Ministers past and present to review how Jersey is run

Monday 29 March 2021

A former Chief Minister and two ex-Ministers have banded together to review the effectiveness of Jersey's system of Government.

Led by former Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois, the ‘Democratic Accountability and Governance Sub-Committee’ will look at all aspects of the way Jersey is governed, from the role of the Council of Ministers and Scrutiny to how politicians interact with the civil service, and make recommendations for improvement.

It includes External Relations Minister Ian Gorst, Assistant Chief Minister Richard Buchanan, former Housing Minister Sam Mézec, and Assistant Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel.

It will explore:

• the roles of the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and the States Employment Board and how they may be held to account by the public and the Assembly;
• the relationship between ministerial and civil service structures in relation to policy development, implementation and operational management, particularly in relation to the the development of the OneGov project and how this affects accountability to the public and the Assembly;
• the role of Scrutiny and the Public Accounts Committee in holding the executive to account;
• whether the current ministerial and Scrutiny portfolios set out in Standing Orders remain appropriate or whether there is an alternative structure or system for electing Members to ministerial office or Scrutiny, which would enhance accountability and effectiveness;
• and opportunities for States Members to be engaged in the process of Government.

However, the review will not explore whether the island should drop ministerial government in favour of an alternative system, but it will consider how aspects of the former committee system could be incorporated within the current set-up.  

Pictured: The review will look at the effects of the 'OneGov' restructuring of Government.

Sub-committee Chair Senator Vallois said: “The island’s system of government has been a topic of conversation for many years. The move from the committee arrangement into ministerial government in 2005 was a major change for the Island’s political system. 

“We want to explore the lines of accountability of government to the public and the Assembly in order to raise any issues that might need addressing so that improvements can be made.”