MINISTERS faced questioning about whether cuts in the government grant to the Jersey Care Commission was a threat to its independence.
Deputy Montfort Tadier challenged Planning Minister Sir Mark Boleat over the Budget proposal to cut £84,000 from the annual funding to the commission during yesterday’s States question time.
Senator Boleat said that the proposed cut came from overall funding of £2 million to the commission, and that this was part of the government’s drive to strengthen the Island’s fiscal position while protecting levels of investment in frontline services.
“They would like more money, and we would like to give them more, but we have to recognise the overall budgetary position and ensure fiscal responsibility,” he said.
He added that ministers felt it was reasonable to expect a body like the JCC to accept a reduction in funding in the same way as government departments were being expected to make savings.
Deputy Tadier said it was not a case of the commission wanting more money, rather that it wanted its funding levels maintained, particularly at a time when it was being assigned additional regulatory functions.
“This could put the independence of the commission at risk and limit its effectiveness and scrutiny, when it is the first, and in some cases only, line of defence for some vulnerable Islanders who may experience neglect and mistreatment,” he said.
Senator Boleat said there were “active discussions” taking place with the commission regarding the impact of the cuts, and said the plan to move to a three-year Budget cycle from next year would assist organisations with their planning.
Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said she felt that there could be better levels of communication with bodies before the publication of the Budget, and the minister said he would look at ways in which this could be done.
