30 July 2010
Seven external reviewers are now providing independent oversight of the major reviews set up as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which are each designed to deliver 10% savings by 2013.
The Treasury Minister advertised for Islanders earlier this year to act as independent reviewers. 7 people were appointed in May and are now working on the major reviews of the 4 largest departments - Education, Health, Home Affairs and Social Security - and on reviews of Court and Case Costs and the Terms and Conditions of all States employees.
The reviews will take a forensic look at the allocation of budgets; the level and nature of overheads; the management structure and any opportunities for reform; alternative ways to provide services and the possibility of charging for services.
The independent reviewers are:
- Chris Ambler
- Tom Binet
- Paul Marrett
- John Mills
- Tony O’Neill
- Stephen Regal
- Philip Taylor
The Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf said “I'm pleased we have the services of these senior, experienced individuals who will be instrumental in providing independent challenge of the major reviews.
“This is an important component of our 3-part plan to make Jersey economically secure for this and future generations; by cutting costs, boosting business and reviewing taxes.”
Of the 6 reviews, 5 (Education, Health, Home Affairs, Court and Case Costs and Terms and Conditions) are under way. The Social Security review will begin later this year, focusing on a full analysis of Income Support.
The reviews are an integral part of the process that culminates in Ministers identifying savings of £50m. These savings proposals will form part of the Budget, which will be lodged in October for debate in December.
The Treasury Minister added “I’m grateful to these prominent, experienced Islanders for giving their time to help the States in this important piece of work. We need to look thoroughly at the big picture, and these reviews, conducted with independent oversight, will help us to do that.
“We don’t want to slice departments’ budgets in a piecemeal way. We want to use the CSR as an opportunity to make changes that will modernise the public sector, ensure value for money for taxpayers and make sure we are providing the services Islanders need as efficiently as possible.”
Each review is led by a political board made up of the minister, an independent minister or ministers, plus either the Chief Minister or the Treasury Minister. The ministers have commissioned a Steering Group for each review, which is made up of an independent reviewer, the relevant Chief Officer, another Chief Officer and either the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive or the Interim Treasurer.
Each steering group will be supported by staff from the Comprehensive Spending Review team and departmental officers. They will meet regularly throughout the project and ensure the Terms of Reference for each review are delivered.
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