17 March 2008
The report on the findings of the Imagine Jersey 2035 public consultation has been published. The consultation process ran from November 2007 to February 2008 and included a survey, written consultation and a public conference. The aims of the consultation were to enable the public to understand the social and economic challenges associated with Jersey ’s ageing population and to inform the States of Jersey how these challenges should be met in the future.
The Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker has welcomed the report’s findings. He said, “I am pleased at the response we have had to this extensive consultation process and would like to thank all the people that have taken the time to contribute. The report shows what a valuable process this has been and that the clear messages are:
Broad support for growing the economy
Strong support for working longer as part of the solution to the challenges ahead
Whilst people do not actively support increases in taxes and contributions, many are willing to accept some level of increase in order to maintain public services
Inward migration was the least popular of the four options presented but there was also acceptance that controlled inward migration may be necessary
Strong opposition to new buildings on green fields, but acceptance of good quality and affordable development within the built-up area”. The findings of the report will be used to inform a high level States debate on the key messages to come out of it. However, the Chief Minister has said rather than try to take any firm decisions this year, the intention would be to help identify the principle issues for the next House to consider after the elections.
The Chief Minister added, “At the Imagine Jersey 2035 conference I committed to organising a similar event for young people. I am pleased that this event will take place on Friday 28 March and encourage the Island ’s young people to attend. We need to make sure their voice is heard on what are fundamentally important issues for them and our Island community as a whole”.
The findings of the report were collated and produced by Involve, the UK based not-for-profit organisation which has helped the States facilitate the consultation. The 77-page document summarises the main elements of the consultation process.
Throughout the consultation period, a number of key stakeholder groups, representing different parts of Jersey ’s society, worked with States officers to help shape and comment on the survey and public event. States members have now received a copy of the report and members of the public who attended the public conference will receive a copy this week. An online version of the report can be found at www.gov.je. Anyone who wishes to receive a hard copy of the report can email imagine@gov.je
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Notes to Editors
The report gives a detailed analysis of all aspects of the consultation process, including the number of responses to each element. They include:
Consultation Guide – produced by a States Working Group which explained the key issues and options surrounding the ageing population.
Written Consultation Document – explained in more detail the issues presented in the consultation guide, which welcomed comments from members of the public. 35 written responses were received from individuals, groups and representative bodies as well as companies. A number of respondents made specific recommendations linked to the five scenarios outlined in the consultation guide, although most submissions were broad in approach and did not focus on one singular issue.
Survey – this explored the public’s values and aspirations for the future. 1,257 self-selected people completed the survey, which was available either online or in a hard copy version, available in English, Portuguese and Polish.
Public Conference – this was held at the Royal Yacht Hotel in January 2008 and was attended by 136 self-selecting members of the public together with a number of States Members who attended the one-day event as observers. At the end of the conference, a ‘trade-off’ game was used which allowed participants to come up with their own combination of solutions to the economic and social challenges facing Jersey . The full results of this game are also included within the report.
- As well as discussing and commenting on the options presented in the consultation document, many people who participated proposed their own solutions to the challenges facing the Island . These detailed suggestions are also contained within the findings of the report.
- The Imagine Jersey 2035 - Youth Event, organised by the Chief Minister’s Department in association with Education, Sport & Culture and the Jersey Youth Service will take place on Friday 28 March 2008 . The format of the event will run similar to that of the public conference held in January and is open to young people between the ages of 15 – 19 years. For further information please contact Tom Le Feuvre on telephone 440559.
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The results are also available online.
gov.je