The Haut du Mont and L'Ecume tragedies, and Grands Vaux flooding, have highlighted why Jersey needs a dedicated emergency fund to help islanders through disasters, a politician is arguing.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham says the two incidents showed that resilience funds lack "structure and continuity" – and is now asking for States Members to back his push to get the Treasury Minister to establish dedicated financial support.
He is also asking for that support to be covered in the next Government Plan.
Deputy Farnham said: "Whilst the island always pulls together to help those in need, and not withstanding our strong overall financial position and significant cash reserves, when it comes to financial support following unforeseen events and tragedies, we tend to lack structure and continuity."
Pictured: The aim of the fund, Deputy Farnham said in the report, is "to strengthen Jersey's resilience to unforeseen events".
In a report accompanying his proposal, Deputy Farnham cited the Haut du Mont explosion and the L'Ecume wreck in December 2022, and the flooding of Grand Vaux in this January as "unforeseen events" which impacted islanders.
He added that the proposition was deliberately unspecific "to give the Treasury Minister and officials plenty of scope to put the right models in place."
"But we certainly do need to ring-fence funds that we can have quick access to in case of local disaster. We have a strategic reserve and general reserves, and whilst I'm sure we could always find the money as we have done in the past, there are advantages to having something in place."
Benefits of the fund could include a more rapid response to major incidents, support for vulnerable populations, prevention, preparedness, and flexibility, among others.
"Those most adversely impacted are the less well off in our society and we need to be ready to help them in a more timely manner," Deputy Farnham said.
Many of the Grand Vaux residents affected by flooding were left "not only stunned but unsure what help, if any, they could expect," he added.
"When an unforeseen major incident or tragedy happens, the community really aren't sure what help is available, when it's available, and the government often has to be reactive in those circumstances."
"This is an opportunity to put some structure in place, that will provide peace of mind to those who need support after such incidents, knowing there will be something in place that the government can turn to quickly."
He added that this new fund was not meant "to compete" with the Bailiff's fund.
Pictured: the site of the Haut du Mont explosion, which is mentioned in Deputy Farnham's report.
In January, the government also announced it would prioritise the introduction of a new Civil Contingency Law to govern how ministers prepare for and respond to emergencies, replacing the 32-year-old Emergency Powers and Planning Law.
This came after an independent review of Jersey's response to the covid-19 crisis recommended that the legislation should be brought up to date and made fit for purpose.
Deputy Farnham said that he was unsure how many pieces of legislation would "interact" with this proposal.
"There's genuine concern from States Members in the challenges the island has faced recently. I'm sure there's a will amongst States members to put in place the appropriate mechanisms," he said.
The proposition is due for debate in the States Assembly on 18 July.
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