Government’s “silo mentality without a clear leadership structure” is “very concerning”, according to a panel of top scrutineers.

The Common Strategic Policy Review Panel, made up of the chairs of each individual scrutiny panel, has this week been questioning the Council of Ministers about the impact of the proposed Government Budget on the 13 priorities set out in the Common Strategic Policy.

Following the five hearings, the panel said it was left with the impression that individual Government departments are continuing to work in silos, undermining the effectiveness of funding decisions and risking long-term sustainability.

In a small island and Government like Jersey, there are no excuses for not ensuring we have a holistic and joined-up approach to setting budgets and agreeing priorities

Deputy Inna Gardiner

Panel chair Deputy Inna Gardiner said: “This silo mentality without a clear leadership structure is very concerning.

“In a small island and Government like Jersey, there are no excuses for not ensuring we have a holistic and joined-up approach to setting budgets and agreeing priorities.”

She said her panel was “concerned” about the balance between delivering short-term priorities is being matched with long-term funding.

Deputy Gardiner explained: “While reducing the amount we put into the Social Security Fund was supported by all Ministers in the short term, we are concerned about how the initiatives, such as free nursery funding and health, will be financed in the long term if income is not able to cover this cost; and the resulting problem with how public expectations will be managed.”

She added that her panel shared the concerns of the Economic Development Minister that not investing in the economy creates a risk in maintaining services in health, education and social security in the future.

“We have to invest in our economy and remove the red tape to allow businesses and Jersey to thrive,” said Deputy Gardiner.

“We will be putting all these concerns to the Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury and Resources in our public hearings with them on 6 November.”