Savings frustration prompts David Dorrity to resign from Employment & Social Security
- Deputy David Dorrity has resigned from the Committee for Employment & Social Security, citing frustration over lack of progress on savings
- Deputy Dorrity established the ESS Savings Working Group earlier this year to identify opportunities to reduce expenditure
- He says members have faced an uphill battle with a lack of willingness to make difficult decisions necessary for long-term sustainability
- Committee President Deputy Tina Bury expressed disappointment and thanked Deputy Dorrity for his contribution, particularly his pensions expertise
- Deputy Bury says the savings working group has identified around 30 potential actions but emphasises the need for thorough consideration of consequences
Deputy David Dorrity has resigned from the Committee for Employment & Social Security, citing frustration over a perceived lack of focus on delivering meaningful savings.
Deputy Dorrity submitted his resignation to the Bailiff on 29 April, stepping down from the committee tasked with balancing public finances while supporting Guernsey residents who require assistance.
In a statement, Deputy Dorrity said: "It is with some regret that I announce my decision to resign from the Committee for Employment and Social Security."
He explained that he joined the committee aware of the challenges involved in balancing fiscal responsibility with meeting genuine community needs. However, he became increasingly frustrated by what he described as insufficient progress on identifying and implementing savings.
"Since joining, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of focus to identify and deliver meaningful savings. In an effort to address this, I wrote to the Committee earlier in the year to express these concerns. I then worked to establish the ESS Savings Working Group, tasked with reviewing all outgoings and identifying practical opportunities to reduce expenditure," Deputy Dorrity said.
The working group, which Deputy Dorrity helped establish, was created specifically to examine the committee's expenditure and find ways to reduce costs.
Deputy Dorrity said: "I have come to feel that members of the ESS Savings Working Group have been fighting an uphill battle, with a lack of willingness to make the difficult decisions which I believe are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the support that the States is able to provide through the Committee."
He added: "I have taken the difficult decision to step away from the Committee and sincerely hope that my replacement is able to have greater success in influencing decisions on spending while supporting the important work of the Committee in a sustainable way."
Deputy Tina Bury, Employment & Social Security President, expressed disappointment at Deputy Dorrity's departure.
"I am disappointed, and a little surprised, that David has decided to resign from the Committee. He has made a valuable contribution so far this term, especially with his expertise in pensions, which I'd like to thank him for," Deputy Bury said.
She acknowledged the challenging nature of the committee's work, which requires balancing support for vulnerable residents with overall financial responsibility.
Deputy Bury said: "The work of ESS, which involves balancing support for the lowest earners and most vulnerable in our community and being financially responsible overall, is no mean feat and, at times, very challenging. This is the difficult task of a Deputy: how to deliver the services our community wants and needs, versus the overall financial picture."
Deputy Bury defended the committee's commitment to savings work.
"All of our Committee members are committed to the savings work the States is undertaking, which is why the ESS savings working group has recently begun its work in earnest. It has already identified around 30 actions that could be pursued. This work must be thorough though. We must understand the savings that could potentially be made but also carefully consider the consequences of any changes, and that will take some time," she said.
The resignation leaves a vacancy Employment & Social Security, which will need to be filled by a replacement deputy.
Q&A
Q: Why did Deputy David Dorrity resign from the Committee for Employment & Social Security?
A: Deputy Dorrity resigned citing increasing frustration over a lack of focus on identifying and delivering meaningful savings. He said members of the ESS Savings Working Group, which he helped establish, have been fighting an uphill battle with a lack of willingness to make difficult decisions necessary for long-term sustainability.
Q: What work has the ESS Savings Working Group accomplished?
A: According to Committee President Deputy Tina Bury, the ESS savings working group has recently begun its work in earnest and has already identified around 30 actions that could potentially be pursued. However, she emphasised that the work must be thorough and that understanding potential savings whilst carefully considering consequences will take time.
Q: How did the Committee President respond to the resignation?
A: Deputy Tina Bury said she was disappointed and a little surprised by Deputy Dorrity's decision. She thanked him for his valuable contribution, especially his expertise in pensions, and acknowledged the challenging nature of balancing support for vulnerable residents with financial responsibility. She emphasised that all committee members remain committed to the savings work.
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