'Frustrations' over harbour progress as chair resigns

The head of Guernsey's top political committee says she shares "frustrations" after the resignation of the chair of the Guernsey Development Agency (GDA).

The GDA is an infrastructure body created by the States to develop St Peter Port and St Sampson's harbour areas. It thanked outgoing chair Peter Watson who has been approached for comment, for his three years of service.

The agency noted its 25-year programme was not "without challenges" but "with adequate governance and support it is achievable".

President of Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) Lindsay de Sausmarez, who chairs the GDA political oversight group, said the States would meet with the GDA to find "the most effective next steps."

In a statement, non-executive director of the GDA, James Ede Golightly, thanked Watson for his service.

"Peter's tenacity and passion to enhance our island has been a key reason for the GDA's successes to date," he said.

"In this time, the agency has progressed to develop tangible plans for enhancements in St Sampsons that promise economic revitalisation, flood defences and vital housing whilst improving the area for the local community and visitors."

But Deputy de Sausmarez added a "lack of a strategic decision over our future harbour requirements has really tied the GDA's hands behind its back".

"It's immensely frustrating that more progress on the Future Harbours work has not been made in the last four years, but I know all of the committees involved are hard at work this term to move it forward," she said.

She added the States had made the progression of infrastructure at Guernsey's ports a priority.

"Progress along the eastern seaboard depends to a considerable extent on how we intend to use St Peter Port and St Sampson's harbours over the coming years and decades," she said.

"This P&R has been relentless in dragging this issue off the back burner, where it had sadly been languishing, and giving it the focus it deserves."

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