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STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE CHIEF MINISTER ON TUESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2016
Independent Jersey Care Inquiry Budget
I would like to inform Members of a change in the budget for the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
In accordance with the Inquiry's Memorandum of Understanding and Directions, Francis Oldham QC wrote to the Treasurer and Greffier of the States on the 3rd February, notifying them of exceptional circumstances which affect the ability of the Inquiry to conclude within the previously agreed budget of £13.7 million.
The letter identified 5 unavoidable matters that were likely to increase costs by £1.587 million and were necessary in order to meet the Inquiry's terms of reference.
These include:
• 25 witnesses, who are mainly victims of alleged abuse, and who now wish to give their evidence to the Inquiry;
• matters of concern that have arisen during meetings with stakeholders and which require further investigation;
• the need to enable a small number of witnesses to respond to criticism prior to concluding the Inquiry;
• significant document disclosure in November and early December 2015, and;
• additional preparation time by Counsel to the Inquiry for final oral submissions in relation to the extensive material received to date.
The Inquiry Panel still intends to be able to present the final report to this Assembly by the end of December 2016. The Council of Ministers agreed on the 10th February 2016 to allocate the remaining contingency to the Inquiry for the reasons stated.
These unavoidable matters have knock-on associated costs for States Departments in potential legal costs. This means the total spending forecast for the Inquiry will use the full budget and contingency totalling £23 million set by this Assembly on the 25th March 2015.
The Treasurer of the States wrote to the Panel on the 12th February 2016 to set out how this would be achieved.
The Panel replied on the 18th February 2016, confirming that all the additional work required fell within the terms of reference of the Inquiry, that forward spending forecasts will now be provided on a monthly basis to the Treasurer, and that reasonable account has been taken of all known risks to cost control.
I will provide copies of these letters to Members today. All costs incurred by the Inquiry and Departments will continue to be published each month on the government website.