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Guernsey's Treasury and Resources Minister says that the States is making good progress in the management of its capital projects.
Speaking on the publication of the update report on the States Capital Investment Portfolio, Deputy St Pier said that the move to managing the collection of capital projects as a portfolio had enabled the States to "make more informed decisions, ensuring that the projects represent the best allocation of limited resources."
In September 2013, the States of Deliberation approved the establishment of a States Capital Investment Portfolio. The objective is to oversee major capital projects and programmes, such as new school buildings, changes in IT systems to help make public services more efficient, and the overhaul of States properties.
The report sets out information across areas including:
- the work that Departments have completed so far to develop their business cases
- the recommended framework for the planning and delivery of capital projects
- the final list of projects recommended for further development.
Deputy Gavin St Pier commented:
"A significant amount of work has been undertaken by all Departments to get to this point. We now intend to continue working hand in hand to ensure we make best use of the limited funds available for capital investment, whilst at the same time ensuring the development of key services and facilities for our customers.
"Managing the collection of capital projects as a portfolio will help the States make more informed decisions, ensuring that the projects represent the best allocation of limited resources. This approach will also provide an opportunity to ensure that projects are assessed against their fit with broader government aims.
"In shortthis is how we get the best value for the Island."
During the last seven months, project sponsoring Departments have undertaken extensive work to develop their business cases. This has included the identification of the proposed project benefits, development of a range of options for delivering the required outcomes, and further work on estimated project costs. All projects have also been subject to project assurance reviews which have:
- reviewed the emerging business cases
- provided an independent assessment of whether the required fundamentals to deliver projects successfully are in place
- tested the robustness of estimated costs
- made a series of recommendations based on the above.
Deputy St Pier commented:
"This enhanced project development framework will help minimise project failure, and increase the chance of delivering the required outcomes cost-effectively and in a co-ordinated way across the organisation. The Treasury and Resources Department believes that considerable savings can be achieved through joined-up working throughout the organisation together with a focus on ensuring value for money at all levels of the portfolio.
"As a result of the additional work undertaken and the requirement to add several additional urgent projects to address damage to infrastructure and buildings as a result of the winter storms, the total cost of the portfolio is now estimated to be £275m. This compares to £218m total potential available funding. A variety of options for addressing this shortfall have been set out in the report and are being discussed with sponsoring Departments. It is my Department's intention to bring firm proposals back to the States as part of the 2015 Budget Report, which may include halting projects if no other solutions can be found."
