Frequently Asked Questions
In September 2001 the States of Jersey decided to move from a committee system to a ministerial system of government.
Q. Tell me more about the move towards ministerial government.
A. The proposals for a move from the committee system to the ministerial system of government are laid out in The States of Jersey Law. In short, this law enables the move to a new system of government to take place in December 2005, i.e. after the next elections in the autumn of 2005. The main proposals of the reform to the machinery of government are:
- the abolition of the committee system;
- the creation of a Chief Minister of Jersey and a Council of Ministers;
- the creation of not more than ten departments of government, each headed by a minister;
- the establishment of a small number of Scrutiny Panels, and a Public Accounts Committee.
Q. Some of these changes have already been introduced haven’t they?
A. Yes. As indicated above, since the States decided to reform the machinery of Jersey’s government [i] on 28 September 2001, much has been done to prepare the way for the proposed changes. The Policy and Resources committee brought a number of reports and propositions to the States which laid the foundations for the new ministerial system, including:
- the creation of a Privileges and Procedures Committee [ii]
- detailed proposals for a new departmental structure in the ministerial system [iii]
- detailed proposals for the structure of the new Council of Ministers. [iv]
- detailed proposals on the future relationship of the parishes with the executive in the new system of government. This paves the way for all welfare to be paid for by the States. The parishes, in exchange, will take on responsibility for services currently provided by the States, including main road maintenance.[v]
It was also agreed that there would be a transitional period, from December 2002 until the introduction of the ministerial system. In December 2002, the number of States committees was reduced from 25 to 15. [vi]
Other changes included the creation of Scrutiny Panels, a Shadow Public Accounts Committee and the creation and work of the Special Committee on the Composition and Election of the States Assembly. Details on these bodies are all contained below.
Q. What stage are we at now?
A. In November 2004, the States Assembly approved The States of Jersey Law (P124/2004), along with a number of important amendments to the law, referred to in more detail below. The revised and updated States of Jersey law is the key piece of legislation which enables the move to a new system of government to take place after the next elections in the autumn of 2005 and replaces the States of Jersey Law 1966.
Q. Does this draft law include all the government reform changes?
A. No. The States of Jersey law was designed to be as simple and short as possible. The detail will be contained in later subordinate legislation, in particular the new Standing Orders of the States which will be brought before the States in early 2005.
Q. What will the Scrutiny Panels do?
A. In July 2003 the States approved the detailed arrangements for the scrutiny function, as proposed by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which include the establishment of four Scrutiny Panels and a Public Accounts Committee. A trial scrutiny period started in the first quarter of 2004.
The purpose of Shadow Scrutiny is to -
- undertake meaningful reviews to demonstrate the value of scrutiny;
- develop good practice and issue guidelines governing the scrutiny process;
- develop the practical arrangements for a system of scrutiny appropriate for Jersey;
- create opportunities for training both members and officers - in particular developing new skills;
- include a wide range of members in the shadow scrutiny process;
- provide a learning experience for all and develop awareness of the scrutiny function;
- ensure the scrutiny function is appropriately resourced.
Q. What is the purpose of a Public Accounts Committee?
A. The Shadow Public Accounts Committee was established by the States in January 2004. The Committee’s remit is to investigate the value for money achieved by the States and other public bodies. The Committee is made up of four States Members and five independent members. The chairman is Tim Dunningham and the shadow chairman is Deputy Sarah Ferguson.
As well as carrying out reviews of areas of States expenditure, once ministerial government has been introduced the Shadow Public Accounts Committee will make recommendations to the Privileges and Procedures Committee about the formation of a Public Accounts Committee.
Q. How will the Council of Ministers work?
A. The Council of Ministers will be supported by a chief executive who will be the head of the civil service, and heads of departments will form a management board under the leadership of the Chief Executive.
Q. Who has overseen the planning and organisation of all these changes?
A. The Policy and Resources Committee and the Privileges and Procedures Committee have put these changes in place, working with the Finance and Economics Committee and other committees as appropriate. It was agreed that some of the changes would be put in place as soon as possible, and some would naturally follow in time.
Q. What is the Privileges and Procedures Committee?
A. The Privileges and Procedures Committee was established by the States on 26 March 2002 as part of the process of government reform.
Committee:
President Deputy Roy Le Hérissier
Vice president Deputy Jennifer Bridge
Senator Paul Le Claire
Connétable Derek Gray
Deputy Peter Troy
Deputy Celia Scott Warren
Deputy Julian Bernstein
Q. When will the ministerial system be introduced?
A. The actual date for the introduction of the ministerial system is planned to be in December 2005, following the elections in autumn 2005.
Q. Where can I find out more?
A. Try these links:
www.statesassembly.gov.je/frame.asp
Privileges and Procedures Committee
[i] P.122/2001
[ii] Machinery of Government: Establishment of Privileges and Procedures Committee P.23/2002
[iii] Machinery of Government: Departmental Structure and Transitional Arrangements (P.70/2002)
[iv] Machinery of Government: Structure of the Executive (P.191/2002).
[v] Machinery of Government: Relationship between the Parishes and the Executive (P.40/2004)
[vi] Machinery of Government: Departmental Structure and Transitional Arrangements (P.70/2002)
