Bob Murray

Personal Statement

Why am I Standing? I have lived through Guernsey’s various prime activities of Horticulture, Tourism, and Finance. At the height of double-digit inflation in the ‘seventies, working 3 jobs to try to build a house - I know how tough things can get when the economy falters. I have been very worried by the direction of travel this last Assembly has taken and I fear for Guernsey’s future without change.

• Integrated Transport Strategy.
  Not fit for purpose.
• Island Development Plan.
  Not fit for purpose.
• Population & Management Plan.
  Not fit for purpose.
• Seafront Enhancement Plan.
  Not fit for purpose.
• 2 Schools Education Plan.
  Not fit for purpose.

Manifesto

OVERVIEW – WHAT DO I PROPOSE?

The economy is front and centre to Guernsey’s ability to recover and grow. To assist this, we need a substantial focus on digital skills and improved internet connectivity. Consequently, 5G can happen quickly until fibre is widespread in the longer term. We need a re-appraisal of external market opportunities across our Finance sector bearing in mind Brexit, the impact of Covid and new productivity developments such as AI. Other areas include broadening the scope of our Intellectual Property legislation to encompass a single point of worldwide registration. Digital Asset Management is another area ready for tapping into – providing we have the legislative framework and off-island connectivity and resilience to permit it.

Aurigny has to be brought to break-even as a minimum. I would support the creation of a separate Transport department responsible for all external links and internal transport infrastructure and policy.

I would be ready to reclassify empty retail premises for domestic use to lessen the demand for new housing as far as possible. I also favour States backed guarantees for appropriate mortgage applicants, for example nurses, teachers and other essential workers on low or moderate incomes.

I am in favour of making Solar accessible and in particular – the serious investigation of sustainable tidal power (perhaps with Alderney). We need energy (and indeed food) security as an Island.

As a member of The Guernsey Party, I am in accord with the following Policy objectives.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

Tax & Public Finances

• Aim for no tax increases during the next term, no GST, maintain low taxation to be internationally competitive.
• Increase tax relief on charity donations to assist 3rd sector losses during COVID.
• Increase responsibility of the charity sector to deliver government objectives through direct funding.
• Deliver promised public sector efficiency savings without cutting frontline services.
• Aspire to reduce tax rate for the lower/middle tier tax payer to 15% in medium term.

Education

• 3 x 11-16 schools with 1 x 6th form college on one site.
• Support creation of The Institute.
• Develop re-skill programme for the unemployed and indentured apprenticeships for 16+.

Covid Recovery

• Suspend internal capital expenditure processes to speed up infrastructure investment.
• Reduce regulation: adapt/ease controls by sector to support business recovery and boost employment post COVID.
• Invest in infrastructure, preferring local contractors.
• Consider introduction of a digital system for monitoring persons in isolation.

Infrastructure

• Accelerate harbour development.
• High speed broadband for the whole Island.
• Repair all damaged sea defences with urgency, including L’Ancresse. Maintain them properly and consistently in future and configure for predicted sea level rise.

Energy, Renewables & the Environment

• Solar Fund: free solar panels (reducing bills) to be repaid by part proceeds of solar production.
• Focus on more rapid development of renewable generation including tidal and offshore wind and encourage transition to electricity for home heating and transport.

Business

• Review the effectiveness of the GFSC as a regulatory body.

Transport & Connectivity

• Licensing of ramp use in harbour and enforceable service level agreement with Condor: rejig schedules, consider what options for replacement of the Liberation to improve reliability.
• Give Aurigny a long-term, strategic objective: lease rather than buy aircraft.
• Restructure all strategic transport responsibilities under one governing group.

Housing

• Review work permit policy for teachers, nurses and other key workers to consider long-term licences/reduce staff turnover. Review population management strategy for the hospitality industry.

Health

• Resolve nursing staff pay dispute including terms and conditions (in conjunction with policy housing and work permits). Reduce staff turnover - develop nursing as a rewarding, affordable career choice for islanders with on-island training.
• Commence strategic planning for the need to increase space for care for the elderly.

Law & Order

• Consider recreational use of cannabis subject to suitable regulation and THC limits as per Canada system.

Planning

• Expansion of exemptions from Planning. Simplification of the planning process - set shorter target response times. Significant reduction of land use and purpose categories.
• Embargo on further large developments in the Vale and St Sampson’s where infrastructure is under stress.

Traffic

• Halt removal/reduction of parking spaces in St Peter Port and elsewhere. Increase access to parking in St Peter Port as part of harbour development.