FIFTEEN Islanders waiting for social housing are currently being put up in hotels by the government, it has emerged – with the average wait for those in “urgent need” standing at three years. There are currently 56 families with children in Band 1 of the Affordable Housing Gateway, which is where applications are placed if […]
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Work to change drugs law welcomed by campaigners
WORK to alter “archaic” legislation that categorises some cannabis products at the same level as heroin has been welcomed by campaigners, after the Health Minister confirmed that law drafting instructions had been issued to enable a reclassification. Deputy Tom Binet said the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council had recommended that “cannabinol” and “cannabinol derivatives” be […]
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Two months is not long enough to review assisted dying law, say scrutineers
A MAJOR debate on legalising assisted dying could be delayed until the new year amid concerns that there is not enough time to scrutinise the complex law as well as the upcoming Budget document. Deputies Inna Gardiner and Louise Doublet have written to Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham asking for a “mutually agreeable debate” to hold […]
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Ministers respond to Marine Lake petition
QUESTIONS remain over whether there is sufficient demand to justify restoring the Victoria Marine Lake with taxpayers’ money, ministers have said. A petition calling on the government to restore and maintain the pool in St Aubin’s Bay received more than 1,400 signatures – prompting a ministerial response. The government response detailed how the 128-year-old pool […]
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All States primary schools now included in hot meal trial
ALL government primary schools now offer hot meals to students each day following the success of a pilot programme launched in 2019. The scheme allows each student to receive a nutritionally balanced main meal and a dessert for £2.50, with many students – such as those with families on income support – eligible for free […]
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Friend or foe
When our current political system was designed, the Scrutiny panels were intended to be a “critical friend”. Their comments this week are perhaps the equivalent of that friend sitting you down, and unleashing some home truths. The whole point of the current system is coordination, and leadership. That’s what the Council of Ministers was created […]
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Committee chair: Assembly missed chances to protect health fund
REPEATED attempts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Health Insurance Fund were missed by the Assembly, the head of the States spending watchdog has said. Public Accounts Committee chair Deputy Inna Gardiner said that amendments had been brought to each of the past two Budget debates which could have gone some way to safeguarding […]
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Stronger monitoring ‘essential’ for lifeline transport services, PAC chair states
PREPARATIONS for a new contract for Jersey’s air ambulance service must include stronger monitoring to ensure the resilience of a lifeline service, an influential backbench politician has said. Speaking in the aftermath of a critical report into the Island’s transport infrastructure, Deputy Inna Gardiner, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, highlighted “worrying themes” that dated […]
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Government saves £1.2m by removing seven senior posts but no plans for ‘fundamental’ restructure of civil service
THE government’s chief executive has said seven senior civil servant roles have been scrapped since he took on the post resulting in a saving of £1.2 million. In a letter to the Public Accounts Committee, Dr Andrew McLaughlin outlined the removal of multiple chief officer and director posts. The government chief executive also confirmed that […]
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Mixed review on the government’s handling of complaints and customer feedback
THE government’s handling of complaints and customer feedback has received a mixed review from the committee responsible for monitoring the effective use of public funds. A report from the Public Accounts Committee highlighted improvements in the monitoring and analysis of feedback from Islanders but also noted an increase in complaints that were unresolved or not […]
