Letter - CEHA to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs re Quarterly Hearing follow up - 27 August 2024

States Greffe

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs BY EMAIL

27th August 2024 Dear Minister,

Follow-up matters from the Public Hearing on 22nd August 2024

Thank you for attending the quarterly public hearing last week, together with your Officers, your time is much appreciated. During the hearing the Panel was advised that further information could be provided about:

• the number of incidents of violence recorded so far this year for frontline staff in each Justice and Home Affairs service line (e.g. Customs and Immigration, States of Jersey Ambulance Service, States of Jersey Fire Service, etc) and the States of Jersey Police;

• breakdown of the 82 staff in the States of Jersey Ambulance Service, including the respective job title / grade of the roles and, also, the number of vacancies in the service (and what role / grade those are);

• With regards to the new Civil Contingencies and Resilience Law, details about the tranche of medium and low risk changes.

We would therefore be grateful if a further update could be provided to the Panel in this regard. Briefings were also offered to the Panel about:

• the plans for the Fire and Ambulance Headquarters; and

• the Jersey Emergency Risk Register.

I would be grateful if arrangements could be made via our Officers to secure future diary dates.

The Panel was also unable to complete its full list of questions during the time allocated for the hearing and you agreed that we could send these to you in writing. Please see below the remaining questions from the Panel:

1. From a Justice and Home Affairs perspective what are the key lessons learnt from critical incidents of recent years (such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Haut du Mont incident, the Grand Vaux flooding, the October '23 gas outage, and Storm Ciarán)?
2. The Panel recently had the opportunity to visit Jersey Field Squadron and heard about the role that they can play in providing crisis resilience support. Minister, are you content with the machinery and equipment that is available on Island (through Jersey Field Squadron and Emergency Services) to support any response to major incidents?
3. What long-term strategies are being considered to ensure the financial sustainability of the Police Force, while meeting the Island's policing needs and maintaining public safety?

1. How many police officers are currently employed?  
2. How many vacancies?

4. The Minister for Infrastructure has confirmed [in the States Assembly on the 25 June] that the Council of Ministers would discuss the way forward regarding any changes to legislation or policy relating to the use of e-scooters on roads. Can you advise the Panel when this will be and when can the public expect and update on this issue?

(a) What are the challenges for enforcing road traffic law relating to the use of e- scooters?

5. With reference to capital projects – please could you provide us with an update on the progress with the development of the new Dewberry House Sexual Assault Referral Centre?  

(a) Has the tender process been completed?  

6. The responsibility for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion has moved from the Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial portfolio, back to the Chief Minister's portfolio (and is being led by an Assistant Chief Minister [see R.118/2024]). Can you tell us about why that change has been made by this Government?

(a) Could you tell us about the Shoulder to Shoulder' programme operating in Justice and Home Affairs and wider Government?

7. Can you tell us about any wellbeing support made available to staff in the Justice and Home Affairs Department?

(a) Is wellbeing support consistent with staff across other Government services, or are there any specialist / additional services provided to frontline workers, for example those in the Prison Service or Police Force?

8. Can you describe how Government monitors the availability of Legal Aid to the public in Jersey?

1. Is there any centralised data available on the provision or take up of legal aid?
2. What negotiations are undertaken with the Law Society over setting fees for legal aid?
3. How many law firms in Jersey offer a Legal Aid service?
4. Has the number of firms offering Legal Aid reduced in number? [If so, is there any data that you are able to share with the Panel?]  

9. Minister, you have responsibility for Justice Policy'. Please could you describe how you work with the Public Policy Directorate (as the lead department) for that work?

(a) Can you clarify why Justice and Home Affairs isn't the named Lead Department for Justice Policy?

10. Can you describe whether your responsibility for Justice Policy has any impact or influence on the procedures of the court system?

(a) The Panel would like more information about waiting times for court dates. Do you think that there any changes could be made to Justice Policy' to reduce the waiting time in the justice system?

1. Have you been made aware of any challenges with waiting times for court?
2. Do you have any data on the waiting times in the court system?
3. If it is an issue, how could it be addressed?

Thank you in advance for your assistance. The Panel looks forward to your formal response and would request this is received by Tuesday 3rd September 2024.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Catherine Curtis

Chair

Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel