WATCH: Goodbye 'States'... Hello 'Government'

Thursday 07 February 2019

It's official: the 'States of Jersey' is no more... Instead, it's being replaced with 'Government of Jersey'.

The Council of Ministers adopted the change today as the new "identity" for the island, both locally and overseas.

They argue that the move clarifies the legal status of the island's government and its roles and responsibilities, as well as improving transparency and the ability to hold different branches of the government to account.

Video: Chief Minister John Le Fondré explains the change.

The States of Jersey was previously composed of a Committee-led government, the Assembly of politicians, and the government's administrative departments - together, they were the 'States of Jersey'.

But 2005 saw an overhaul of the system, introducing Ministers, and separating the Executive and administrative departments from the Legislature (the States Assembly).

In 2014, the 'Government of Jersey' identity was adopted when liaising with overseas officials, and appeared on Ministerial business cards. The London office also used the branding.

As revealed through an Express Freedom of Information (FOI) request made in September 2017, this new 'Government of Jersey' branding was created by a local firm called The Potting Shed in 2014 at a cost of £5,110. Business cards and a lectern carrying the new logo purchased between 2014 and 2017 cost £5,589.52 in total.

Pictured: The Council of Ministers adopted the change to make the distinction clearer between the States Assembly and the administrative arm of the government.

But today it's been announced - in a statement on 'Government of Jersey'-headed paper - that will be the identity that the whole government take on, with the Jerriais 'Gouvèrnément d'Jèrri' an alternative. The States Assembly will continue under the same name.

It comes with a new red logo featuring Jersey flag, and follows the recent 'One Gov' rebrand under new States Chief Executive Charlie Parker.

Chief Minister John Le Fondré commented: “This change provides greater clarity about what the different bodies within the States of Jersey are and what they do.

"The Government of Jersey refers to Ministers and administrative departments, providing a clear distinction between their identity and that of the States Assembly.”

Pictured: Many government buildings now carry 'One Gov' branding.

A States spokesperson said that government departments would implement the change to their identity in the "coming weeks and months", but that letters from Customer and Local Services - such as those relating to Income Support - "will take some time, as they have so many on their system".

Despite the change, government workers' official employer will still be known as 'The States Employment Board'.

Officials said in their original statement that all design-work relating to the decision to roll-out the branding across the government was done in-house and at no extra expense to the taxpayer, adding that signage will only be replaced "when necessary".

Asked to clarify this by Express, given the Potting Shed's input in 2014, a spokesperson said that that no more money had been spent on brand design since 2014.

They explained that the design-work they said was being carried out "at no cost" and "in-house" referred to updating their social media profiles, the gov.je website and changing letter templates.