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2024.04.30
3.8 Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of the Chief Minister regarding an update on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work (OQ.77/2024)
Will the Chief Minister provide an update on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strand of work and advise how this will be progressed?
Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter (The Chief Minister):
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work programme continues to be an important area of focus. Deputy Alves , as an Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, has recently been delegated as a political lead for this work and will take up the task of raising the equality and diversity agenda, including addressing such issues as the gender pay gap. This change has been made with the agreement of the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs. Deputy Alves will be reviewing the work programme of the previous Government and progressing accordingly. Just to reiterate, this Government is committed to pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion for the benefit of both the community and our own employees. Thanks to the work of a number of dedicated officers we have completed a draft of the D.E.I. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) strategy for Government, which is currently being reviewed before publication.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
I thank the Chief Minister for his answer and I am delighted to see that Deputy Alves has been given responsibility for this work and that it will continue. Could the Chief Minister confirm whether the previous action plan that was being progressed by myself and Deputy Jeune under the delegation from the previous Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, whether all the areas in that action plan will be continued, whether any areas will be stopped or changed?
Deputy L.J. Farnham :
I cannot confirm that level of detail but I can confirm that Deputy Alves , I believe, is keen for the continuity of the programme, so I feel confident it will progress as planned.
- Deputy I. Gardiner :
Is the Chief Minister aware the Jersey International Cultural Centre has been created a year-and-a-half ago to support inclusion of the minority communities in Jersey? The work was put on hold in January to review. Can the Chief Minister confirm that he made the decision and the work of the Jersey International Cultural Centre can progress?
Deputy L.J. Farnham :
Yes, I can. We are going to continue to support that work but not with a similar budget to what it had previously. I am mindful that I am due to meet with the Deputy and other interested Members in due course to clarify the position and agree a way forward, so there will be a continuity but not in its previous format.
- Deputy I. Gardiner :
The Chief Minister and myself have had a discussion in February and I thought that we have agreed on the updated budget and updated work. The community in the meantime are wondering why the project that was shortlisted to a Difera event as a government project stopped because currently none of the work that happened is happening.
Deputy L.J. Farnham :
It did stop due to some concern of previous aspects of the I.C.C. (International Culture Centre). Part of the new Government’s …
The Bailiff :
Sorry, that was extremely kind for the musical interlude who … thank you for your contribution to the Greffier’s fund. Please carry on.
Deputy L.J. Farnham :
I do apologise, it is taking a little longer to agree. I apologise for the delay but it is part of our work to reprioritise spending to make sure our spending is going absolutely to where it is needed, so I do undertake to get things back up to speed with that as soon as possible.
- Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson :
I am also pleased to hear that Deputy Alves has been given this responsibility. Can the Chief Minister confirm, does she have resources to support her in progressing this agenda, please?
Deputy L.J. Farnham :
She will do. I had a conversation with Deputy Alves about that very issue yesterday, and officials, to ensure she is properly resourced to do the work.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
Could the Minister keep the Assembly updated on the progress of this work? Deputy L.J. Farnham :
Yes.