Guernsey deputies to debate creation of watchdog

Debate on the creation of an independent body has been scheduled for 21 February

Guernsey deputies have been offered a choice regarding plans on how to deal with complaints against the States.

Former president of the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) Deputy Peter Ferbrache had recommended work creating an ombudsperson be scrapped.

The committee at the time said it was "not a priority use of resources".

New P&R leader Deputy Lyndon Trott has put forward a proposal, which if approved would give deputies a choice to pursue or stop the plan.

A debate on the creation of an independent body has been scheduled for 21 February.

Originally P&R stated the estimated cost of the new ombudsperson would have been about £170,000.

Work to create the new body started in 2022 in tandem with the States of Jersey (SoJ).

The SoJ had previously said despite P&R's intention to scrap the plans for a new body it was moving forward with it.

In December the SoJ said "a public service ombudsperson will be introduced in Jersey".