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Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Chief Minister
2nd July 2018
Dear Chief Minister,
Policy Development Boards
Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to say how much I am looking forward to engaging with you on Scrutiny matters in our respective roles during this new Assembly. There are some notable matters ahead that will benefit from what I am sure will be a constructive approach on both our parts, such as a revised legislative scrutiny process and the impact of the implementation of P1/2018.
Another such matter is the creation of Policy Development Boards. During your opening speech in the election process for the role of Chief Minister on 4th June, you proposed their formation by saying:
I want to re-engage both with this Assembly and the public and for part of this I want to create policy development boards involving front line providers, users and politicians. As policy develops dialogue must continue to flow between them to ensure that politicians have got it right. I am clear, this must involve Back-Benchers as well as Executive Members but we must ensure we do not breach either the Troy Rule or damage Scrutiny.
As Scrutiny Panels and Committees have since set about the process of forming what are already significant work programmes, along with re-establishing three major cross-cutting Review Panels (Care of Children, Brexit and Future Hospital) a number of questions have emerged about the intended role of the boards and their compatibility with a busy Scrutiny function.
I welcome the positive intention behind the boards, and I know from your speech above and published correspondence that you sent to the Chief Minister in the previous term as President of the Chairmen's Committee, that you appreciate the delicate balance that would need be struck to ensure that Scrutiny would not be compromised in any way.
It would certainly be of help to us, and I would hope to you too, if you could share more detail about your plans with us so that we can better understand the envisaged role, responsibilities and status they would have in order that we can offer constructive feedback. To that end, any relevant papers that you have would be most welcome, and/or indeed a briefing from you or your officials.
Yours sincerely,
Senator Kristina Moore President, Chairmen's Committee
States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je