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Deputy David Johnson
Chair
Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel By email
Dear Deputy Johnson
Review of decision-making process to demerge CICRA
Thank you for your letter dated 29th January 2021 regarding the review of the decision-making process to demerge CICRA.
During the bi-annual Ministerial Partnership Meeting with the JCRA, which took place on Friday 15th January 2021, the Chair and the interim Chief Executive of the JCRA provided an update on the reconstitution of the Authority as an insular body.
I was informed that the Authority has successfully achieved its "Transition and Reconstitution Plan" on time and within budget. Two new Board members have been appointed as non-executive directors, adding additional expertise to the Board. In addition, a recruitment exercise for a permanent Chief Executive is currently ongoing. A number of new members of staff have also been recruited since the CICRA demerger, which fulfils the planned structure and ensures the Authority is well set up for 2021.
The Authority has published its annual Business Plan in December 2020. The plan shows that the Authority has thought carefully about States objectives and that there is a clear link to the Common Strategic Policy and Government Plan. It is encouraging to see that the Authority is making progress on a market studies programme. The commitment to work with other consumer groups and regulators is also welcome and supports the recommendation made by Oxera about the coordination of activities with other consumer facing organisations.
https://www.jcra.je/media/598297/jcra-business-plan-2021.pdf
On 14th January 2021, prior to the Partnership Meeting, the JCRA Chair wrote to the Department's Acting Director General to provide the Board's high-level comments in relation to the draft Memorandum of Understanding and Funding Agreement (previously the "SLA"). A rework of both documents is currently ongoing, and officers are working with the JCRA in a constructive manner with a view to concluding the Memorandum of Understanding and Funding Agreement in Q1 of this year.
Updated versions of both the Memorandum of Understanding and Funding Agreement will be shared with the Panel as soon as possible.
I trust this letter provides sufficient information as to where matters currently stand with the reconstitution of the JCRA as an insular body.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely
Senator Lyndon Farnham
Deputy Chief Minister | Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture +44 (0)1534 440628 l.farnham@gov.je