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WQ.96/2024
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY H.L. JEUNE OF ST. JOHN, ST. LAWRENCE AND TRINITY
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 25th MARCH 2024
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON WEDNESDAY 3rd April 2024
Question
“Further to my question asked during questions without notice on 19th March 2024, in respect of the new hospital project, will the Minister –
- detail the accountability framework for the project;
- clarify which accountable officer is responsible for the build;
- advise the current reporting structure for the new project team and whether this is likely to change at any stage; and
- explain how political oversight is managed between Ministers?”
Answer
- As the Minister for Health and Social Services, I am responsible for making day-to-day decisions about the programme, and for regularly consulting with other Ministers with portfolio interest in the programme, such as the Chief Minister, the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Treasury and Resources. I also meet regularly with the three Independent Advisors appointed to the programme to gather additional perspective and challenge to delivery plans and arrangements.
At key points in the programme, decisions are escalated to the Council of Ministers such as approval of business cases to deliver programme phases, or inclusion of associated funding in future Government Plans.
Decisions on funding and financing will be referred to the States Assembly as part of the Government Plan cycle. It is the intention to include funding for the delivery of Phase 1 of the programme (and to continue plans and designs for future phases) in the proposed Government Plan 2025-2028.
I will also provide detailed, regular progress briefings to Scrutiny and States Assembly Members throughout the programme lifetime, including sessions on programme governance where requested.
- The Accountable Officer for the programme is the Chief Officer for Health and Community Services.
- The programme team reports to the Programme Director, who in turn reports to the Programme Board. The Programme Board consists of the Chief Officer for Health and Community Services and the Chief Officer for Infrastructure and Environment. In line with the Public Finances Manual, the Accountable Officer acts as the Sponsoring Senior Responsible Officer, and the Chief Officer of Infrastructure and Environment acts as the Supplying Senior Responsible Officer.
The Accountable Officer is accountable to the Chief Executive as Principal Accountable Officer for high standards of probity in the management of public funds, and to the myself for successful delivery of the programme. In line with the Public Finances Manual, the appointment of Accountable Officer and Senior Responsible Officers will last for the whole lifetime of the programme, unless the Principal Accountable Officer decides otherwise.
- I am politically responsible for the delivery of the programme and am ultimately accountable to the Chief Minister and the States Assembly.