Yvonne Burford

Motion put to the States: SHOULD PROPOSITION 1 AND PROPOSITION 2 CARRY 3 (a) To agree that the Committee for Housing shall have the right of first refusal over the future use of the land at Lukis House, Swissville and Garden Hill for the delivery of Affordable Housing and mixed tenure housing, with such use to be given priority over alternative uses of the sites, subject to the Committee for Housing confirming the suitability and viability of the land for housing development; (b) To direct the Committee for Housing, in consultation with the Policy & Resources Committee, to identify the land required for housing development at these sites and undertake an outline viability assessment in order to identify preferred development strategies; (c) To direct the Committee for Housing to confirm its intentions for the use of such land no later than 31 December 2028 or 18 months before the planned opening of the new Children's Hub, whichever is earlier; (d) To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to reserve the land identified by the Committee for Housing under sub-paragraph 3(b) for housing purposes and, subject to any necessary statutory and property approvals, to make the land available for housing development following its vacation by the existing Health and Social Care users; (e) To direct the Policy & Resources Committee, not to allocate or commit any of the land at Lukis House, Swissville or Garden Hill to alternative uses until the Committee for Housing has had the opportunity to exercise its right of first refusal under sub-paragraph 3(a) unless the Committee for Housing has failed to confirm its intentions within the timeline specified in sub-paragraph 3(c).

Voting Pour delivers this

Gives the Committee for Housing right of first refusal over States-owned sites (Lukis House, Swissville, Garden Hill) for affordable housing, which advances progress on States-owned housing sites; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: To insert an additional proposition as follows: “SHOULD PROPOSITION 1 AND PROPOSITION 2 CARRY 3 (a) To agree that the Committee for Housing shall have the right of first refusal over the future use of the land at Lukis House, Swissville and Garden Hill for the delivery of Affordable Housing and mixed tenure housing, with such use to be given priority over alternative uses of the sites, subject to the Committee for Housing confirming the suitability and viability of the land for housing development; (b) To direct the Committee for Housing, in consultation with the Policy & Resources Committee, to identify the land required for housing development at these sites and undertake an outline viability assessment in order to identify preferred development strategies; (c) To direct the Committee for Housing to confirm its intentions for the use of such land no later than 31 December 2028 or 18 months before the planned opening of the new Children's Hub, whichever is earlier; (d) To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to reserve the land identified by the Committee for Housing under sub-paragraph 3(b) for housing purposes and, subject to any necessary statutory and property approvals, to make the land available for housing development following its vacation by the existing Health and Social Care users; (e) To direct the Policy & Resources Committee, not to allocate or commit any of the land at Lukis House, Swissville or Garden Hill to alternative uses until the Committee for Housing has had the opportunity to exercise its right of first refusal under sub-paragraph 3(a) unless the Committee for Housing has failed to confirm its intentions within the timeline specified in sub-paragraph 3(c).”

Voting Pour delivers this

The amendment inserts the right of first refusal for housing on States-owned sites, advancing the commitment to progress those sites; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: The States are asked to decide:- Whether they are of the opinion to approve the draft Ordinance entitled ''The Education (Governance Boards) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026'' and to direct that the same shall have effect as an Ordinance of the States.

Voting Pour delivers this

Amends the governance boards ordinance, continuing the implementation of devolved school governance.

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Motion put to the States: The States are asked to decide:- Whether they are of the opinion to approve the draft Ordinance entitled ''The Education (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2025 (Commencement) Ordinance, 2026'' and to direct that the same shall have effect as an Ordinance of the States.

