P&R seeks more "responsive" government structure

Monday 21 June 2021

Policy & Resources is prioritising a review into the machinery of government this political term and will spend £26m on "transforming" public services as part of a wider initiative to "re-shape" the States.

Originally termed "right-sizing" government in the first iteration of the Government Work Plan, the concept has been rebranded by P&R ahead of the landmark GWP debate in July, which will set the political agenda for the term ahead.

With the aim of matching policy with resources in a short to medium term plan, the GWP maps out £650m spending over the next five years in order to fulfil capital projects, continue the response to Covid and respond to changes in international regulations. 

It also aims to tackle questions about the constitution of government, which services the States should be providing, and whether some of these would be better delivered by third parties. 

P&R said: "In support of public service transformation, the government will need to determine, with support from the community, where the public sector is currently delivering services which could be more effectively and efficiently delivered by commissioned partners.

Pictured: Policy & Resources says £26m needs to be invested this term - yielding £7m in returns between now and 2025.

"Changes to the public service will need to be complemented by improvements to the operation of government itself.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated what can be achieved by a responsive, proportionate and transparent administration; the States will need to learn from these lessons to meet future challenges and maximise opportunities whilst maintaining effective representation, collaboration and accountability within its government structure."

At a private briefing last week, media outlets were told by P&R that they believe there is a strong case for changing the machinery of government.

In the context of the Covid-19 response and the emergence of the Civil Contingencies Authority (which has four voting political decision-makers) this is likely to mean a smaller group of deputies wielding greater decision-making powers.

States CEO Paul Whitfield recently declared that he view working with a smaller government "as a much more effective way of working."

He said: "Working with the CCA was extraordinarily different to working with a board that is really the whole of the Assembly."

Pictured: The size of the Assembly was reduced from 45 to 38 in 2016 as part of reforms to the machinery of government. Those reforms were designed by a specially-formed committee and led to the restructuring of the committee system. 

Policy & Resources President and Vice-President Peter Ferbrache have both spoken out in favour of executive government.

Deputy Soulsby told last week's briefing that she believes there to be wider political support for a review of the machinery of government. 

"The Policy & Resources Committee will work with the States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee and States’ Members in reviewing the machinery of government," said P&R in its GWP policy letter. 

"It is not seeking revolution but instead looking to evolve the operation of the legislature and government to work better for islanders.

Pictured: What the £15m attributed to public sector transformation will be spent on. Around £7m has also been budgeted for organisational restructuring and £4m for transforming health and social care. 

"Whilst any changes proposed by the review would likely be implemented next term, this term will see the delivery of a number of specific improvements to government processes and systems which will complement any wider reform, including changes to Royal Assent processes, the automation of the electoral roll and the introduction of simultaneous electronic voting in debates."