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4.8 Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour of the Chief Minister regarding the consideration of improvements to the machinery of government: [1(558)]
Further to the adoption of P.53/2016, as amended, will the Chief Minister explain what improvements to the machinery of government have been considered, what changes are envisaged, what those changes will entail, and when they will be lodged for debate, and if not, why not?
Senator I.J. Gorst (The Chief Minister):
Outlined proposals were developed earlier this year but the Privileges and Procedures and the Chairmen’s Committees did not favour the changes suggested. Since then, of course the Care Inquiry has highlighted the failure to tackle the silo mentality among public sector agencies. The earlier review of ministerial responsibility in relation to the Jersey Innovation Fund also recommended streamlining the way we transfer responsibilities between Ministers and departments. Revised proposals are now under development and I expect the necessary amendments to legislation will be lodged before the end of this year.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
Therefore, will the Chief Minister confirm that in the proposals he will be bringing forward that he will be looking to do away with the Troy Rule?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
That is not included in the current proposals that we are considering.
- Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
Could the Chief Minister confirm or undertake that any proposals will be presented to both P.P.C. and the Chairmen’s Committee before they are lodged?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
Yes, I think that is an undertaking that I have previously given, and I think that diary dates may already be slotted; they are in the process of being slotted.
- Deputy J.A. Martin:
Just to follow on from that because P.53 was mine amended by the Chief Minister about Assistant Ministers. As he says, the proposals brought to P.P.C. and the Chairmen’s were not favoured and a lot of work I think was done on that. Can the Chief Minister not this time around consult with all States Members at a briefing first to see if he is even in the right direction of travel? Because it was an easy proposition and the Chief Minister seems to have made it very, very complicated.
Senator I.J. Gorst :
I do not think in its basic principle electing Assistant Ministers was easy but the amendment that I put to the Deputy ’s proposal was to do a more strategic review about inclusivity and about how government operates. I have no issue at all with having a wider briefing to States Members on this issue prior to lodging any legislation.
Deputy J.M. Maçon:
I thank the Chief Minister for his response for the proposal.