Jersey’s government has agreed a set of strategic priorities for their four-year term of office.
The Common Strategic Policy sets out Ministers’ high-level ambitions for Jersey, and contains five strategic priorities where ministers will focus their efforts:
- We’ll put children first
- We’ll improve islanders’ wellbeing and mental and physical health
- We’ll create a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future
- We’ll reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living
- And we’ll protect and value our environment.
Ministers are intending that the focus given to these priorities will make a real difference to Jersey. A detailed plan of activities will then be published next year in a Government Plan, which will contain costings and funding plans.
Chief Minister, Senator John le Fondré, said: “This Council of Ministers has come together from across the political spectrum to agree a Common Strategic Policy for our term of office that will make a real difference, and make our Island stronger, safer, healthier and more self-confident.
“These five priorities will improve the life chances of all our children, safeguard our Island’s future and ensure that we cherish our environment. We have worked together to improve the inclusivity, health and wellbeing of our Island; and to build a sustainable platform for our economic future in these uncertain times.
“We want to deliver improvements to benefit all Islanders, of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, wherever they live, work and enjoy our unique Island.”
Next year, ministers will propose a new Government Plan, which will contain the detail of government activities planned for the following year, and set out the priorities for the subsequent three years.
In the meantime, in December, transitional arrangements for 2019 will be proposed in a report to the States Assembly. This will enable ministers to start work on their priorities within the financial constraints of the current Medium-Term Financial Plan.
Senator Le Fondré added: “This Common Strategic Policy is the first step in a new long-term plan for Jersey. It sets out our strategic priorities for the next four years. It is not a statement of everything that government does or will do, nor is it a detailed plan for how the public service will deliver the work of government.
“Once our strategic priorities are agreed we will be able to work with the States Assembly, key stakeholders and Islanders to develop a detailed, evidence-based and costed Government Plan. This will set out how we plan to deliver change, and demonstrate our new island-partnership approach to policy development.”
Next steps
- 20 November 2018 - States Assembly will debate the proposed Common Strategic Policy
- December 2018 - transitional arrangements for 2019 will be proposed, to enable Ministers to start work on priorities within the financial constraints of the current Medium-Term Financial Plan.
- June 2019 - Government Plan 2020-23 will be proposed, with detail of government activities for the following year, and priorities for the subsequent three years. This will be updated every year, on a rolling basis.
- 2020 - Island Plan 2021-30 will be proposed, with an integrated, strategic and spatial approach to the longer-term challenges and opportunities faced by the Island