GREATER “digital ambition” is required if ministers are to achieve their stated aim of delivering a leaner and less complex public sector with lower running costs, a backbench politician has argued.
Deputy Alex Curtis has submitted an amendment to the government’s Common Strategic Priorities (CSP) proposition, which is set to be debated in the States Assembly next month.
The representative for St Clement has an ongoing interest in the area, having been responsible for digital initiatives during an 18-month stint as Assistant Chief Minister prior to the change in government in January 2024.
In the report accompanying his amendment, Deputy Curtis appeals to his fellow States Members to support his bid to give “clear direction” to the Council of Ministers in order to bring about positive change.
“We should be able to reflect [by 2030] on the great progress made in simplifying the public service, improving service delivery and reducing costs,” he states.
“To do this, it requires a digital ambition, it requires ministers and officers to work together to put common and shared improvements against siloed departmental needs.
“It needs fundamentally new ways of digital working and stepping out of our comfort zone, whilst maintaining cyber safety and resilience.”
Deputy Curtis highlights the relevant sections of the original CSP, highlighting the aim to deliver a leaner and less complex public sector, with lower running costs, and to encourage the adoption of AI and technology solutions to increase productivity.
But he laments that the original document gives “little firm direction” on how to achieve these aims.
A stated commitment to be ambitious would set the tone for the new political term, he argues, adding: “If the government is ambitious, it should be clear and say it – and then be held to account for delivery.”
The report highlights some of the challenges for businesses in meeting regulatory requirements, including different platforms for tax and social security, planning applications, alcohol licences, vehicles and event permits. Some tasks are still reliant on filling in Word documents or PDFs, he points out.
“Before we remove or amend existing regulation or conversely create new regulation (such as food licensing or a new events licensing law), we should address one of the main issues with regulation – that being the administrative burden,” the report argues.
Deputy Curtis includes a reference to the retention of in-person and “offline” options for those Islanders who had difficulty with some of the new digital platforms.
The amendment calls for a centralised budget for the digital programme in order to make it easier to prioritise delivery of key elements and to “grow the government’s digital maturity”.
States Members are due to debate the Common Strategic Priorities, including several other amendments, in the sitting starting on Tuesday 10 November.
