Some members of Chief Pleas have welcomed the decision by Guernsey to lend Sark money to try and buy its electricity station and infrastructure.
The States of Guernsey agreed to lend the smaller island £1.5m earlier this week – with Chief Pleas planning to use the money to buy Sark Electricity Limited, so the island’s power supply can be put in to community ownership.
The owner of SEL has said he does not want to sell though, and a battle over compulsory purchase could now follow.
Chief Pleas also have to agree to the terms of the loan, which will see Sark commit to sharing a review of its tax systems with Guernsey, agree to join a Bailiwick Commission, and agree to repay the loan within 20 years.
Express understands that some members of Chief Pleas still hold reservations over the terms of the loan, and the plans to try and force through the purchase of SEL, despite a Motion of No Confidence in the island’s Policy and Finance Committee failing.
There is definitely strong support for the plans to create Sark Community Power though, starting with the purchase of SEL.
Conseiller Mike Locke, who sits on the Future Energy Committee, was pleased that Guernsey agreed to lend Sark the money to get started.
“It’s very good news and I was struck by the positive sentiments expressed by Deputies towards their sister island.
“Now the next stage of hard work can start on the journey to a safe, reliable and fit-for-the-future electricity supply for Sark and owned by Sark.”
He added that those supportive members of Chief Pleas have seen the vote in Guernsey as “a great vote of support” and that it is “very much appreciated here”.
Conseiller Carol Cragoe told Express that “it was a great result” too.
Now Guernsey has approved the loan, Chief Pleas also has to debate and vote on it.
P&F and the Future Energy Committee plan to “meet shortly” to arrange a date for that debate to happen at an Extraordinary Meeting of Chief Pleas.
A Sark government spokesperson said this date will be announced as soon as possible.
Conseiller John Guille, Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, said: “We need to deliver the changes that the people of Sark want. A safe and secure community owned electricity system is a key part of this.”