Independent Review Proposed for Sark Lease Award Dispute

An independent inquiry may be commissioned concerning two Sark conseillers regarding the allocation of a lease for the Old Island Hall. Conseiller Tony Le Lievre and Conseiller Paul Williams are currently under investigation by the island’s own Code of Conduct Panel (CoC Panel) concerning the lease of a property known as the Old Island Hall to a private individual. The conseillers had sought a review, citing serious procedural errors, but this request was denied because the CoC Panel stated that no new evidence had been presented. Subsequently, the island’s policy and finance committee has recommended an independent report to be conducted by Dr Melissa McCullough, who serves as the pan-island commissioner for standards. Dr McCullough’s responsibilities include handling complaints related to politicians in both Jersey and Guernsey. A report submitted to the Chief Pleas stated: “The recommended course of action is to commission an independent report by Dr McCullough into the events surrounding the lease award for the Old Island Hall.” This recommendation is based on identified procedural failures and the need for a more comprehensive investigation than the CoC Panel is capable of providing. It further indicated that Dr McCullough’s terms of reference would permit a “thorough examination of all involved parties and actions”. The independent report would be presented to Chief Pleas alongside the CoC Panel’s findings for their acceptance, rejection, or debate, according to the report. An extraordinary meeting of the Chief Pleas has been scheduled for 13 November to consider this recommendation.