Three years ago I was elected Deputy for St Brelade following careers in the private and public sectors including former chief officer of Planning.
I have been chairman of the Environment Scrutiny panel and have completed over fifty public hearings and reviews, including energy policy
As a backbencher, I have lodged many private propositions and gained States agreement to
- important changes to the island plan,
- amendments to planning law
- and many others.
I want to use my short time today to speak about planning and finance. My full policies are in my manifesto and website,
As the second most populated parish you know about the pressure from development. Just glancing at the Island Plan town map shows just how important are the areas zoned as protected open space, playing fields and public park. Sadly your neighbour, St Helier desperately lacks such open space and has a population density half that of Hong Kong but double that of parts of London. Accommodating population growth without creating dense urban ghettos is going to a big issue. This has to be given greater political priority if we are not to create social problems for the future
Planning requires long term vision setting policies with the community to encourage development which enhances local amenities and meets the community needs. We need a long term urban development plan to ensure our town remains a good place to live
The Island Plan needs to be enforced with rigour, I have had too many cases in this district where things have gone wrong with our planning system and caused huge problems for people. The improvements to our planning system, including a new appeals system, have to be implemented swiftly and efficiently. The new minister will have a much stronger role setting policies and giving the political direction which has been missing.
Our 2015 budget represents a departure from decades of financial prudence; our government is now spending more than we receive. The continued growth in public spending is no longer sustainable. We have to review spending priorities and progress public sector reform while protecting frontline services such as health and education.
We need our government to work in a way which suits our close community and builds consensus rather than encourages adversarial politics.
We need to rebuild lost trust in our government and restore confidence in it.
In this election, you have a choice of voting for change or for more of the same from the existing ministers
We need a fresh approach. I have the capability and experience to deliver the changes which a great many people have told me they want to see.
I humbly ask for your vote as Senator.
Thank you
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