Voting Pour delivers this

Commences the Education Law amendment that underpins school governance devolution; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: Whether they are of the opinion to approve the draft Ordinance entitled "The Education (Governance Boards) Ordinance, 2025" and to direct that the same shall have effect as an Ordinance of the States subject to amendments below: In section 1 - in the section heading for "Constitution" substitute "Purpose and constitution", and after subsection (1), insert – "(1A)The purpose of the governance board of a relevant educational establishment is to – (a)contribute to and promote the ethos and strategic direction of the establishment, (b)hold the headteacher and management to account in respect of safeguarding, educational standards, attendance, staff performance and professional development, (c)hold the headteacher and management to account in respect of the use of financial and other resources by the establishment, and (d)facilitate and promote the giving of effective and appropriate communication from parents, staff, learners and the community to the headteacher and management of the establishment.", (c)in subsection (2)(b) for "four" substitute "five", (d)at the end of subsection (2)(d) insert "and", and at the end of subsection (2)(e) for ", and" substitute ".", (e)delete subsection (2)(f), (f)in subsection (3)(b) for "six" substitute "seven", (g)at the end of subsection (3)(d) insert "and", and at the end of subsection (3)(e) for ", and" substitute ".", and (h)delete subsection (3)(f).". To delete Clause 4(7) and replace with the following Clause: “4 (7)The Director of Education (or a person nominated by the Director of Education for this purpose) may attend one meeting of each governance board each academic year, or more frequently only at the – invitation of that governance board, or the direction of the Committee, where the Committee has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a material failure in governance, safeguarding, financial management, or compliance with applicable law or policy, and has recorded such grounds in writing.

Voting Pour delivers this

Approves the Education (Governance Boards) Ordinance giving schools governance boards, which advances greater school independence.

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Motion put to the States: Whether they are of the opinion to approve the draft Projet de Loi entitled "The Education (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2025", and to authorise the Bailiff to present a most humble petition to His Majesty praying for His Royal Sanction thereto.

Voting Pour delivers this

Education Law amendment that sets up school governance boards and devolves powers, which advances school independence; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: To direct that before any increase in the rate of GST from 3% to 4%, or from 4% to 5% shall take effect, the Policy & Resources Committee shall publish an assurance review from the independent Fiscal Policy Panel affirming that in the Panel's opinion the increase is consistent with the Fiscal Policy Framework and is necessary and appropriate having regard to the island's fiscal, economic and inflationary environment and the impact of economic conditions and the proposed increase on lower- and middle- income households. In the event that the Fiscal Policy Panel's assurance review concludes that the scheduled increase in the rate of GST does not satisfy the requirements herein, the scheduled increase shall not take effect and shall instead be deferred for at least 12 months until the Panel concludes that the requirements have been met. (amended by A55)

Voting Pour delivers this

Requires an independent Fiscal Policy Panel assurance review before any GST rate increase takes effect, which is a safeguard against future rises.

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Motion put to the States: Whether, after consideration of the Policy Letter ''Tax Reform 2026'' dated 8 June 2026, they are of the opinion: 1. To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to implement the package of tax reforms to make Guernsey and Alderney more financially sustainable as set out in sections 9 and 10 with the rates and thresholds as described in Appendix 7, save that, in relation to GST, food produced or grown by small independent suppliers is to be taxed at a rate of 0% and not at 3%, and with the following clarifications, and subject to the following: A) the Policy & Resources Committee, working with the Committee for Employment & Social Security, shall not bring GST into operation unless: i. the associated personal income tax and social security contribution mitigations are in force and operational, and are being applied through the relevant deduction, collection and assessment arrangements, before GST becomes chargeable; ii. the approved GST-related increases in the States Pension, income support and other benefits have taken effect, with payments at the increased rates commencing before GST becomes chargeable; and iii. the Essential Costs Relief Payment arrangements are in force and operational; for the purpose of this Proposition, an intention to apply relief retrospectively, make compensatory payments later or complete the necessary systems after GST has commenced shall not constitute implementation of the Mitigation Measures; b) the Policy & Resources Committee: i. shall defer the commencement of GST where any of the conditions in this Proposition 1(a) cannot be met; ii. shall revise the implementation timetable so that those conditions are met, including any necessary alignment with the commencement of a tax or contribution year; and iii. shall report promptly to the States on the reason for the delay, its financial implications and the revised timetable; c) no authority otherwise given under this item shall permit GST to commence in advance of compliance with those conditions; d) the Policy & Resources Committee and the Committee for Employment & Social Security, before any instrument bringing GST into operation is made or submitted for approval, shall publish a joint implementation assurance report: i. identifying each Mitigation Measure, its commencement date and the date from which its financial effect will be delivered; ii. setting out the evidence that the necessary legislation, staffing, systems, payroll interfaces, assessment arrangements and payment processes are ready to deliver the measures in accordance with this Proposition; and iii. identifying any outstanding implementation risks and explaining how those risks have been addressed, including the arrangements for receiving and determining Essential Costs Relief Payment Claims; e) where compliance depends upon an event occurring after publication of that report, the Committees shall publish confirmation that the event has occurred before GST becomes chargeable, if the conditions cannot be met, the terms under this proposition at 1(b) shall apply notwithstanding any commencement date previously appointed; f) the legislation implementing GST shall give effect to these commencement conditions and shall not confer power to dispense with them by administrative decision; and

