24 February 2015
The Council of Ministers is holding the first of its planned ministerial drop-in meetings next week. There will be two meetings on Monday 2 March. The first is from 1-2pm at St Paul’s Centre in St Helier and the second is from 6-8pm at Communicare in St Brelade.
These meetings will provide an opportunity for people to drop in at any point within the allotted times and speak personally to the Chief Minister and other ministers about any issues that concern them.
Ministers attending
The other ministers attending on Monday are Senators Lyndon Farnham and Andrew Green, Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier and Deputies Rod Bryans, Steve Luce and Edward Noel. These ministers are attending to give people the chance to ask about the ministerial prioorities proposed for the States Strategic Plan. Those priorities are health and wellbeing, education, economic growth and St Helier.
This drop-in meeting is part of a series of online question and answer sessions, public drop-ins and community meetings which are being held to explain policy decisions to islanders and to listen to their concerns.
Open government
The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said “These community events are an important part of demonstrating openness and transparency in government. Ministers want to communicate directly with the people we are serving, and it is essential that we listen to a diversity of views on the important issues facing us.
“I want our community to work together, supported by a government that prioritises education and training, economic growth, jobs, affordable homes, good health and a secure retirement.
“These two drop-in meetings are the first of our community events and I hope they will help ministers to work with Islanders in the best interests of Jersey.”
Online discussion
The next Ask the Minister online session will be run by the Health and Social Services Minister on Twitter from 5.30-6.30pm this Thursday. These sessions are being held monthly, with each minister taking their turn to answer questions online for an hour.
The first Community meeting, attended by all ministers, will be held in May in the east of the island. It will consist of a short presentation followed by questions from the audience. The idea will be to explain decisions that have been made and to answer questions and listen to views from the audience. People attending the meetings in parish venues will be able to ask their questions in person, or they can submit them in writing on the night, using forms and a collection box provided.
These opportunities for Islanders to explain their concerns and question ministers directly are being arranged to support the Council’s intention to communicate more directly with Islanders.
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