Comment: Is Jersey ready for change?

Monday 12 March 2018

In the biggest shake-up to hit the States in living memory, the new States CEO has outlined plans to create seven brand new departments, with a view to ultimately bringing them all into a single building.

Charlie Parker’s suggestion of creating ‘One Government’ is a bold move – and one that seems to have paid off in the eyes of the business community.

Express columnist Andy Jehan, a Chamber of Commerce Committee Chair, explains why he’s ready to embrace this new way of thinking...

“Last week, we got to hear from Charlie Parker for a second time – this time it was the IoD and, whilst not repeating himself, he confirmed much of what he had said at the Chamber lunch the week before.
 

Pictured: States Chief Executive Charlie Parker, who last week outlined his proposed massive overhaul of the States.

“I was very pleased to hear him start by saying that it was up to Government to set the policy and for his team to deliver it – something I thought that was missing from his earlier speech. 

“What made this event different was the fact that he was joined on the panel by our current Chief Minister.

“Senator Gorst appears to have ‘got it’ – he spoke several times about the choice of continuing with the old way or changing to "a better way." He also said that, in his view, the biggest risk to Jersey was actually no change. 

Pictured: Andy Jehan endorses Senator Gorst's view that the island must change.

“What is clear is that things have to change if the island is going to deliver the services that are needed for the future for both young and old alike. 

“Henry Ford, amongst others, once said: “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always gotten.”

“The point is: we need to do things differently. Chris Clarke, the host and Chairman of the IoD, suggested that change "should be made by this Government and not allowed to be kicked into the long grass."

Interesting call from the #Bailiff yesterday asking @StatesAssembly to consider volume of work on the very same day @JerseyDiplo lodged this https://t.co/6nwMuqs6fG More evidence if needed to split the dual role #Conflicted

— Andy Jehan (@AndyJehan) March 7, 2018

“Whilst accepting that change is needed, Deputy John Le Fondré predictably suggested that it shouldn't be rushed and that Senator Sir Philip Bailhache’s comments on a proposed change to how Ministerial government works were worth considering.

“I have read the amendment and it appears to be once again a "spoiler" that only gives reasons why we shouldn't change, rather than offering enhancements to the proposal. Delaying change is not an option in my view. Anyone thinking that it is should listen carefully to the words of both the Children’s Commissioner, Deborah McMillan, and the new CEO. 

“We have let generations down by doing things as we have, wasting many millions of pounds when it could have been much better spent where there is real need. We need to get the process started and build momentum, not delay and continue to waste money. 

Pictured: Senator Sir Philip Bailhache expressed concerns over a proposed overhaul of Ministerial government.

“Improvements have to be made and have to be made sooner rather than later. There has to be "a better way", and I for one sincerely hope that our Government grasps the nettle this term and sets the new Policy for Mr Parker and his team and then support the change that is so needed.

“The alternative is for the public to demonstrate that they want to move away from "how it's always been done" (slowly and costly) to doing things differently, and on May 16 demonstrate through the ballot box that they do want "a better way”.” 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not those of the Bailiwick Express.

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