Jones said they wanted the same as other principal committees - five States members and up to two non-States members - to make sure there was "adequate supervision".