Voting Pour delivers this

Main Tax Reform proposition, which includes income tax and social security offsets and the essentials cost relief payment for lower earners, as amended with safeguards.

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Motion put to the States: To direct the preparation of such legislation as may be necessary to give effect to the above decisions, and to direct that such legislation include provision requiring that any resolution to approve legislation that seeks to vary or repeal the legislative protections referred to in paragraph 10.4, and outlined in Resolution 1. 2 of Billet d'Etat No III of 2026 made on the 26th February 2026, shall be deemed to have carried only if not less than two-thirds of the Members present vote in favour. (Amended by A55)

Voting Pour delivers this

Requires legislation entrenching the protections, so that varying or repealing them needs special approval; this is a lock against future increases.

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Motion put to the States: To agree that there should be no increase in the rate of goods and services tax above the rate at which that tax is first introduced, before the assurance review set out in section 12 has been presented to the States, and no increase in the rate thereafter unless both – (a) robust evidence - based upon such being assessed in a similar (or not substantively dissimilar) method than currently presented by P&R - shows that a funding gap exists; and (b) the 1% real terms saving to be incorporated in the public expenditure budgets for 2027, 2028 and 2029, equivalent to annual expenditure reductions of £20m by 2029 as set out in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.14, has been delivered through efficiencies. (inserted by A47)

Voting Pour delivers this

No GST rate increase before an assurance review and robust evidence is a direct safeguard against future increases; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: To insert, immediately after Proposition 3 the following Proposition, and to renumber the subsequent Proposition accordingly: "To agree that there should be no increase in the rate of goods and services tax above the rate at which that tax is first introduced, before the assurance review set out in section 12 has been presented to the States, and no increase in the rate thereafter unless both - (a) robust evidence - based upon such being assessed in a similar (or not substantively dissimilar) method than currently presented by P&R - shows that a funding gap exists; and (b) the 1% real terms saving to be incorporated in the public expenditure budgets for 2027, 2028 and 2029, equivalent to annual expenditure reductions of £20m by 2029 as set out in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.14, has been delivered through efficiencies."

Voting Pour delivers this

Amendment 47 inserts the safeguard that GST cannot rise above its starting rate before the assurance review; voting Pour delivers.

