Jersey Consumer Council data (FOI)

​​Request

​A

What measurable successes has the Jersey Consumer Council ("JCC") achieved in the past five years which does not include sound bites to the media or other matters that do not actually achieve anything intrinsic?

B

How much does the JCC cost in wages to the taxpayer?

C

What is the purpose of the JCC if their only advice is to tell people to 'shop around' and to 'vote with their feet' which is common sense shopping?

D

How often is the true value of the JCC ever reviewed by an independent body?

​Response

A

The Jersey Consumer Council (“JCC”) is a largely voluntary council. The JCC Chair receives an honorarium, and two part-time officers are now employed. 

The organisation sets out an annual business plan for review and agreement by the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development. This incorporates key performance indicators with performance reported in an annual report available on the JCC website. Please see the link below: 

Jersey Consumer Council (consumercouncil.je)​

B

The JCC will receive a grant of £137,000 in 2024. The grant funds the work programme of the JCC, including payment of the honorarium and salaries.   

C

The Consumer Council was established on 25th April 1995 by an Act of the States (P.37/1995 refers) as a response to the perceived slow development of a new fair-trading law in Jersey.  Please see the following link:

States Assembly 25th April 1995.pdf (statesassembly.gov.je)

Following a further States decision in July 2011, the Council was re-established as an incorporated association with a revised mandate1: 

• To seek information, investigate, highlight and publicise anomalies and irregularities in consumer affairs and to encourage good trading practice by local business; 
• To provide a consumer response to consultations, to advise on consumer priorities and concerns and identify anti-competitive practices in support of the statutory roles and responsibilities of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, the Department of Economic Development, other relevant Departments, and in future a financial ombudsman; 
• To provide consumers with adequate, accurate and timely information so that they are able to make informed decisions and to know their rights in doing so, where this is not already adequately provided for by the activities of relevant statutory agencies of the economic Development Department, to include the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, and any future financial Ombudsman.

D

There has been no independent review of the JCC.​