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States Greffe: Committee and Panels Section
Senator John Le Fondré Chief Minister
By email: jlf@gov.je
18th May 2021
Dear Chief Minister,
Arrangements in relation to the role of Minister for Children and Education
I am writing on behalf of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel in respect of the current situation regarding the overall responsibility for the Children and Education Portfolio, specifically in relation to the accountability to scrutiny.
The Panel understands that you have assumed responsibility at this time for the Ministerial portfolio, with delegated responsibility to the Assistant Ministers for the day to day running of the Department and services. The Panel has recently agreed that, given your overall responsibility within this area, it is important that you attend scrutiny hearings in order to account for the work of the remit. Whilst we understand that the Assistant Ministers have been delegated responsibility, we would remind you that they ultimately do not have any mandate from the States Assembly in order to carry out this role and therefore cannot be held effectively to account by the Assembly and its Panels and Committees.
In the absence of any further information as to whether a full time Minister will be appointed or not (bearing in mind the importance of this position), the Panel would hold firm in its view that, as ultimate responsibility rests with you, we would expect you to attend when requested by the Panel.
I trust this articulates the Panel's position clearly, and I look forward to engaging with you further in relation to the Children and Education remit.
Yours sincerely,
Deputy R. Ward
Chair, Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Scrutiny Office | States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je
Website: statesassembly.gov.je/scrutiny