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Motion put to the States: To insert, in Proposition 1 immediately after the words “Appendix 7” the following: “Subject to the following: a) the Policy & Resources Committee, working with the Committee for Employment & Social Security, shall not to bring GST into operation unless: i. the associated personal income tax and social security contribution mitigations are in force and operational, and are being applied through the relevant deduction, collection and assessment arrangements, before GST becomes chargeable; ii. the approved GST-related increases in the States Pension, income support and other benefits have taken effect, with payments at the increased rates commencing before GST becomes chargeable; and iii. the Essential Costs Relief Payment arrangements are in force and operational. for the purposes of this Proposition, an intention to apply relief retrospectively, make compensatory payments later or complete the necessary systems after GST has commenced shall not constitute implementation of the Mitigation Measures. b) the Policy & Resources Committee: i. shall defer the commencement of GST where any of the conditions in this Proposition 1(a) cannot be met; ii. shall revise the implementation timetable so that those conditions are met, including any necessary alignment with the commencement of a tax or contribution year; and iii. shall report promptly to the States on the reason for the delay, its financial implications and the revised timetable. c) no authority otherwise given under this item shall permit GST to commence in advance of compliance with those conditions. d) the Policy & Resources Committee and the Committee for Employment & Social Security, before any instrument bringing GST into operation is made or submitted for approval, shall publish a joint implementation assurance report: i. identifying each Mitigation Measure, its commencement date and the date from which its financial effect will be delivered; ii. setting out the evidence that the necessary legislation, staffing, systems, payroll interfaces, assessment arrangements and payment processes are ready to deliver the measures in accordance with this Proposition; and iii. identifying any outstanding implementation risks and explaining how those risks have been addressed, including the arrangements for receiving and determining Essential Costs Relief Payment claims. e) where compliance depends upon an event occurring after publication of that report, the Committees shall publish confirmation that the event has occurred before GST becomes chargeable. If the conditions cannot be met, the terms under this Proposition at 1(b) shall apply notwithstanding any commencement date previously appointed. f) the legislation implementing GST shall give effect to these commencement conditions and shall not confer power to dispense with them by administrative decision.”.

Voting Pour delivers this

GST cannot be brought into operation unless the associated income tax and social security offsets are in place, which protects low and middle earners.

