Mr Refault, who will also continue in his role as Assistant Health Minister, has been given special responsibility for the Jersey Development Company, the States body which is behind the controversial Jersey International Finance Centre.
The Deputy was appointed by Treasury Minister Alan Maclean.
In a statement, Mr Refault, who has previously served as an Assistant Treasury Minister and was once a States-nominated director of the Waterfront Enterprise Board, now the JDC, said: ‘Returning to a dual-ministry role is challenging but provides me with the opportunity to use more of my experience and knowledge – much of it gained as a result of my previous role in Treasury.
‘Jersey is approaching a crossroads at which increased spending pressures, proposals for a new hospital and the need to stimulate our economy will all be coming together.
‘I look forward to meeting the challenges this will present along with my friends and colleagues in the Health and Treasury departments.’
Deputy Vallois resigned after criticising the Council of Ministers and claiming that she had been excluded by the Treasury Department.
Dear Alan,
After serving through the Scrutiny process for almost 6 years the opportunity arose last year to become your Assistant Minister. As cautious as I was, I saw this as a way to integrate my skills into the executive and assist the Council of Ministers with some extremely challenging policies going forward.
During the past year I have assisted with work on property, utilities, the MTFP, Scrutiny responses, Treasury ministerial decisions, the budget, the hospital, health spending, higher education funding, personal taxation and attended numerous Council of Ministers meetings. Even though I am told I am a valuable member of the team it would appear I am the only Assistant Minister to yet receive any delegation or to be given the ability to lead any projects, even with my 7 years of political experience.
This is through no fault of my own. I have consistently raised issues with yourself and the Chief Minister and have been met with endless promises that never come to fruition. A warning was given to you on the 31 July 2015 via email that my position was becoming untenable and an email of resignation was provided on the 5th October 2015 due to continued ignorance of the situation.
Whether it is an issue of trust or not, my ability to achieve anything worthwhile is hampered as an Assistant Minister.
A serious concern that I have raised with you and the Chief Minister is in relation to the role of the Chief Executive and the increased power this role has received. I have been left in a position whereby I am expected to have confidence in a very difficult plan of reform to be delivered and I am struggling to be convinced that the current position is the right way forward. Having met with the States Employment Board on this matter it leaves me feeling uncomfortable and, although sympathetic to the situation, this is too important to allow to continue without due consideration. The Chief Minister was given an option by myself as to how this should be taken forward and I have heard nothing since. I will therefore be lodging my proposition on the role of the Chief Executive so that the States Assembly can share their views and be party to the debate on this matter.
On a very basic level, there could be huge improvements to the way in which the Executive is run. When talking about productivity there needs to be serious consideration as to time management, meeting deadlines and keeping to them, sufficient time to challenge policies in a more organized manner politically and a much better engagement policy. Even better use of the data sets held right across the organization.
Documents such as the distributional analysis and an ageing population paper for the MTFP, which I have requested numerous times earlier this year, have also not been produced but have been raised in the FPP report as needed.
Therefore, after careful thought and consideration I have concluded that my skills and abilities would be better utilized through the function of a backbencher or via the scrutiny process and resign from my position as Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Yours faithfully,
