Bailiff does not regret allowing extra amendments

Guernsey's new bailiff said she does not regret allowing new amendments to be submitted in the States tax reform debate, despite frustration from deputies.

Jessica Roland succeeded Sir Richard McMahon to become Guernsey's first female bailiff on Thursday and will oversee the continued tax talks next week.

Another 40 out of 57 amendments to the Policy and Resources (P&R) proposals are yet to be discussed after Roland allowed deputies to submit changes following the July debate.

Asked about the move to reopen the window, she said "it was the right decision" and insisted it was not one she regretted.

"I didn't write the rules. My job is to interpret the rules and I consider that my interpretation is right the decision," Roland said.

"To bring amendments is entirely to the members themselves, so that's for them to decide whether they want to bring them in or not."

P&R's package includes a 3% GST (goods and sales tax), reduced income tax rates, higher income tax allowances, limits for social security contributions, the reintroduction of motor tax and higher taxes for some businesses.

Amendments carried over from the last meeting in June include Deputy Gavin St Pier's proposals to tax Guernsey's governor, Deputy Andy Sloan's proposals to remove the mitigations from P&R's package, and Deputy Rob Curgenven's scheme to give tax breaks to people building their own homes.

Four deputies also want to replace P&R's package with increasing the rate of income tax to 22%, with one of the schemes time-limited for two years.

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