Alderney is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey (comprised of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou and Lihou) within the Channel Islands.
The Bailiwick is a Crown Dependency. It is part of Great Britain but not part of the United Kingdom, and it still has a separate international identity.
Being a Crown Dependency, the King is represented in Alderney by Guernsey's Lieutenant Governor, whom he appoints. The post of Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, and before it, Governor, can trace its origins to Anglo-Norman history.
The Bailiwick is autonomous in its domestic affairs, but the UK government is responsible for our international representation and defence.
Although Alderney is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey it is a self-governing island, with its own legislature and control over many local matters.
While Alderney enjoys full autonomy in law 'The 1948 Agreement', entered into between the Governments of Alderney and of Guernsey after WWII, means that Guernsey has an obligation to fund 'transferred services'. Transferred services include: policing, customs and excise, airport operations, health, education, social services, childcare and adoption.
In return for providing the transferred services Guernsey levies various taxes and duties on Alderney.
Structure of the Government of Alderney
There are no political parties in Alderney. Government is carried out by the States of Alderney (our Parliament) which consists of a President and ten States Members.
The island's Parliament is known as the States of Alderney which is made up of the following:
- A Presiding Officer – the Bailiff (or in his absence the Deputy Bailiff, as Deputy Presiding Officer)
- HM Procureur (non-voting member)
- 10 States Members (5 elected every two years)
We have an island-wide voting system to elect our 10 representatives, called States Members and President:
- States Members are elected to serve a four-year term, with elections held every two years for half the members to ensure continuity.
- The President is elected to serve a four-year term.
The States of Alderney meet monthly and the States Members form 3 Principal Committee Departments and 1 Senior Committee called the Policy & Finance, which oversee different aspects of the island's affairs.
The States of Alderney is structured into one Senior Committee, three Principal Committees and several other Committees, Boards, Authorities and Commissions, all of which oversee different aspects of the island's affairs.
Committees of the States of Alderney
- Policy & Finance Committee
Is responsible for leadership and co-ordination of the work of the States, including developing and promoting the States' overall policy objectives and leading the policy planning process, the allocation and management of resources including the States' budget and facilitating cross-committee policy development. - General Service Committee
Responsible for all matters relating to merchant shipping, wreck and salvage and any inter-island freight and passenger service contracts, sea fisheries, traffic and highways, fire services, ambulance service; the co-ordination of public services in the event of a civil emergency; recreational and sporting activities held on States land, the leasing of all States properties, (other than those that are the responsibility of the Policy & Finance committee), management of all States land, environmental monitoring, the slaughterhouse, liquor licensing; nursing and residential homes, the allocation of States key workers housing, agriculture, animal health and welfare, pest control, veterinary surgery, and other issues in relation to animals and birds; and the railway. -
Building & Development Control Committee
Responsible for planning applications, building control, protected buildings, protected trees, Land Use Plan, conservation and design and planning policy. - Economic Development Committee
Its aim is to secure prosperity through the generation of wealth and the creation of the greatest number and widest range of employment opportunities possible by promoting and developing business, commerce and industry in all sectors of the economy.
Responsible for promotion and development of all sectors of business (e.g. tourism, construction, horticulture, retail, digital, manufacturing, finance), securing and promoting air and sea links, competition and regulation, broadcasting and media, living marine resources (e.g. fishing) and the Visitor Information Centre.
The States of Alderney usually meet monthly to debate legislation, broad policies and priorities, items of significant expenditure, and matters of major public interest. The meetings are held in the Court House and are open to the public.
Alderney Court oversee legal matters and is presided over by The Bailiff.
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