The blueprint begins… What we’ve learnt so far as Farnham’s Ministers lay out their plans

The identities of the politicians who will shape Jersey’s government over the next four years became clearer on Monday as the new Council of Ministers began to take shape…

During the opening exchanges of the second sitting of the new States Assembly, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham faced no challenges to the first tranche of his proposed ministerial “cast list”, allowing several of the Island’s most senior portfolios to be filled without a vote.

It comes week after he was the only candidate to head up the Government, a role he has held since January 2024.

Senators Tom Binet (Health), Helen Miles (Home Affairs), Ian Gorst (External Relations), Elaine Millar (Social Security) and Reform Deputy Catherine Curtis (Education) were the first four ministerial nominees to be accepted by the Assembly.

Health, Senator Tom Binet

Senator Binet said nothing could have prepared him for “how bad” a state he found the Health Department in when he took office two-and-a-half years ago, citing “rife” bullying, tensions with GPs and charitable partners and a lack of connectivity.

The situation had improved, he said, describing the progress as bringing the department’s technological infrastructure “out of the Dickensian era and into the 21st century”, but admitted that more needed to be done.

Moving into a new fit-for-purpose hospital on the Overdale site was a key ambition for the next four years by Senator Binet, who said he wanted to focus on two other key sites in the Health estate: the St Saviour’s “village” and the existing Gloucester Street site.

Developing health tourism, attracting private fundraising and consideration of whether a local cancer centre could be established were among the items on which Senator Binet said he wanted to develop. He also expressed hope that recent problems in Neorology would be improved.

Home Affairs, Senator Helen Miles

Poll-topper Senator Miles praised the civil servants and emergency service personnel who came under the Justice and Home Affairs banner – a portfolio for which she was responsible for 18 months following the 2022 election prior to the change of government.

She said her guiding principle remained that “the first duty of any government is to keep its people safe” and said it was the hard work of JHA teams that Jersey had maintained its reputation as one of the safest places in the world.

Questioned by Members, Senator Miles – who topped the Island-wide poll at the election earlier this month – said there were a number of initiatives which she hoped to progress.

These included exploring whether Jersey might introduce its own immigration law, consideration of whether the current “day-trip” arrangements for French visitors might be extended to 48-hour stays, and working to stop the recent travel problems experienced by Islanders with settled status.

External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst

Meanwhile, Senator Gorst struck a similarly steady tone as he began another term leading Jersey’s international relations, warning that “the international outlook looks more complex and uncertain than ever”.

“In uncertain times, maintaining Jersey’s international reputation as a stable, outward-looking and tolerant island is of critical importance,” he said.

He argued that Jersey’s economic success depended on maintaining strong relationships overseas and protecting its reputation for stability.

“The world in which we operate has turned on its head,” he said. “I am absolutely determined that we will not fall behind.”

Among his priorities are negotiating further bilateral tax and investment agreements, strengthening relationships with the UK, France and European partners, and implementing proposals to improve Jersey’s international competitiveness.

Following the groundbreaking Time to Win review, he said he had asked Jersey Finance, the Jersey Financial Services Commission and government officials to bring forward proposals based on five priorities: renewing Jersey’s appetite for growth, reducing regulatory costs and complexity, leading in tokenisation, embracing digitalisation and investing in infrastructure and skills.

Senator Gorst also said Jersey’s relationship with the UK was “as strong as it’s ever been” and pledged to build fresh relationships following the appointment of a new Prime Minister in Westminster.

Social Security, Senator Elaine Millar

Senator Millar, returning to the ministerial brief at Social Security that she held from July 2022 before switching to Treasury in January 2024, said her priorities included reviewing the pensions system.

She said she believed it was unfair that some Islanders with full contribution records needed to carry on having social security deductions taken from her earnings and pledged to address the matter.

The arrangement whereby her department was responsible for primary care and GP funding while secondary care came under health “doesn’t make sense”, Senator Millar stated – she said she would hope to initiate a move for both areas to come under the Health umbrella.

Senator Millar also said she wanted to review how Social Security contributions are calculated for entrepreneurs, arguing the current system can disadvantage new businesses because contributions are based on earnings from two years earlier.

She said she wanted to ensure the system “does not restrict innovation and economic growth by limiting new business”.

Education, Deputy Catherine Curtis (Reform Jersey)

Deputy Catherine Curtis, who was appointed unopposed as Education Minister, said she intended to build on her four years chairing the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, where she led reviews into secondary education funding, online harms and lifelong learning.

She identified improving support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as one of her immediate priorities, calling for faster assessments and an acceleration of plans to expand Mont à l’Abbé School. “Every child deserves an education that is appropriate to their age, ability and aptitude,” she said.

Deputy Curtis also pledged to examine student finance and practical barriers faced by Jersey students studying in the UK, while following through on recommendations to expand vocational training and lifelong learning. Arguing that skills would become increasingly important as artificial intelligence transforms the labour market, she said: “It’s imperative Jersey does not hold back on investing in skills.”

On the controversial proposal for a new primary school at Gas Place, she stressed that she would review the latest pupil forecasts but maintained that “all previous research shows that the new school on the Gas Place site is likely to be the best option”.

More to follow…

The remaining ministerial positions were scheduled to be filled throughout Monday’s business – and on Tuesday morning if necessary – in the following order: Children and Families, Environment, Housing, Infrastructure, International Development, Economic Development and Treasury.

Once the Council of Ministers is formed, elections will take place for chairs of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, Public Accounts Committee and five Scrutiny panels, followed by the Planning Committee.