Department Office of the Chief Executive Start date 27/01/2015 End date 27/02/2015 Type of consultation Other Deadline for comments 27/02/2015 Responses publish date 20/03/2015
About the consultation Jersey, like many jurisdictions, is facing significant economic, social and environmental changes, and its income is rising at a slower rate than in the past. While continuing to provide essential services, ministers are highlighting a number of issues they want to focus on to ensure Jersey adapts to a fast-changing world.
Health and wellbeing Our population is ageing, which is a great achievement. We all want to live long, happy, healthy lives and continue contributing to our society for as long as we are able. But longer lives and today's unhealthy lifestyles bring chronic, complex health conditions which increase costs. And as medical science enables us to treat more illnesses, health care become more specialised and more expensive. So we need to change the way we provide health services.
We know people want to be treated in their own homes, and that is what we’re working to provide. We have an agreed restructuring plan, now we need to move on with it, and that will cost.
Ministers will focus on finding savings in the public sector to help safeguard investment in health care and funding proposals will be published with the draft Strategic Plan in March.
Work continues to review the options for a new hospital, to find the best compromise between providing a future-proof solution and being economical with taxpayers’ money.
Education Ministers intend to maximise the potential of Jersey's young people by supporting families, so every child can get the most from their education. They want to ensure that all our young people have the best start in life and are given the opportunity to create a bright future for themselves and their island.
A successful community requires people with the right skills to sustain it, so schools need to provide a great education that prepares young people for the jobs that a modern, island economy can deliver. Our economy is globally competitive and needs a highly skilled workforce so ministers will be focusing on standards and skills.
Stronger links between schools and businesses are being established so head teachers have more autonomy to lead creatively and inspire their students, and so young people leave school with an understanding of the world of employment, a good grasp of technology and a ‘ready for work’ approach.
Economic growth The government intends to help meet the rising costs of health care through economic growth.
Ministers will create the right conditions to foster economic growth, to support increased productivity in all parts of the economy and to encourage new business start-ups across different sectors.
It’s about people working smarter, not working longer, finding new and innovative ways to do things better by embracing technology, diversifying the local economy and creating rewarding job opportunities that build a good standard of living for islanders.
Ministers will stimulate inward investment and enterprise, putting a greater emphasis on innovation and technology. Fintech - the use of technology in financial organisations - is one area with significant growth opportunities.
In financial services, ministers will build on the partnership between government, industry and regulator to protect existing markets and products, develop new ones, and promote our services to new markets overseas
St Helier St Helier is the engine of our economy, where most of us work, live or socialise. Ministers want to rejuvenate St Helier so it becomes a modern, vibrant town that preserves the best of its history, accommodates high quality homes, shops and offices and provides great public amenities.
A properly planned town can provide good quality homes and open spaces while protecting the coast and countryside from development.
Ministers will work closely with the parish and residents to develop a new plan for St Helier, to incorporate the new finance centre, decent homes, parks, a distinctive retail centre and a clear transport plan.
VIDEO How to submit comments to the consultation What do you think of the proposed priorities, and what do you think government needs to do to tackle them?
You can find out more about Ministers' priorities and take part in the consultation online.
gov.je