Scrutiny seeks transparency on the ferry tender process
Scrutiny
4 November 2024
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel is concerned to hear of the situation facing the Government of Jersey regarding the ongoing process that has been used to negotiate the contract for ferry services for the Channel Islands.In May, the Government of Jersey and the States of Guernsey invited applicants with the necessary experience and capability to submit a tender application to operate a ferry service, carrying passengers and freight, between the Channel Islands, France and the UK.
On Wednesday 30 October, the States of Guernsey announced its preferred operator. The Government of Jersey has yet to announce its decision.
Deputy Montfort Tadier, the Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said: ‘As a Panel, we believe Islanders have a right to expect that timely due process is applied to the current negotiations. It is not for the Panel to offer its opinion as to which company, if any, is best placed to be awarded the contract, but we do believe it is important that the public are able to have confidence in the process and at present, we do not believe that is the case. While the Panel understands the need for confidentiality regarding the bid process, that has made it difficult for the process to be scrutinised by either politicians or the public.’
‘The Panel would strongly encourage the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development to call a special States meeting to consult with all States Members on the preferred way forward and bring some transparency to the process so far. It is also clear to the Panel that whatever the outcome of the tender process, formal retrospective scrutiny is required, and the Panel is ready to play its part as necessary.’
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel has not had any scope to scrutinise the process whilst it has been ongoing, but it has received confidential briefings regarding the timelines and contingencies involved.
