20 August 2019
A series of public meetings has been arranged for Islanders to find out more about the proposed Government Plan 2020-23.
The Plan is due to be debated by the States Assembly on 26 November, and Ministers would like to discuss their proposals with Islanders, so five meetings will be held in September at venues around the Island.
The Council of Ministers published Jersey’s first-ever Government Plan in July. It is the first time for many years that both income and spending proposals have been brought together into one comprehensive, costed plan.
The Plan explains that the Government is committed to balancing the budget and to keeping taxes low and broad. It proposes increased spending, but also to achieving £100 million worth of efficiencies over four years, which will keep spending below the forecasts in Budget 2019.
Assistant Chief Minister, Connétable Richard Buchanan, said: “We want our five strategic priorities to make a real difference to Islanders’ lives. We must also ensure the sustainability of our public finances and of the long-term funds that are essential to supporting the economy.
“These meetings are an opportunity for Ministers to explain their priorities in person and for Islanders to hold us to account for our proposals. I hope as many people as possible will take up this offer and come along.”
The Government proposes to invest £349 million in capital projects over the next four years – to improve health services and mental health provision, update school facilities, develop a combined control room for the emergency services, find a solution for Fort Regent, continue work on the new hospital and improve cyber-security.
Each of the public meetings will focus on one of the priorities agreed by the States Assembly:
- we will put children first
- we will improve Islanders’ wellbeing and mental and physical health
- we will create a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future
- we will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living
- we will protect and value our environment
The meetings will be led by Ministers, who will provide a summary of the Plan and then answer questions from the audience. People who can’t attend will be able to submit their questions online nearer the time.
| Wed 18 Sept | RJAHS, Trinity | 6.30-8pm | We will protect and value our environment |
| Mon 23 Sept | St Helier Town Hall | 6.30-8pm | We will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living |
| Tues 24 Sept | St Brelade Parish Hall | 6.30-8pm | We will put children first |
| Wed 25 Sept | St Paul's Centre, St Helier | 1-2pm | We will create a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce |
| Thurs 26 Sept | Grouville Parish Hall | 6.30-8pm | We will improve Islanders' wellbeing and mental and physical health |
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