This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
STATES OF JERSEY
GOVERNANCE OF THE STATES OF JERSEY POLICE (FOLLOW-UP) (R.59/2022): EXECUTIVE RESPONSE (R.59/2022 RES.) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 9th November 2022 by the Public Accounts Committee
STATES GREFFE
2022 R.59 Res.
Com.
FOREWORD
In accordance with paragraphs 115-116 of the Code of Practice for engagement between Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee' and the Executive', (as derived from Standing Orders of the States Assembly) the Public Accounts Committee (the Committee') presents its comments on the Executive Response to the Comptroller and Auditor General's (C&AG) Report entitled: Governance of the States of Jersey Police (R.59/2022 presented to the States on 27th April 2022).
Comments
- A substantial part of the Public Accounts Committee's (the Committee's) role, as set out in the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey, is to assess the use of public funds and whether sound financial practices have been applied. This includes understanding whether good governance and best practices have been applied in planning, implementing and administrating projects undertaken by the Government of Jersey.
- The C&AG published her report on 27th April 2022 and the Committee received and presented the Executive Response to the report on 15th August 2022. The follow-up review evaluated the implementation of the recommendations agreed following the 2018 C&AG Governance of the States of Jersey Police (SoJP) review, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the governance arrangements for the SoJP.
- The follow-up review found that the enhanced role of the Jersey Police Authority (JPA) to monitor and oversee the SoJP, and promote continuous improvement was in its early stages, and that there is a good working relationship between the JPA and the SoJP. However, the follow-up review also found that the JPA has not had the capacity and ability to develop plans, set targets, analyse budgets, and hold the SoJP to account, and that it requires additional support to discharge its functions more effectively regarding police budgets and expenditure.
Purpose of PAC's Comments
- The C&AG made 13 findings and 20 recommendations in its follow-up review of the Governance of the States of Jersey Police. The Committee notes that, of its 20 recommendations, 17 had been accepted' and three partially accepted'. The Committee has considered the rationale provided by the Government through the Executive Response and has concluded that no further action is required on the specific areas outlined below, at this time.
3
C&AG Recommendation 3 | Executive Response | Target Date | Responsible Officer |
Ensure the approved Annual Policing Plan is submitted to the States Assembly as required by the Law. | Partially Accept. This was completed in April 2022. The JPA is required to submit to the Minister. Not the Assembly. | Completed | Executive Officer, JPA |
C&AG Recommendation 4 | Executive Response |
|
|
Undertake a formal review to evaluate whether the role of the Police Authority could be extended to cover other services where operational independence is important. | Partially accept. The JHA Director General and the C&AG are both of the view that this should be accepted as a recommendation, but that it would be reasonable to give it a long target date, due to the fact that (a) the JPA needs time to mature to a point where it could take on other services, and (b) the Services need time to mature their positions, and have other priorities at the moment (FRS and JCIS being the Services in scope), however we will need to have regard to the White Paper on FRS which was published recently in the UK and continue to have a watching brief on that and consider how it may affect this recommendation. | End 2024 | Directors General, Justice and Home Affairs |
C&AG Recommendation 16 | Executive Response |
|
|
Ensure that the planned review of the Police Terms and Conditions of Service is undertaken in 2022. | Partially accept. This is being included in the Uniformed Services review, which includes Fire & Rescue, JCIS, Prison, Ambulance and Police. The review was on hold but has been restarted, steering group meetings set, and engagement with Unions/ Associations is now underway. It is likely to conclude later than the end of 2022, and therefore this recommendation is only partially accepted. | Mid 2023 | Directors General, JHA; Group Director for People and Corporate Services |
R.59/2022 Res. Com.
C&AG Recommendation 20 | Executive Response |
|
|
Incorporate targets and resources aligned to the four- year Government Plan in the Four- Year Policing Plan. | Accept. Agreed and in place. | Completed | Executive Officer, JPA; Chief of Police |
Further Action Required: The Committee notes that the JPA requires time to implement the recommendations made by the C&AG, and requests that the JPA keeps the C&AG and the Committee informed of any changes affecting the progress of the C&AG's recommendations.
Conclusion
- In summary, the Committee believes that no further action is required at this time and will seek further evidence to ensure that the accepted recommendations are implemented and that improved practices are embedded. It also expects to see evidence that all (accepted, partly or partially, accepted) recommendations have been added to the Recommendations Tracker so that their progress towards implementation can be tracked closely.
Deputy L. Feltham
Chair, Public Accounts Committee