Guernsey States shake-up costs 'kept to minimum'

The States have said the overhaul is expected to create savings of between £250,000 and £300,000 a year

The cost of changing to a new system of government is being "kept to a minimum", the chief executive of the States of Guernsey has promised.

The States will move from a ministerial to committee style of government next month following the 27 April general election.

Areas of government responsibilities will be merged and re-named under the new system.

Thousands of pounds have been spent on new signage and stationery alone.

Paul Whitfield said: "We've driven down costs substantially; in fact comparable exercises elsewhere have cost well over £1m.

"We managed to do all our signage and main notices for just over £40,000".

How much to overhaul Guernsey's government structure?

"One-off, essential costs" to set up the committee system is a maximum of £530,000 broken down as follows:

• Project lead in administration: £145,000

• Designate appointments to develop operational schedules and prepare for new committee structure: £245,000

• Communication: £40,000

• Human resources staff: £60,000

• Reconfiguring systems: £10,000

• Ancillary staff costs: £30,000

Rebranding following the changes:

• New signage: £40,000

• New stationery: £3,300

• Changes to social media and websites: £400