14 April 2015
Two departments are being restructured to improve efficiency and increase flexibility. The retirement of the Chief Officer for Home Affairs has prompted a review of how best to facilitate closer working between relevant teams from the Home Affairs and Chief Minister’s departments.
The current Chief Officer for External Relations and Constitutional Affairs, Tom Walker, will now lead a combined team covering Home and Constitutional Affairs, as well as strategic planning and policy development for justice and legal services, constitutional and social affairs.
Streamlining
The Chief Executive, John Richardson, said “As the Reform Programme moves into a restructuring phase, our challenge is to maintain the quality and effectiveness of core services while reducing the overall cost. This reorganisation will contribute to that work as part of an overall programme to streamline the way we work and improve efficiency.”
In this new role, Mr Walker, will lead the administration of the Jersey Prison Service, Fire and Rescue Service, Customs and Immigration Service, the Office of the Superintendent Registrar and the Jersey Field Squadron. He will also direct a combined team supporting the Chief Minister, Assistant Chief Minister for Social Policy, the Ministers for Housing and Home Affairs, and the Chair of the Legislation Advisory Panel.
Flexibility
The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said “This is an example of the kind of change that is needed throughout the public sector. It will bring teams together to deliver a more flexible approach to supporting ministers on housing, home affairs, justice and social policy.
“Every part of the public sector will have to change with the times, become faster, more accountable for delivery, and more focused on outcomes not processes. All around the world governments are wrestling with the same problem – how to create a modern, cost-effective public sector that is nimble enough to adapt to fast changing needs, and that can keep us competitive, attract business, control spending, and keep taxes low.”
Dedication
The Home Affairs Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, said “I would like to thank the outgoing Chief Officer, Steven Austin-Vautier, for his long dedication to public service. Steven has an exemplary record and has successfully built the department from its inception in 2000.
“Home Affairs has a great team of dedicated staff and I am confident they will contribute in a really positive way to the new working environment. A lot of our work crosses over with the other policy areas and this reorganisation will enhance the work that is done here.”
Review
A review has also been commissioned into the externally facing areas of government – Financial Services, External Relations and Economic Development – to ensure their structure is supporting ministers to attract inward investment and encourage innovation.
The review will analyse existing resources and recommend any changes to the organisational and management structure that will help ministers meet the objectives of the Strategic and Medium Term Financial Plans.
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