Restructuring Provision Bid – Criminal Justice
Department for Community and Constitutional Affairs
Report for Minister for Home Affairs
Subject: Restructuring Provision Bids – implementation of the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 201- and Criminal Justice Information and Communication Technology streamlining.
Date: 12 June 2017
Author: Finance Director, Community and Constitutional Affairs
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to request that the Minister seeks the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources for a non-recurring budget transfer of up to £175,800 in 2017 and up to £245,800 per year in 2018 and 2019 from the Restructuring Provision to the Community and Constitutional Affairs revenue head of expenditure to fund the implementation of the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 201- and Criminal Justice Information and Communication Technology streamlining.
Background
At its meeting on 26 April 2017 the Council of Ministers approved the CCA submission for up to £737,400 from the Restructuring Provision for the years 2017 – 2019 for the implementation of the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 201- and Criminal Justice Information and Communication Technology streamlining. The Law Officers Department has requested a carry forward of £70,000 from 2016 to assist with the funding of the project and therefore the funding requirement from the Restructuring Provision will be reduced to £667,400.
The proposal is to draw down up to £175,800 in 2017 and up to £245,800 in 2018 and 2019, nevertheless, the amount in each year may be varied without exceeding the total amount for the three years. The restructuring Provision revenue head of expenditure to decrease by an identical amount.
Article 17(2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that the Minister for Treasury and Resources is authorised to approve the transfer from contingency of amounts not exceeding, in total, the amount available for contingency expenditure in a financial year.
Implementation of the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 201- and Criminal Justice Information and Communication Technology streamlining
The laws upon which the Jersey Criminal Justice system is based are considered to be outdated and in need of revision and modernisation. The main area of modernization is the Loi (1864) Réglant la Procedure Criminelle. Written in French, this is still the principle source of authority for criminal procedure. A new law, written in English, is required to ensure that criminal procedure and evidence in Jersey support a justice system that is to be expected in modern society.
The Public Sector Reform programme is well placed to support change in the area of criminal justice. There is a need for cross-departmental LEAN thinking to develop efficiencies and streamlined ways of working.
Integrated functions and services will reduce transaction costs by changing to digital online processes and capitalising on existing IT platforms which can be extended across partnership arrangements. The implementation of business process re-engineering using LEAN methodology will support a culture of continuous improvement.
Recommendation
The Minister, with reference to the Council of Ministers’ approval of funding in support of the implementation of the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 201- and Criminal Justice Information and Communication Technology streamlining, is recommended to request the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve the required budget transfers.