As support for a public inquiry into the future of the island grows, a statement from the Chief Pleas’ Policy and Performance and Finance and Resources committees outlined positive developments being made in Sark.
However, a number of local businesses and organisations, including Sark Electricity and the island’s Chamber of Commerce, have backed a call for a Royal Commission-style inquiry that has been proposed by a group of 22 prominent Channel Islanders.
Sark First, which is behind a campaign to change Sark’s electoral system, is also supporting the demand.
Last week the group of 22 wrote to the governments of Jersey, Guernsey and the UK, calling on them to intervene to help ‘save’ Sark, which they say is suffering serious economic and fiscal problems.
However, in a joint statement, the two committees said that the outlook was not bleak and added:
‘There is no budget deficit and the government holds a reasonable level of reserves, and there will be no overall increase in taxation for the coming year – and a reduction for some islanders.
‘Sark’s government is engaging with all businesses on the island.
‘Tourism visitor numbers are up on the last two years.
‘Isle of Sark Shipping, fully owned by the island, is under new management and is expected to be debt-free next year and is currently trading in profit.’
The joint committee statement said that education in Sark was provided in a modern, well-equipped building.
‘The school takes up 16 per cent of the government’s budget, providing a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:9, it said.
‘The island employs a full-time doctor providing 24-hour, seven-day cover with no waiting times.
‘The surgery provides pharmacy facilities with subsidised prescription charges.
‘There is a service for home care. Eleven per cent of government income is spent on caring and supporting those in need.’
Meanwhile, in a statement the island’s sole electricity provider, Sark Electricity, claimed that divisions had poisoned the community by creating an atmosphere of distrust and confrontation.
The company said it was costing it heavily financially, which had to be passed on to its customers, the island residents.
‘Because of this, we are publicly supporting this initiative for a committee of inquiry,’ it said.
‘Sark has not been able to resolve these problems on its own, so we believe the generous offer of help should be enthusiastically embraced.’
Sark First said it applauded the proposal for an inquiry – which those behind the call say could be paid for by the jurisdictions involved – and would give any input or assistance required.
And Sark Chamber of Commerce president Alan Jackson said he was disappointed that it had reached this point but it was simply the reality of the situation.
Over recent months he said it had become clear that outside intervention was necessary.
‘We all have to come together as a community and if it requires external encouragement that is the way we will have to go,’ he said.
- The most famous of all the Seigneurs of Sark was Dame Sibyl Mary Hathaway, whose 47-year tenure spanned the reigns of George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II. Dame Sybil reinforced her feudal rights and was affectionately known as the last bastion of feudalism. But her greatest legacy was establishing Sark as a tourist destination with a worldwide reputation
- Helier de Carteret, the First Seigneur of Sark, is the ten-times-great-grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales. Princess Beatrix and Princess Eugenie are also descended from de Carteret through their mothers family
- The de Carteret family were well established as one of the most important land owners on Normandys Cotentin peninsular by the year 1,000, moving to Jersey in the late 11th century, when work began on their ancestral home, St Ouens Manor, in 1204. It remains in family ownership, having been passed down through the generations. A branch of the family were Seigneurs of Trinity, living at Trinity Manor from the 17th to the 19th centuries
- Of all the old Jersey families, it is the de Carterets that have made the greatest contribution to Jerseys history and Island life, providing many Bailiffs and leading
- The Royalist cause during the English Civil War
