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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY T.M. PITMAN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 30th JUNE 2009
Question
Following on from the Strategic Plan, what sector, if any, in his department's service delivery does the Minister plan to privatise or outsource and how many jobs will this effect; further still, what savings are planned?"
Answer
As stated by the Chief Minister on 16th June 2009, in response to an oral question from Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier , all organisations change and adapt as technological improvements, economic conditions and other innovative opportunities arise. This applies equally to the public sector which must change and adapt, particularly in the current economic conditions. All departments need to keep the provision of their services under constant review, which must include whether there are more commercial ways of working or opportunities for wider private sector involvement. As such opportunities arise Departments will be expected to implement them as a means of improving efficiency and keeping costs down.
In the past the Chief Minister has informed States members of a good example of this in the recent exercise tendering for the improvement and upgrading of the States website in his own department. As a result a consortium of private companies successfully bid for and are now undertaking not only the development but also future provision of web facilities.
Within the Planning and Environment Department, there are no plans within the current budget process (2010 – 1012) to privatise or outsource the main activities of the Department. Work will commence however, on a review of the Jersey Meteorology Department, in line with the recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2007. The review will explore different delivery models for the Met service and the costs associated with States provision, as opposed provision via external agencies. If any savings are to be achieved these will not be delivered until 2013 at the earliest, and it is too soon to indicate if there are any staffing implications.
In addition, work will be undertaken to challenge the extent of existing regulation and to explore whether it is appropriate for further self certification by the private sector, for instance in the field of Building Control or by increasing permitted development rights.
The Department will also be exploring options for improving the cost recovery of certain services through the introduction of higher or additional charges and fees. This will effect a range of services including Building Control and Development Control as detailed in the 2010 States Business Plan which is to be presented to the States for debate later in the year.