The Channel Islands have never been subject to the British Parliament and have always been self-governing units under the direct rule of the Crown acting through the Privy Council. According to constitutional custom, the Crown does not interfere in Island politics, save when some vital constitutional change is necessary, and never in local affairs.  Bureaucracy barely exists in the Channel Islands and least of all in Alderney.  In this respect the political position of Alderney is unique in the British Commonwealth.

Constitution - The Island of Alderney

Alderney is a self-governing, democratic territory and one of the principal islands of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The island is outside the EC and is also a British off-shore finance centre to the larger islands.

The United Kingdom looks after the Channel Islands in the fields of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Islands' association with the European Union (EU).

The States of Alderney (the Legislature) consists of a President and ten States Members, all unpaid.

The President chairs the monthly States Meetings and stands for election every four years. Following the decision of Jon Kay-Mouat, Alderney’s longest serving President, to retire from office in January 2002, Sir Norman Browse was elected President of the States on 19 January 2002 to serve until December 2004. At the Presidential Elections 2004 Sir Norman was unopposed and re-instated for a further 4-year term ending December 2008.

States Members hold office for a period of four years and in alternate years there is an "Ordinary" election at which five of the sitting members may offer themselves for re- election. Thus, continuity at all levels is maintained and represents a stable, experienced parliamentary body.

Routine matters of Government are performed by three Committees, Policy & Finance, General Services and Building & Development Control, which deal with all aspects of the Island's finances and day-to-day administration.

In addition, two States of Alderney Representatives are full members of the Guernsey States of Deliberation and take part in the Government of the Bailiwick with full voting rights.

States of Alderney 2007

Seated left to right:

Liz Bennett, Bill Walden, Barbara Benfield, Richard Willmott, Richard Cox,

(In background: States of Alderney Treasurer Kerry Hatcher-Gaudion, Chief Executive of the States of Alderney David Jeremiah, Arthur Mignot)

The President of the States of Alderney Sir Norman Browse, Barry Pengilley, Lin Maurice, Chris Main, Colin Williams and Ian Tugby.

Centre - left to right: Helen Williams (Secretary to the President of the States) Sarah Kelly (Greffier)

For this month's Billet d'Etat and Alderney Gazette or Public Notices Click on the relevant section.

The currency is Sterling. The States of Alderney also issues a range of its own commemorative coins. Click Here for more information on its coins.

For more information on the Alderney Legal System Click Here.

For information about States Members and their responsibilities Click here

Alderney States Committees

The day-to-day government of the Island is carried out by three main Committees, the Policy & Finance Committee, the General Services Committee and the Building and Development Control Committee.

Each Committee works under a specific mandate of the States and has a separate budget.

As Alderney comes under the Bailiwick of Guernsey for purposes of taxation, the States of Guernsey are responsible to ensure that sufficient resources are available to the Island in order to ensure that the appropriate levels of public services are maintained.

The mandate of the Policy & Finance Committee is to guide the States on strategy, policy issues and the financial and manpower resources.

The mandate of the General Services Committee is to ensure that the required public services are provided through the relevant Services Department.

A small Civil Service team supports the elected members and is responsible for the administration of legal matters, the Island's Treasury and overall public affairs.

STATES OF ALDERNEY

President:  Sir Norman Browse

Vice President:  Colin Williams

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP - 2007

 To contact the States Office, write to:
The States of Alderney PO Box 1, Alderney, Channel Islands GY9 3AA
e-mail: states@alderney.net - Tel: +44(0)1481 822811 - Fax +44(0)1481 822436