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Motion put to the States: 1. To substitute in Proposition 1 the word “and” for the full stop and to insert, immediately after Proposition 1, the following additional Proposition: “1A To agree, notwithstanding Proposition 1, the following: i. to implement the package of tax reforms to make Guernsey and Alderney more financially sustainable as set out in sections 9 and 10 with the rates and thresholds as described in Appendix 7 in the first year of implementation SUBJECT TO the rates and thresholds progressing as follows: with effect from 24 months following the implementation of changes to Income Tax and Social Security contributions and the introduction of a GST: o Social Security contributions allowance: £12,600 (provisional*); o Higher rate of Income Tax threshold: £30,500 (provisional*); o Pre-emptive increase in pensions and other benefits: 0.6%; o Essentials Costs Relief Payment: set to reflect the estimated impact of a 4% GST on a basket of essential goods as described in Billet d’État No III of 2026; o GST: 4%; and, with effect from 48 months following the implementation of changes to Income Tax and Social Security contributions and the introduction of a GST: o Social Security contributions allowance: £13,000 (provisional*); o Higher rate of Income Tax threshold: £33,000 (provisional); o Pre-emptive increase in pensions and other benefits: 0.6%; o Essential Costs Relief Payment: set to reflect the estimated impact of a 5% GST on a basket of essential goods as described in Billet d’État No III of 2026; o GST: 5%. *monetary thresholds to be adjusted for inflation prior to implementation ii. with the Committee for Employment & Social Security to recommend to the States of Deliberation annually uprating: o the personal Income Tax allowance; o the Social Security contributions allowance; o the Higher Rate of Income Tax threshold; o the Essentials Cost Relief Payment; and o the rates of the States Pension, Income Support and any other impacted benefits by a minimum of RPIX to ensure that the real value after inflation of the protection incorporated in the package of reform is maintained.”. iii. to include within the Fiscal Policy Framework a fiscal rule that GST shall not exceed 5%. 2. To delete Proposition 3 and replace it with: “To direct that before any increase in the rate of GST from 3% to 4%, or from 4% to 5% shall take effect, the Policy & Resources Committee shall publish an assurance review from the independent Fiscal Policy Panel affirming that in the Panel’s opinion the increase is consistent with the Fiscal Policy Framework and is necessary and appropriate having regard to the island’s fiscal, economic and inflationary environment and the impact of economic conditions and the proposed increase on lower- and middle income households. In the event that the Fiscal Policy Panel’s assurance review concludes that the scheduled increase in the rate of GST does not satisfy the requirements herein, the scheduled increase shall not take effect and shall instead be deferred for at least 12 months until the Panel concludes that the requirements have been met.”. 3. In Proposition 4, to insert after the words “to give effect to the above decisions” the following: “, and to direct that such legislation include provision requiring that any resolution to approve legislation that seeks to vary or repeal the legislative protections referred to in paragraph 10.4, and outlined in Resolution I. 2 of Billet d’État No III of 2026 made on the 26th February 2026, shall be deemed to have carried only if not less than two-thirds of the Members present vote in favour.”. 4. To insert an additional Proposition: “To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to take all such steps as are necessary to ensure that the States are provided with the opportunity to consider in the 2028 Budget Report options for an additional lifetime tax allowance (an Additional Earnings Allowance) in respect of otherwise taxable earned income to incentivise younger earners to remain, return or establish in the island.”. 5. To insert an additional Proposition: “To direct the Policy & Resources Committee and the Committee for Housing to take all such steps as are necessary to ensure that the States are provided with the opportunity to consider in the 2028 Budget Report options to introduce a tax-free Guernsey Property Savings Account (GPSA) to incentivise and better enable saving by first-time buyers for the purposes of buying a home in Guernsey or Alderney.”. 6. To insert an additional Proposition: “To direct the inclusion within the scope of longer-term work (envisaged in Appendix 3 of the Tax Review Sub-committee’s report) an examination of the role of Social Security contributions in Guernsey’s revenue base.”. 7. To replace the additional proposition to be inserted by Amendment 24 with the following: “To direct the Policy & Resources Committee, in consultation with the Committee for Employment & Social Security, as part of the Government Work Plan Super Priority ‘Shape and Strengthen the Focus on Early Years and Families,’ to consider the re-introduction of child tax allowances or credits, alternative tax or Social Security measures, and existing measures including, but not limited to, Family Allowance, charge of child and dependent relative tax provisions, reporting as soon as practical to the States of Deliberation with recommendations which should include costed, targeted measures that most effectively support families with the costs of raising children.”.

Voting Pour delivers this

Amendment 55 adopts the tax package with conditions and safeguards on rates and thresholds, which bears on the protections promised.

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Motion put to the States: 3. To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to give detailed consideration to the requirement for a two-thirds parliamentary majority to approve any future increase in the rate of GST, and present this for consideration by the States in the second quarter of 2026.

Voting Pour delivers this

Directs consideration of a two-thirds majority needed for any future GST rate rise, which is a safeguard against future increases.

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Motion put to the States: To insert an additional proposition as follows: “To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to publish a report on the progress of the Major Projects Portfolio, including relevant information and metrics on each project’s performance against plan and budget, in a format that is publicly available and easily accessible, no later than 1st July 2026, with updates provided at least every six months thereafter; and to note the Chief Executive shall report on major workstreams underway in the public service as part of an annual Chief Executive’s report.”.

Voting Pour delivers this

Requires P&R to publish Major Projects Portfolio progress against plan and budget, which improves management and oversight of large capital projects.

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Motion put to the States: To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to publish a report on the progress of the Major Projects Portfolio, including relevant information and metrics on each project’s performance against plan and budget, in a format that is publicly available and easily accessible, no later than 1st July 2026, with updates provided at least every six months thereafter; and to note the Chief Executive shall report on major workstreams underway in the public service as part of an annual Chief Executive’s report.

Voting Pour delivers this

Requires P&R to publish Major Projects Portfolio performance reports, which improves large-project management and transparency.

