Infrastructure Funding Review Sparks Concerns Over Potential Cuts’ Impact on Islanders

Officials are currently reviewing the funding for several significant infrastructure projects in Guernsey, leading to apprehension about their future. This review was announced by Policy and Resources (P&R) after the committee’s proposal to increase income tax in 2025 to generate £34m was rejected. Previously, President Lyndon Trott had issued a warning that projects, including those at the hospital, schools, and the Alderney runway, might face reductions. Organizations connected to these projects have indicated that any funding cuts could result in consequences such as extended hospital waiting times. Nick Dove, who serves as chairman of the Royal College of Nursing for Guernsey, emphasized the necessity of applying common sense when allocating funds for the hospital upgrade, which is already exceeding its budget. “Recruitment is massive, we are up against Jersey and the Isle of Man, which have newer facilities than we do,” he said.”If you are looking to go and work in a shiny new hospital, the work that is being done is a real thing to bring people in.”In the long term, that next phase [of development] will actually start to bring waiting lists down potentially, as we could get more people moving through the system.” Steve Roberts, the vice-president of the States of Alderney, stated that discontinuing the runway extension project could endanger the airport’s future. “The project should have been done two years ago, it’s been put back and put back,” he said. “That has cost £250,000 every time it’s renewed and patched up, it’s cost them a fortune. “We’re in danger of having it closed.” Mr Roberts highlighted the airport’s crucial role in transporting hospital patients from the island. “Do you want to put them on a 12-seater boat up a ladder? Some of them can’t even walk,” he said.”It’s an absolute disgrace.” Mr Roberts suggested that alternative methods exist for generating revenue that would not “ruin” the island’s businesses. “They’re going to ruin the population, you’ll empty the island, it will end up an island full of puffins,” he said. Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen, President of Education, Sport and Culture, affirmed that the Guernsey Institute project, which entails demolishing the St Peter Port School to construct an £88m educational campus, is essential for the island’s future. “There has been significant underinvestment in many areas for decades in Guernsey,” she said.”A lot of this work is racing to catch up to make sure that we are providing best value and able to demonstrate that best value for taxpayers.” P&R issued a statement indicating: “The portfolio of infrastructure projects would need to be reviewed if the Assembly was unable to agree the temporary increase in the personal rate of income tax. “This increase, as clearly explained by our committee both in the lead-up to the debate and throughout the four-day meeting, was essential to address the immediate financial challenge we face and secure the continued investment in infrastructure.”