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Willmott denies States wants to run AEL

Richard Willmott has dismissed claims Alderney States wants to 'micro manage' Alderney Electricity (AEL).

Four AEL directors resigned at the company's AGM earlier this month in protest at a series of resolutions imposed by the States, which owns 76 per cent of the company.

The States' Finance Advisory Group (FAG), which initiated the resolutions, detailed that the board must recruit a new chief executive and technical director within six months. FAG also said AEL must appoint directors annually, rather than allow board members to seek re-election every three years.

Mr Willmott, who also sits on AEL's board as the States representative, said: "The resolutions did not come out of the blue and were the result of some months of dialogue with the company.

"Nevertheless I think it is fair to say they came at the end of a period of somewhat strained relations between the States and the directors.

"With the benefit of hindsight, things may have been done differently but the States makes no apology for wishing to engage in strategic discussions with the company. That is not micro management."

After hearing Mr Willmott's comments at Wednesday evening's States meeting, former AEL director Chris Ireland said: "Politicians tell the people what they think the people want to hear."

Mike Harrisson, John Cadoret and Tony Maxwell also resigned from AEL on June 6. Chairman Dick Haines and Mr Willmott are currently the only AEL board members.

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