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Motion put to the States: To agree that: a) the expenditure reductions assumed within the financial modelling supporting this Policy Letter shall be supported by a published Savings and Service Optimisation Programme; b) the Programme shall identify, for each financial year to 2029: i. each individual savings or service optimisation initiative; ii. the Committee responsible for delivery; iii. the expected annual financial benefit; iv. the implementation timetable; v. delivery milestones; vi. the principal delivery risks; and vii. whether the saving is cashable, recurring or non-recurring; c) the Policy & Resources Committee shall report to the States half-yearly on progress against the Programme, including any variance between projected and realised savings and any replacement measures proposed where savings are not achieved; and d) the 2030 Assurance Review (or such other method in the event the 2030 Assurance Review is not approved) shall include an independent assessment of the extent to which the assumed expenditure reductions have been delivered and whether they have proved sustainable. (inserted by A13)

Voting Pour delivers this

Requires a published Savings and Service Optimisation Programme that identifies each initiative, which advances public sector savings.

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Motion put to the States: 1. To insert a new Proposition: "To agree that: a) the expenditure reductions assumed within the financial modelling supporting this Policy Letter shall be supported by a published Savings and Service Optimisation Programme; b) the Programme shall identify, for each financial year to 2029: i. each individual savings or service optimisation initiative; ii. the Committee responsible for delivery; iii. the expected annual financial benefit; iv. the implementation timetable; v. delivery milestones; vi. the principal delivery risks; and vii. whether the saving is cashable, recurring or non-recurring; c. the Policy & Resources Committee shall report to the States half-yearly on progress against the Programme, including any variance between projected and realised savings and any replacement measures proposed where savings are not achieved; and d. the 2030 Assurance Review (or such other method in the event the 2030 Assurance Review is not approved) shall include an independent assessment of the extent to which the assumed expenditure reductions have been delivered and whether they have proved sustainable."

Voting Pour delivers this

Amendment requiring a published Savings and Service Optimisation Programme, which advances efficiencies and savings.

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Motion put to the States: To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to incorporate into the Funding and Investment Plan, in consultation with all Committees, a structured public service efficiency programme that targets a 1% real-terms annual reduction in baseline public expenditure for the years 2027,2028, and 2029 (with 2026 as the baseline year).

Voting Pour delivers this

Creates a structured public service efficiency programme targeting a 1% annual real-terms reduction, which advances continual efficiencies and savings.

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Motion put to the States: To direct the Policy & Resources Committee, working with Principal Committees, to establish a programme for zero-based budgeting, under which material areas of States’ expenditure are reviewed from first principles rather than by reference to historical baselines; and to require that the scope, methodology (including reporting) and initial findings of this programme be included by no later than in the mid-term Government Work Plan report, with the outcomes of such reviews used to inform Committee Work Plans, future budget proposals, and major policy decisions during the remainder of the term.”

Voting Pour delivers this

Sets up zero-based budgeting reviews of material States spending, which advances savings and efficiency.

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Motion put to the States: To insert an additional proposition as follows: “6.To direct the Policy & Resources Committee, working with Principal Committees, to establish a programme for zero-based budgeting, under which material areas of States’ expenditure are reviewed from first principles rather than by reference to historical baselines; and to require that the scope, methodology (including reporting) and initial findings of this programme be included by no later than in the mid-term Government Work Plan report, with the outcomes of such reviews used to inform Committee Work Plans, future budget proposals, and major policy decisions during the remainder of the term.”

Voting Pour delivers this

Sets up zero-based budgeting reviews of material States spending, which advances savings and efficiency.

Official voting record →

Motion put to the States: 1. To insert an additional proposition as follows: “ To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to incorporate into the Funding and Investment Plan, in consultation with all Committees, a structured public service efficiency programme that targets a 1% real-terms annual reduction in baseline public expenditure for the years 2027,2028, and 2029 (with 2026 as the baseline year).”

Voting Pour delivers this

Creates a structured public service efficiency programme targeting a 1% annual real-terms reduction, which advances continual efficiencies and savings.

Official voting record →