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States Greffe: Scrutiny
Senator Lyndon Farnham Deputy Chief Minister
By Email
2nd July 2021
Dear Deputy Chief Minister,
Funding proposals for the Our Hospital Project: Timetable
The Panel is writing to voice its concerns in relation to the timetable set by the Government in relation to forthcoming proposition on the funding for the Our Hospital Project.
While the Panel is grateful for the receipt of draft documentation in relation to the Outline Business Case, which will allow a Scrutiny review to be started using this draft on this hugely important stage of the project, it is not satisfactory that the proposition to be approved by the States Assembly on the funding for the hospital project may not be available to Members until 3 August 2021 with the debate currently proposed for the sitting on 14 September.
The Panel appreciates that this is in accordance with the minimum six-week period for lodging in Standing Orders and is equally aware of the need for rigorous governance on your part ahead of lodging. We are also encouraged by your assurance (provided in response to an Oral Question on 29th June) that you will seek to lodge the proposition as soon as possible.
However, a lodging date of 3rd August means that the Panel – and any States Members wishing to conduct their own research and interviews – will be attempting to do so during the summer recess when access to Ministers and Officers for Public Hearings and Briefings will, necessarily, be limited by periods of leave.
Given the scale of this project, the level of public interest and the need for comprehensive Scrutiny of the use of public money, the Review Panel strongly urge you to either ensure that the funding proposal is lodged by 19 July 2021 at the latest or, if this is not possible, that the debate is held in the October sitting to ensure that there is sufficient time and access to all those who would be called to give evidence.
The Panel has previously been assured that the Outline Business Case which has been provided to date (on a confidential basis) contains the majority of the detail needed to begin a robust review.
If that is the case, please can you explain what additional work needs to be done to bring the proposition forward and, if it is substantial, we should note this will again have an impact on the time needed by States Members and Scrutiny to properly examine the £804 million budget for this project and to ensure the proposed funding measures are proportionate and for the long term good of the Island.
States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je
We look forward to hearing from you and would appreciate a response by no later than Thursday 8th July 2021.
Yours sincerely
Senator Kristina Moore
Chair
Future Hospital Review Panel
States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je