More committees’ travel costs revealed

Deputy Chris Le Tissier has asked for all committees to reveal travel costs for the last four years.

Home Affairs has travelled the most so far, with three trips in 2022.

In April president Rob Prow attended a meeting at the National Cyber Security Centre on a day trip with one officer. Their two return flights to London Gatwick cost £225.98 each, and two train tickets were £41.30 each.

In July Deputy Sue Aldwell visited the Jersey Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Refuge.

The day return flights for Deputy Aldwell were £136.98, with the trip funded through the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy. In addition, the strategy covered the cost of four operational attendees, with their flights costing £547.92.

Taxis for the party totalled £43.46, and additional expenses for the day amounted to £84.

In October Deputy Prow attended a meeting at the Home Office in London, supported by an officer. Deputy Prow was already in the UK, so the cost of flights were not met by the States.

An overnight stay at the Premier Inn, London Victoria cost £234.75.

Officer flights for the day trip cost £215.98. Train tickets cost £52.40. Expenses for the trip amounted to £24.10.

States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee has confirmed president Carl Meerveld flew to Jersey for three days in March last year to interview the candidates for the role of pan-island commissioner for standards. One officer accompanied him.

They stayed for two nights at the four-star Pomme D’Or Hotel. The trip cost was £419.46.

States’ Trading Supervisory Board also had just one off-island trip.

President Peter Roffey flew to Alderney in October 2022 for an Alderney Airport Runway Project drop-in with four officers. His travel for the day trip was £160.15, while the officers’ travel cost £640.60.

Ironically the Guernsey Overseas Aid & Development Commission has made no taxpayer-funded trips in the last four years.

While commissioners do visit projects, they pay for their own travel costs.

Education, Sport & Culture also had no travel over the four-year period.

ESS has already confirmed its vice-president Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez went to Alderney in March 2022, with two members of staff, costing £822 for travel and accommodation.