Latest news with #LyndonTrott
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey chief minister "embarrassed" by ferry spat
Guernsey's chief minister has said he was embarrassed by a spat between Channel Island politicians over proposals for an inter island ferry follows a disagreement between Guernsey's head of economic development Neil Inder and Jersey's economic development minister Kirsten Morel over a possible solution to provide freight transport links between the a Chamber Of Commerce lunch, the chief ministers of Guernsey and Jersey were asked if they were embarrassed by the row between their economic development Lyndon Farnham said he was "disappointed but not embarrassed" while Guernsey's Lyndon Trott said he was "more embarrassed than Deputy Farnham". The chief ministers were talking to business leaders in Guernsey about the importance of inter-island cooperation on Wednesday when they were asked about the disagreement between Morel and had said he was angry Morel had told the media Guernsey did not seem as positive as Jersey over the inter island ferry plan proposed to them by FerryBridge. 'Disappointed but not embarrassed' Guernsey's chief minister Lyndon Trott told the BBC he was embarrassed by the spat. "One of the first things I learnt in politics is that there are few things that can't be sorted out over a cup of tea but also it's important that proper business is not conducted on the front page of the local newspapers," he said." I think while the spat was regrettable, the positions are held strongly."However Trott insisted inter island relationships were stronger than ever."The good news is there is an overwhelming amount of time we spend working cooperatively, collaboratively and positively and I genuinely expect that to continue significantly into the future," he said he was "disappointed" but not "embarrassed" by the disagreement and it was important the islands looked at moving forward."What we have to do now is work together to ensure, in the fullness of time, that we can get an improved inter island service for passengers and cars," he said."I'm sure that Brittany Ferries and DFDS and Jersey and Guernsey are committed to that and we have other third party operators that want to come in and provide services." However, Murray Norton, the head of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, described the spat as "politically immature"."I think it's disappointing for Channel Island collaboration and I think its fairly unfitting of two politicians, whilst they might have deep seated views of their own island and we all have those," said Mr Norton. "But we've got to see the bigger picture and we look at our politicians to act much more maturely and to act a little bit more dignified I think."Inder is one of 82 candidates standing in Guernsey's general election - see a full list here.
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
States of Guernsey stop potential £35m Bridge investment
Public investment into the regeneration of St Sampson, known locally in Guernsey as The Bridge, has been stopped, the States of Guernsey has announced. It comes after the States Assembly had agreed in principle to invest up to £35m in the project which aimed to improve coastal and flood Lyndon Trott OBE said: "This project has now been progressed as far as the States can invest."He added the States would now continue to focus on improving the delivery of "needed housing development" and would continue to invest resources in "other projects and initiatives as part of the wider Bridge regeneration". Mr Trott said the other projects and initiatives included: Enabling flood defences at The BridgeA delivery framework to co-ordinate delivery of housing sites and infrastructureSupporting the Guernsey Development AgencyApproving the Local Planning Brief for St Sampson Harbour Action AreaHe said: "We expect to be able to share positive updates on the progress of these initiatives for the community in due course."
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey's P&R committee warns college cuts may have wider impact
Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has urged deputies to "carefully consider" representations of stakeholders ahead of a debate about possible college funding cuts. The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture hopes to reallocate grants currently given to three private colleges to States-maintained totalled £723,000 in the 2019/20 academic year and could total about £2.85m for 2025/ on behalf of P&R, Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said it was important islanders had confidence that "decisions made in respect of the future funding arrangements are evidence-based and informed not just by the direct financial costs but the wider strategic implications". 'Potential destabilising effect' If deputies vote in favour of proposals as they stand, funding for the institutions - Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College and the Ladies' College - would be phased out over a five-year the letter of comment, P&R said that the importance of the colleges had been well demonstrated by statements from both the Institute of Directors and the Guernsey international Business Association. Similar points were made by the colleges to deputies and were shared by the majority of non-conflicted members of the committee. Again speaking on behalf or P&R, Trott said: "Should the colleges be correct that a reduction in States' funding would result in increased fees and a potential reduction in their student numbers, concerns have been raised regarding the potential destabilising effect on the sector."The three colleges individually provide specific education offerings, which collectively complement the States' schools, and the committee would be concerned if the viability of one, or more, of the colleges was detrimentally affected."Debate is due to start in the States' chamber from Wednesday. P&R Vice-president Heidi Soulsby has recused herself from the debate as she is a member of the Ladies' College's board of governors.
