Wednesday 09 April 2025
General Update
As we head towards the end of this political term, I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the final update to the Assembly on the activities of the Committee for Home Affairs.
Some commentators have remarked that the amount of policy initiatives and legislation driven through the States this term by the Committee has been exceptional.
There have been a number of themes that have occupied the Committee's agenda this term including tackling financial crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence, managing the consequences of Brexit and the delivery of business as usual services that keep our community safe.
We have not taken our foot off the pedal, and in recent weeks we have lodged Policy Letters in relation to; Nationality and Borders Act, together with P&R Approved Ports and Noisy Vehicles, together with E&I, demonstrating our commitment to work strategically with other States Committees in order to tackle issues that impact locally and nationally.
Sir, therefore, may I pay tribute to my excellent Committee, including our non-voting States Member and indeed the great support we have received from the whole Assembly.
Following their recent retirements, I must formally put on record the Committee's thanks to the Chief Fire Officer, Jon Le Page and Head of Law Enforcement Ruari Hardy for their years of dedicated service to the Island community. I welcome the new incumbents, Les Britzman and Damian Kitchen respectively, the experience that they bring will be an asset to the services they represent and to the Bailiwick.
In the last four years there has been a significant focus on activity aimed at combatting complex financial crime and meeting the Bailiwick's obligations to comply with International Standards.
This has involved numerous Policy Letters providing direction for the development of a significant programme of legislative reform. This has improved the Bailiwick's statutory response to tackling financial crime and improve the jurisdiction's ability to recover the proceeds of unlawful conduct using enhanced civil remedies.
The Bailiwick Strategic Coordinating Forum, which I chaired as President and was supported by P&R, Home Affairs, ED members, officers from across committees and the authorities responsible, have ensured preparedness for the MoneyVal evaluation and the Bailiwick's compliance with the FATF recommendations.
The final MONEYVAL evaluation report was received at the beginning of February 2025. The Committee was delighted to be able to report that the Bailiwick achieved a highly successful outcome from the MONEYVAL evaluation. Securing a positive outcome was a major priority for the Committee, such is its importance to the continued prosperity of the Island's financial services sector.
The EFCB and the FIU has been strengthened and placed on a statutory footing and the Financial Crime Centre established at Marie Randall House paid for from Seized Assets and not the tax payer.
The Bailiwick obtained sufficient ratings for the Immediate Outcomes categories by which its effectiveness in the area of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), as well as combating the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Bailiwick is one of the few jurisdictions to pass all 40 recommendations around technical compliance.
This secures the Bailiwick's position as one of the best, compliant, secure and safe jurisdictions in the world for financial services.
I again pay tribute to all those involved for their skills, often working long hours and going the extra mile.
A delivery framework and governance structure has been developed and implemented, policies and strategies have been strengthened with the publication of a National Strategy and National Risk Assessment.
We have achieved much but cannot relax. It will be essential that government continues to demonstrate its commitment to global initiatives aimed at preventing and eliminating economic and financial crime.
At the beginning of this political term the Committee's agenda was monopolised by items brought about by the UK government's decision to exit the EU. The withdrawal from the EU was not the end of a process, rather it marked the beginning of a complete reset of our relationship with jurisdictions across the world.
Necessary amendments have been made to customs legislation and policies to fulfil the obligations of the Customs Union and Free Trade Arrangements (FTA's). Recent amendments include the Methods of Valuation (Import Duty) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, and the Customs (Rules of Origin: Claim Verification and Determination, and Record Keeping) Regulations, 2024.
All of this has been necessary to deliver Government's ambition to be part of the Customs Union, the Common Travel Area and not only to enter, but also fulfil Free Trade Agreements.
The Committee considers cyber security a priority, investment in cyber and telecoms security is critical to ensure that Guernsey continues to be a stable, secure and attractive place to live and do business.
Recent activity has focused on the creation of a Guernsey Cyber Security Centre, which will improve our Bailiwick cyber resilience, provide parity with the other Crown Dependencies and support the wider delivery of government initiatives by ensuring data security. It is anticipated that the Centre will formally commence activity next term.
Young people today are growing up online and it is essential that government provides the tools to help them navigate the content that is at their fingertips. Law Enforcement's Digital Safety Development Officer works closely with the neighbourhood policing team, across committees and the third sector to create and deliver learning experiences, tools and resources to increase awareness and empower people of all ages to gain an understanding of online safety and security.
The Committee considers it essential that delivery of its criminal justice policy mandate is underpinned by fit for purpose legislation and has brought upgrading proposals to the Assembly this term.
We remain committed to progressing a comprehensive review of the police complaints regime. This work will involve public consultation and will inform changes to the way complaints about police conduct, direction and control of the force and service delivery are handled. A refreshed complaints regime is essential if the public are to have confidence in the process and the Police in general.
The new Police Chief has already embarked upon an initiative of consultation through a public survey and has commenced a programme of events aimed at understanding the views of islanders, which the Committee fully supports.
At the beginning of this term the Committee identified tackling domestic abuse and establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Centre amongst its priorities. The first step was broadening the Domestic Abuse Strategy to include Sexual Violence, raising awareness of this social problem with the objective of reducing instances of domestic abuse and sexual violence by providing a coordinated community response in the Bailiwick.
New Domestic Abuse and sexual violence offences legislation has been amongst the Committee's most significant achievements this term and I am hopeful that the Assembly will consider the second tranche of legislative proposals later this week.
Working with third sector partners, Safer, Victim Support & Witness Service and Safety Net, the Committee has been able to support an open conversation about these issues with affect so many in our community. Providing a voice for victims and survivors, ensuring that they can access support when they need it, and that the criminal justice system is equipped to bring offenders to justice.
Over the past year, Willow House - SARC has continued to grow and strengthen its services to better support individuals affected by sexual assault across the island. Our new Service Manager, has now been in post for six months, has brought great momentum to the role, with a key focus on raising public awareness of the service.
So far in 2025, Willow House has received approximately 60 calls to our helpline. They have carried out four forensic medical examinations and created a safe space for eight children to be seen following incidents of sexual assault. In addition, we have referred 12 clients to the ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) service, which is currently supporting 56 open clients.
Delivery of the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy should continue to be prioritised. In addition to the implementation of the statutory provisions set out in the new Domestic Abuse legislation, there should be a sustained focus to continue on working to improve refuge provision and establishing the SARC as a permanent service, moving away from its current pilot status.
Critical to discharging the Committee's mandated responsibilities and operational services is its workforce, with pay accounting for more than 90% of its budget.
This term the Committee has consistently prioritised the delivery of sustainable services that can respond to changing societal pressures and meet community expectations through the prioritisation of resources, demonstrated through a commitment to review the Target Operating models of Police and Fire and Rescue and the merger of Population Management and Immigration.
The Committee for Home Affairs has made notable and tangible progress in advancing priorities this term. This has been possible by taking a collaborative approach, working across-committees and with the third sector, supported by dedicated professionals with the objective of improving outcomes for the community and keeping our Bailiwick community safe. I must end by thanking all our third sector partners for their invaluable contributions, hard work, expertise and advice.
I welcome questions.