Sir, I believe that we have been elected into the offices we have just been sworn into because we want to see a successful and cohesive community, where we support education and training, economic growth, jobs, affordable homes, good health and a secure retirement.
These must remain our priorities. The last Council made significant progress on addressing them: over the next three and half years we must continue that work, but do so with more pace. We face a backdrop of continuing worldwide economic uncertainty and the growing demand for enhanced public services needs to be balanced against finite resources.
Service improvements need to be funded by a combination of savings, prioritisation and future economic growth.
Economic growth
While it has been encouraging to see unemployment falling, there are still too many who face the challenges of life without paid work. I intend to strengthen our approaches to helping and incentivising people into work.
Getting more Islanders into work requires a successful strategy for economic growth. We now have the building blocks in place to encourage innovation, attract quality businesses and maximise local enterprise.
Competition
We are competing with other jurisdictions from all over the world and Jersey faces a global challenge to secure sustainable growth and prosperity. It is a challenge we cannot afford to lose.
We must ensure that our legislation maintains our competitiveness. Our approach to regulation must encourage and foster new enterprise whilst upholding fair competition and open markets.
Financial Services
We must continue to support the financial services sector – protecting existing markets and products, while promoting our services to new overseas markets and innovating new products. We must also ensure the financial stability and certainty which this sector requires.
I will be proposing to establish a new Monetary Authority, to identify and assess the threats to financial stability in Jersey, and to provide independent advice on how to meet these threats.
Digital opportunity
Jersey needs to be a leader in the digital sector. The development of Digital Jersey will help to promote new technologies and expansion into niche areas such as Fintech and Cryptocurrencies. This work must be strengthened by boosting innovation and ensuring that our communications and media sectors remain globally competitive.
Tourism
I support a strong new Tourism Strategy with bold targets. Jersey has a depth and variety of culture and heritage which is second to none. The new Visit Jersey organisation will be able to innovate, raise the island’s profile and promote us as a year-round, event-led destination.
There are great opportunities in 2015 - with major events like Liberation 70 and the 2015 Island Games.
Agriculture and Fisheries
Agriculture and fisheries remain important to our Island community. Our farmers are valued custodians of the countryside, who help sustain our environment and keep Jersey beautiful.
Our fishermen maintain our essential connection with the sea, providing us with highly prized and freshly caught produce. New strategies for the rural economy and sea fisheries will be important milestones in the evolution of these industries.
Education and skills
Every local industry needs excellent staff if it is to succeed, and we need to be certain that all our young people are given the best opportunity to reach their full potential. Our school leavers must be able to fill the job opportunities that arise.
We must continue to improve the connections between education and the skills our employers need both now and in the future. If we can continue to establish targeted training schemes for areas of the economy where demand is picking up – like the construction and care sectors – then more jobs will be filled by residents.
I will also be continuing efforts to raise academic standards and vocational opportunities in our schools and colleges. Our school leavers must be able to compete successfully for both jobs and university places, so we must aim for the highest possible standards.
An inclusive community
As Chief Minister I want to help create a community where everyone feels valued, is treated fairly, and is adequately housed and cared for. It is not surprising that, in an Island such as ours, we face challenges with the supply and affordability of homes. We need to get building.
- Andium Homes is providing new rental homes and refurbishing the existing housing stock
- we have started building on brownfield sites
- we will work with the construction sector to tackle labour supply issues
- the new Strategic Housing Unit is integrating housing policy with all other aspects of social policy
Our current approach to supporting people with disabilities is piecemeal. If we want all Islanders to be able to participate fully in our community, then we need a cohesive approach. I have initiated the groundwork for a disability strategy.
Likewise – our community well-being depends on everyone being treated fairly and without discrimination. I will support the development of the discrimination law. We will consult at each stage and ensure that employers have time to prepare for any new requirements.
Health
As we prepare to deal with an ageing population, we must maintain high-quality health and social care, while ensuring that this remains affordable in the long term. The redesign of our health system is focusing on community-based support and home care.
Rapid response teams are already keeping hospital stays to a minimum.
Mental health has not received the attention it deserves. I am supporting plans to update the Mental Health Law and to radically improve the support available for people with mental health issues.
And – of course – there’s the need for a new hospital. Whether we ultimately opt for a single or dual site solution, we need to get on with it.
Public sector reform
We must keep up our efforts to reform the public service. Technology improvements will provide enhanced customer service and easier interaction with States departments.
Workforce modernisation continues. A new reward structure underpinned by a new job evaluation scheme is in development. I am committed to working with the trade union representatives to secure the changes required, while retaining a motivated and dedicated workforce.
I have seen that our public servants work incredibly hard with commitment and dedication, but with limited resources we need to control costs and review whether we are asking our staff to do the right things. We need to think continuously about how we can serve the public better with the same resources and money.
Electoral reform
I am sure Members will accept that the electorate has spoken - Islanders have told us clearly that they value our Parish system. I couldn’t agree more. But we still have a system that does not necessarily provide fair representation.
I propose the creation of a 'Reform Grand Committee' so Members can carry reform forward. Electoral reform has proved difficult in the past, but we must make one more effort to make the changes required and I am willing to play my part. I am determined to re-build the trust of the Public on this issue.
My role as Chief Minister
Sir, it is an honour and a privilege for me to continue to serve this Assembly and our community as Chief Minister. I am confident that Jersey has strong foundations, but we remain a small island in a vast and challenging world.
I expect to publish my nominations for Ministerial office tomorrow and these will reflect the challenges that we need to meet and overcome. We all need to work together to secure our future well-being. I believe Islanders expect no less.
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