Latest news with #AlBrouard
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Dean of Guernsey warns of implications if rectory funding axed
The Dean of Guernsey says a proposal to stop ratepayers funding rectories will lead to "significant implications". The States of Guernsey is due to debate a Policy and Resources Committee report on Wednesday linked to a dispute involving Torteval and St Saviour parishes over the maintenance costs of a Church of England Guernsey's parishes are required to provide housing for rectors with the costs covered by ratepayers, but two deputies have proposed ending the policy from Very Reverend Tim Barker said he respected the "clear resolution of the States", but he cautioned work was needed to "consider the consequences". 'Difficult to justify' An amendment from Deputies Al Brouard and Susan Aldwell to the Parochial Church Property (Guernsey) Law 2015 called for a requirement for parishes to provide and cover clergy housing costs to be stopped from deputies said they felt the obligation to provide rectories free of charge had become "difficult to justify" in the 21st Barker said: "There will be significant implications, primarily for the clergy and their families who will be directly affected by the decision, but also for the Deanery of Guernsey and the work and ministry of our churches."We need to work carefully with the parishes and others to consider the consequences of the States resolution and what happens next."
BBC News
13-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey ratepayers covering rectory costs could be axed
A requirement for ratepayers in Guernsey parishes to pay for rectories could be States of Guernsey is due to debate a Policy and Resources Committee report on Wednesday linked to a dispute involving Torteval and St Saviour parishes over the maintenance costs of a Church of England an amendment from Deputies Al Brouard and Susan Aldwell to the Parochial Church Property (Guernsey) Law 2015 has called for a requirement for parishes to provide and cover clergy housing costs to be stopped from deputies said they felt the obligation to provide rectories free of charge had become "difficult to justify" in the 21st Century. Currently, Guernsey's parishes are required to provide housing for rectors with the costs covered by States said there was a dispute involving the maintenance costs of the St Saviour rectory, which is occupied by a reverend covering both the St Saviour and Torteval government said St Saviour believed the costs should be covered by both parishes, but Torteval has argued it was not required to do so as the rectory was not in their parish. 'More secular society' The amendment proposed the obligation should be stopped from 1 January, 2035 to provide a "lengthy transitional period" to discuss accommodation arrangements and other their amendment, Brouard and Aldwell said there were a number of reasons why they felt the obligation to parishes to pay for rectories should be included parishioners having more varied religious backgrounds, more pressure on parish funds and Guernsey being a "more secular society"."The basis of a continued duty or obligation to provide rectors and their households with housing free of charge is difficult to justify," the deputies BBC has approached the Dean of Guernsey Tim Barker for comment. St Martin's Senior Constable Dave Beausire said he supported the amendment put forward, although he would like the obligation to be removed earlier than said a lot of the island's rectories were old buildings that needed a lot of said this could cost ratepayers, including those who were not religious or who followed another faith, hundreds of thousands of pounds."This is not a religious issue, this is a practical issue," Beausire added."In this day and age, things need to change because there's always a cost and the cost is getting higher."
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Islanders to pay more to access residential care
Changes to how long-term care is funded in Guernsey aimed at stabilising and encouraging growth in the private care home market have been approved by States members. Over the next 15 years the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to more than double in Guernsey with more than 130 new care home beds needed by 2030. Currently islanders qualify for long-term care benefit and respite care benefit if they have been resident for five years, but this will be increased to 20 years. The agreed changes to the Long-term Care Insurance Scheme (LCIS) include a new user-pays contribution of up to £10,000 and increasing co-payments. The weekly payments will rise from £342.02 to £514.00 over a five-year phasing-in period beginning this year while the lump sum will be brought in at a later date. Deputy Peter Roffey, President of Employment and Social Security, brought forward the proposals and said he was delighted they were approved. "It was absolutely vital, otherwise we would have stood no chance at all of stabilising and expanding the care sector, which we desperately need." He said accepting the proposals was the first step to creating a competitive market to meet demand and improving the pay of care workers. "Recruiting and housing staff will be very difficult, but at least now we have the financial awards properly aligned with what they should be. "It gives us a fighting chance of seeing expansion." Deputy Al Brouard's amendment to increase the number of years someone must live in the island, before accessing financial help to pay for care, from five to 20 also passed. A "sufficient connection" to the Bailiwick over that period will have to be demonstrated. Roffey said he felt the qualification level was 'harsh' but he respected the decision of his colleagues. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Labour of love: Carers call for States support Islanders in care face paying thousands more Longer residency may be needed to qualify for care States of Guernsey
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey residents to pay more to access residential care
Changes to how long-term care is funded in Guernsey aimed at stabilising and encouraging growth in the private care home market have been approved by States the next 15 years the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to more than double in Guernsey with more than 130 new care home beds needed by islanders qualify for long-term care benefit and respite care benefit if they have been resident for five years, but this will be increased to 20 agreed changes to the Long-term Care Insurance Scheme (LCIS) include a new user-pays contribution of up to £10,000 and increasing co-payments. 'A fighting chance' The weekly payments will rise from £342.02 to £514.00 over a five-year phasing-in period beginning this year while the lump sum will be brought in at a later Peter Roffey, President of Employment and Social Security, brought forward the proposals and said he was delighted they were approved."It was absolutely vital, otherwise we would have stood no chance at all of stabilising and expanding the care sector, which we desperately need."He said accepting the proposals was the first step to creating a competitive market to meet demand and improving the pay of care workers."Recruiting and housing staff will be very difficult, but at least now we have the financial awards properly aligned with what they should be."It gives us a fighting chance of seeing expansion."Deputy Al Brouard's amendment to increase the number of years someone must live in the island, before accessing financial help to pay for care, from five to 20 also passed.A "sufficient connection" to the Bailiwick over that period will have to be said he felt the qualification level was 'harsh' but he respected the decision of his colleagues.
