SOME OF MY PERSONAL SUCCESSES

Taking an amendment to persuade the members to agree the implementation for Simultaneous Electronic Voting to be installed.  This was successful after my second attempt  (now awaiting funds for implementation)

A lot of my work involves assisting individuals and businesses with their planning applications, or should I say rejections from the previous Island Development Committee.  The total I have helped are well over 200 and just about all of them had an acceptable outcome.  A few of these were either taken to the Royal Court by the Island Development Committee or the applicant themselves took the Island Development Committee to Court.  All those whom I encouraged and supported won their case in court.  There were some individuals waiting 4yrs before the Court case was heard, a long time giving much concern to those involved, thankfully the right result was achieved.

Another of my amendments was succeeding to have site notices for future planning applications. Once the necessary laws are completed, no longer will neighbours be kept in the dark on future developments as there will be a requirement for on site notices for 3 weeks resulting in more time to view applications and a better chance of not missing an application when out of the island on business/holiday. 

I placed a successful amendment against Commerce & Employments States Report to ensure that the islands milk retailers were able to continue with their licence and zoning which had been successful for many years. Only 4 members voted against my amendment.  Had Commerce & Employments report been approved it would have been a disaster for the milk retailers who offer such good service to our community.   Since compiling this website a report has since returned to the States overturning the vote leaving a devastating effect on the businesses the milk retailers paid for in all good faith.   

Just after the 2000 elections I was invited to be part of a sub-group looking at developing a States of Guernsey citizen led website.  Public consultation took place along with a visit to the various  committee staff to access and address any potential problems and seek support for this project going ahead.  Government must, in my view, make themselves available 24 x 7 to enable payments, questions or queries to be sent when it best suits the public.  Gone are the days when the standard business hours are acceptable or always relevant, paying accounts online is in example of easy access. There is still work to be done on this project but the website has gone a long way to addressing accessibility.

Being elected as Minister for Social Security Department was in itself a first for any woman to lead Social Security in its 80yr history.  A real honour and privilege. 

My priority as Minister of Social Security was to reduce the extremely high drug bill through promoting and encouraging the wastage campaign.  The result was for the first time in the 30yr history a reduction was achieved on the £14m drug bill. 

Another first came from tough negotiations as Minister with the fund managers looking after the Social Security funds, resulting in a reduction on their fees, saving a considerable amount of money annually. 

There have been many public campaigns during my time in the States which I have supported including the Christmas Lights appeal, a better postal service following severe delays and wrong destination deliveries, St Sampson’s marina development changing yet another natural area, the protests against No More Masts and antennae around the island.  There seems to be more campaigns than there used to be.