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.
WQ.100/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY M.R. SCOTT OF ST. BRELADE
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 6th MARCH 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th MARCH 2023
Question
“Will the Chief Minister advise what specific laws, policy changes, and public employee contract changes, if any, she will be seeking to implement during her term of office to improve transparency and accountability across Government in furtherance of the priority identified within her 2023-26 Ministerial Plan?”
Answer
My 2023-26 Ministerial Plan contains several measures that will, when implemented, improve transparency and accountability across Government. These include the introduction of the Jersey Public Services Ombudsperson (JPSO) which will increase transparency in the Government and across public authorities by investigating and resolving complaints made by Islanders, including whistle-blowers. The JPSO would have wide-ranging powers to enable it to carry out investigations effectively, including powers to commence investigations on its own initiative. All investigation reports will be published.
Proposed amendments to the Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law 2018 would strengthen the accountability and independence of Statistics Jersey. These amendments will enhance the protection available to key Government statistics, improving transparency surrounding their prioritisation and production.
Following a public consultation, which concluded in February, the Government will soon be publishing a new Policy Engagement Framework. As set out in my initial proposals in a report to the Assembly (r.145- 2022.pdf (gov.je)), the implementation of the Framework will ensure that the views of Islanders, particularly those from parts of the community that are harder to reach, will be included in key Government decision making processes. This represents just part of an overall package of actions that the Government is taking to increase the availability of information to Islanders, which was set out in the Engagement and Information Improvement Report (r.163-2022.pdf (gov.je)).
Regarding employment contracts, the States Employment Board has introduced a new Code of Practice on Standards in Public Service. All public service employees are required to comply with the Code which states, amongst other requirements, that States employees must take accountability for their own conduct, behaviours, and work.