“Several important topics were raised at last week’s well attended AGM of the Alderney Chamber of Commerce. Prime focus was aimed at the critical need for reliability and resilience from Aurigny since they entered into a wet lease agreement with Skybus from the Isles of Scilly to provide two Twin Otters and crew.
Other subjects included the deep concern of the possible introduction of a form of GST which Alderney considers would have more of a negative impact that on Guernsey where our cost of living is already well in excess of Guernsey’s while the average wage is less. It was commented it should be beneficial in the first instance to look internally to see what is actually owing to the Guernsey Income Tax Authority.
The meeting discussed the economic need for the introduction of a duty- free service at the airport along with the introduction of both Avgas and Jet Fuel. These were not new topics, but no conclusion had yet been resolved.
The critical need to keep younger people on the island again drew much attention. Chamber confirmed that it had been working with the Alderney States to rectify a basic problem whereby banks were unable to lend against leasehold properties – and it is flats (therefore leasehold) that are at the lower end of the property market.
Andrew Eggleston was re-elected President for his 21st consecutive year. He also stressed the importance of our States Members to work as one for the overall good of the island and not to unleash Codes of Conduct as though they were confetti. “This is not helping the governance of our island. As with any group, political or not, it can take just one member to destabilise the workings of all.” ENDS
