Several islanders rounded on the States at last night's people's meeting.
A proposal to increase planning fees was particularly unpopular.
Former States member Francis Simonet said: "The proposed fees are just a copy of those in Guernsey, with the only significant difference being that some of our charges are higher than theirs. How on earth do you justify that when the building here tends to be modest?
"Alderney cannot afford these fees. In the last few years our States has made us pay dearly and I believe it's to cover bad management of capital projects. It's time States members took an audit of themselves. This island is suffering, and suffering badly."
There was also uproar over proposals to increase water rates by ten per cent for the fifth successive year.
Another ex-States member, Louis Jean, said: "This is quite serious for Alderney. People are struggling to pay their utility bills. I don't see wages going up ten per cent - these are hard times."
Mr Jean said the States should ask Guernsey to cover the rates rise, as the capital allocation of £200,000 has been frozen for more than a decade.
Tony Llewellyn, convener at the meeting, said Guernsey's refusal to increase Alderney's capital budget was "disgraceful".
States President Sir Norman Browse was praised at the meeting for presenting a green paper on planning obligations and community gain. Writing in the Billet D'Etat, Sir Norman described planning gain as "immoral".
Mr Simonet agreed with the President.
He said: "I congratulate the President for bringing this forward. The BDCC [Building and Development Control Committee] has no authority to impose a tax or penalty on any developer.
"I know people who were going to develop, and they put the plans in, before getting a call from a civil servant and being asked how much they were going to give the States. It is outrageous and has no part in our community. The way this building committee has acted has been appalling and disgraceful. Our government is supposed to set standards - it should hang its head in shame."
3 comments on this article
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Icey | Mon 28th June 2010 The Building and Development Committee has quite frankly been awful for a number of years. Out of the 5 Committee members, I can only see 1 that would could possibly be qualified and know how to read building plans. Not good enough, though it doesn’t end there. Anne is correct, it can seem too personal and if your face doesn’t fit…………. Well the proofs in the pudding. Have a look around the island and see some of the developments that our very own Civil Servants, people in “the know” have built and then tell me it isn’t easier for them to get what they want. As soon as someone else tries, its fees, fees and fees, probably to justify there own exorbitant wages. Why are building plans being sent to a structural engineering firm called Campbell & Bloese? Are we not paying in excess of 50k a year for our own engineer and probably 30 odd k for an assistant? I don’t seem to recall plans being sent away by the last engineer whatever his faults. Is this where the justification for raising planning fees is coming from? If so, then why do we need so many Civil Servants who are clearly not doing or can’t do their job?
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Rees Bryant | Mon 28th June 2010 Well done the President. For once I agree with him. What he said makes perfect sense and needed saying. And I suspect he announced it publicly so that the public would know what was being said. If he had written to the BDCC it would have gone round and round in secret and never seen the light of day.
We are a small island and need some simple rules and procedures which we all know, and which are seen to be fair and fairly applied. Why is that so difficult? And why the constant secrecy? Lack of confidence?
Policies should be developed in stages, and at each stage seek public approval, as it is the public who are affected and who have to abide by the results.
1. Define the problem
2. Identify the possible solutions
3. Decide the most appropriate solution
4. Develop and implement that solution.
Not rocket science just simple logical steps as used in many major organisations.
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anne | Wed 23rd June 2010 For once I agree with the president! But you also have to contend with personalty issues from the civil servants. If they dont like you or your plans.... you will not get them passed!!!"
The Journal believes this is an opportune moment to conduct a survey of the States. The aim is to help the States, its members and those who are considering standing for election. Click here to vote!
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
Mon 6th September 2010 AHOHA (Aldeerney Hard of Hearing Association)
Short AGM followed by a Talk and PowerPoint presentation:'Sri Lanka - Recovery from the War in Jafna - a Personal Experience' by James Dent., Jubilee Home, 14:30 to 16:00
Mon 6th September 2010 Alderney Music Society - Tom Poster (Piano)
Tickets from Sara Fisher (Next to Reynards), Anne French Room, 20:00
The Journal's first States Survey
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 