Five things I would change in Jersey.......

Friday 25 November 2016

Paul De La Haye, owner of Philosophy Hair Salon, is the latest to take part in our weekly series, chronicling what Islanders would do to make significant changes to the Island.

Mr De La Haye speaks to many Jersey folk every week in his job as owner of his own hair salon, and his choices make interesting reading......

He said: "If I were God to the Island of Jersey I'd make five major changes, starting with.....The Fort Regent fiasco. Basically I would lift the covenants giving the States control over Fort Regent. Let's be frank, it is an eyesore and what need to be done is for either a major development company, or an entrepreneur, to come in and get something done. They should be give a 40-year lease and told to develop it - and no, not a casino. Jersey doesn't need or want one. The States have owned it since the early 80s and it is now a shell of what it used to be. They should move aside and let private industry get on with it. Back in 1997 a Spanish company showed ambitious plans for Fort Regent which included sky lifts, trains etc etc, but they were turned down. They owned several big attractions in Spain and they should have been welcomed. Change has to happen, Fort Regent is an embarrassment, which is such a shame as it holds an iconic location in Jersey.

"Drugs seizures at the airport and harbour - anyone caught should be sent straight back to where they left and the drugs destroyed. Until they leave the airport or harbour they have still not officially entered Jersey and they should not be allowed to do so to clog up the judicial process and the prison.

"I would tear up the Condor Ferries contract straight away and get someone else in who can do the job better.

"I would also make people with multiple homes pay capital gains tax on all of them. People should not pay tax on their main or principal home, but after that, if they have three, four or five homes they should pay CGT on all of them.

"Finally, I would alter the tax threshold for children which is currently £3,000 in Jersey, the same as the UK mainland. It should be £5,000 which would give hard-pressed parents just a little bit more money when they need it the most. Having children is very expensive and this gesture would definitely help because Jersey is more expensive to live in than almost anywhere in the UK mainland, therefore the tax threshold should reflect that."