22 August 2011
Value Jersey has been generating new savings ideas and online debate since its launch last month.
With more than 60 emails received and regular contributions being made to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, Islanders have shown they are keen to get involved in discussing the States of Jersey’s programme to restructure the public sector.
The Treasury launched Value Jersey last month as a new way to inform and engage Islanders about progress on cutting costs in the public sector and to ensure the States are listening to feedback on savings proposals.
Your feedback
Some of your ideas submitted online and via email:
- centralise all States administration departments, out of town, up to date site and sell town offices
- sell Jersey airport
- stop subsidy for Aquasplash as it is a private enterprise
- keep school trips closer to home to minimise cost of sending teachers
- provide student loans, to be repaid by graduates, with incentives for graduates who return to Jersey to fill essential jobs
- reduce the length of time claimants receive Income Support after they start a new job
- means test any benefits which are currently universal
- require healthy benefit claimants to do unpaid work for States
- increase the ceiling on Social Security payments to £85,000
- reintroduce prescription charges, subsidised for long term sick and low earners
- introduce work permits
- offer part-time working for people aged 60+
- allow online booking for States sports facilities to improve service and reduce staffing
- produce 9 hour paycards - motorists using 4 hour cards are generally parking all day and have to use 3 cards
- privatise car parking provision to reduce expenditure and increase revenue
- end free parking for States Members and States staff
- reduce the number of politicians
- text reminders for outpatient appointments, then charge patients who miss appointments to book an alternative time
The Treasury and Resources Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, said: "I am very pleased that Islanders are showing such interest in discussing the options for Jersey’s future. By the end of this year we will have achieved £12 million in annual savings and will have agreed how we propose to save the whole £65 million by 2013.
"I hope the public’s involvement will help to ensure that we build and maintain a culture of continually reassessing and seeking efficiencies throughout the public sector. One of the key priorities for the next Council of Ministers will be to consider a new target after the £65 million has been achieved. I would expect that target to take into account the suggestions made by Islanders.
In the coming weeks and months we will be publishing online the suggestions we have received, and responding to them. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in creating better value for Jersey and we welcome your ideas."
gov.je