Insights from our President, Adam Budworth, June 2024
How wonderful to reflect on the sense of community evident in both Jersey and Guernsey to mark the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Channel Islands from the occupation of Germany during World War II. In his speech, the Bailiff reminded us that this year’s Liberation Day takes place just four weeks before the 80th anniversary of D-Day which ultimately began the journey toward our liberation the following year.
These celebrations of our resilience, strength of character and working in collaboration at time of crises are surely a timely reminder of the approach we must continue to take in ensuring our Island retains its stance as a reputable international finance centre and jurisdiction of choice in which to live and work.
We are all looking forward to having sight of the Government Plan for 2025-2028 which is due to be lodged in early July and will outline funding for the next three years. The government has faced criticism over many areas of seemingly ineffective spending, including the new Hospital sites, the Electronic Patient Record scheme which was announced in 2021 and spending on government resources and activities. The new plan will contain specific details of the proposed ‘re-prioritisation’ of government policies, examples of which the new Chief Minister has been urged to outline numerous times since his appointment.
Deputy Farnham has echoed his vow to limit growth in the public sector after it was revealed that the number of government jobs is still rising faster than the number of private sector positions. This news alongside a report from the departing interim HR Director of the Health Department who has called for hiring processes to be taken away from central government into the relevant departments in order to better support the work actually being done and reduce the ’66 step process’ which is often adopted to hire a new member of staff.
We mentioned at the April Chamber lunch the suggestions of Jim McKinnon CBE in a recent report that as many as one in four planning applications in Jersey result in failure. The report mentioned the overturned decision in relation to the proposed Les Sablons development and suggested a potential lack of morale and poor culture in the relevant government departments could be a contributing factor to ongoing issues.
Chamber will continue to collaborate closely with government and all relevant officials to achieve effective and timely solutions to all of the challenges we face, not least those mentioned above.
We are proud to be the voice for our members and are grateful for their ongoing support.
