As the focus on State spending sharpens, with Guernsey and Jersey experiencing an unprecedented period of financial uncertainty, the management team from Lloyds TSB Offshore Corporate Banking has organised a pioneering event to discuss approaches to tackling the fiscal deficit across the Channel Islands.

Lloyds TSB is hosting consecutive Working Breakfast Events in Guernsey on 18th May and Jersey on the 19th. Guest speakers at both of the events, entitled ‘Working Together' will be Deputy Lyndon Trott, Guernsey Chief Minister and Senator Philip Ozouf, Jersey Minister for Treasury and Resources.

The breakfast events will be held at the Old Government House Hotel in Guernsey and The Royal Yacht Hotel in Jersey. The guest speakers will discuss their stance on dealing with Channel Island finances and how the Islands could work together in a spirit of greater co-operation.

"Lloyds TSB has hosted a variety of Working Breakfast Events in the past which have always been very well supported," said Simon Prescott, Head of Lloyds TSB Offshore Corporate Banking. "Our endeavour is to bring interesting speakers into our Islands from all walks of life. However the subject matter of this particular event, together with the support of Senator Ozouf and Deputy Lyndon Trott, promises to be of even more interest to our local communities and we anticipate considerable take up for this event. I am also delighted that Jess Dunsdon Channel Television Reporter and Presenter and Peter Ferbrache from Ozannes have agreed to be the facilitators for these events."

Deputy Trott and Senator Ozouf will dedicate a few minutes to outlining their current fiscal policies before entering into a wider debate on shared fiscal practice. There will also be a Question and Answer session allowing attendees, ranging from members of the public to business leaders and politicians, to pose their own questions and become a part of the discussions.

"In my view collaboration between the States of Guernsey and Jersey has never been stronger and I am delighted to be sharing a platform with Philip, a Jersey politician with whom it gives me great satisfaction to report that I and many others within Guernsey's government have an excellent working relationship," said Guernsey Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott.

Senator Philip Ozouf, Jersey Minister for Treasury and Resources said, "Jersey has put in place a comprehensive spending review to control public spending and construct a flexible, efficient public sector that provides value for money for the taxpayer. When this work is done we will consider what tax increases may be necessary to invest in maintaining the high quality services that islanders expect. A forward-thinking organisation must be ready to look at itself, to change and to reinvent.

"We have been working with our colleagues in Guernsey to ensure we do not miss any opportunity for efficiency savings. Some of my colleagues and staff from Health, Housing and Social Security have already held meetings with their counterparts across the water, and I am determined to build on that in the coming years. There is a real need to do more than just talk about joint Channel Island co-operation. We must take action now to deal with the projected deficit and successfully manage our future."

Posted Friday May 14^th 2010
By The Onlines