Government of Jersey

Government of Jersey
Jèrriais: Gouvèrnément d'Jèrri
Logos of the Government of Jersey in English and Jèrriais
Overview
State	Jersey
Leader	Chief Minister (John Le Fondré)
Appointed by	Chief Minister, with approval from the States Assembly.[1]
Main organ	Council of Ministers
Responsible to	States Assembly
Headquarters	19-21 Broad Street, Saint Helier
Website	www.gov.je

Politics of Jersey
The Crown Duke of Normandy Queen Elizabeth II Lieutenant Governor Sir John McColl
Executive Government of Jersey Chief Minister John Le Fondré Council of Ministers
Legislature Bailiff William Bailhache
Judiciary Crown Officers Jurat Courts of Jersey
Local government Parishes Parish assemblies
Elections Political parties Last election
External relations External relations EU trade deal
Category Other countries
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The Government of Jersey (Jèrriais: Gouvèrnément d'Jèrri) is the executive body of the States of Jersey and is the central government of the Bailiwick of Jersey.^[2] The government is led by the Chief Minister (currently Senator John Le Fondré, since 2018), who nominates all the remaining ministers, all elected by the States Assembly.

All Ministers of the Government are required to be elected States members and are accountable to it.^[3] They make statements in and take questions from the assembly. The government is dependent on the assembly to make primary legislation, however ministers can make secondary legislation, such as Orders and Regulations. The government is not formed of one single party, but made of multiple independent members.

The 'Government of Jersey' is the official identity of the executive and administrative arm of the States of Jersey. The government no longer uses the term States of Jersey in reference to executive and administrative departments.^[2]

History[]

Under the uncodified constitution of Jersey, executive power lies in the Council of Ministers, formed of the Chief Minister and his ministers. Before 2005, the States of Jersey held both legislative and executive power through committee-led government

Since the implementation of the States of Jersey (Jersey) Law 2005,^[3] the executive and legislative functions have been split between the Council of Ministers and States Assembly respectively. In 2019, the Council of Ministers formally adopted the identity of the 'Government of Jersey' for the executive responsibilities of the States.^[2]

Ministers[]

The decision-making body for the island's government is the Council of Ministers. The Council lead the island's executive and administrative governance. The ministers are nominated by the Chief Minister or by any States member and confirmed by the States Assembly. The States of Jersey (Jersey) Law 2005 establishes the role and function of ministers.^[3]

The administration of the Government is made up by a number of departments that may have more than one minister. The Ministers are responsible each for an area of policy. The Ministers provide policy direction to civil service officers, having given fair consideration and due weight to informed and impartial advice from such officer.^[3]

A new (or existing) Chief Minister is (re-)appointed after:

• every ordinary election of Deputies
• the previous Chief Minister ceases to be a States member
• the previous Chief Minister resigns, is incapacitated (for a period exceeding 8 weeks) or is deceased
• the States have no confidence in the Chief Minister or the whole Council

Departments - 'One Government'[]

Under the 'One Government' structure implemented by former Government Chief Executive Charlie Parker, there are nine government departments.

In April 2018, the States approved changes to the Government machinery. The Chief Executive was appointed the Principal Accounting Officer for public finances, giving them the control and responsibility for government spending. The Government states this change has improved funding allocations and government transparency.^[5] In February 2022, the Democratic Accountability and Governance Sub-Committee.^[6]

The same proposition also proposed to make the Government a single legal entity. Currently, each Minister forms a single corporation sole, however when the changes are implemented (as they have been approved), 'Jersey Ministers' as a single entity will become legally responsible for all areas of government. The argument in favour of this is that it will allow more cross-Ministerial working. However, some are worried that this move would lead to more centralisation of power in the Chief Minister and Chief Executive.^[6]

The OneGovernment structure has been criticised for blurring the lines of accountability in the Government and that the introduction of the reforms 'have had a negative effect on governance' because departments are no longer necessarily have one political lead.^[6]

Common Strategic Policy[]

The Common Strategic Policy^[7] is the Government's high-level ambitions for the island. It contains five strategic priorities, 8 common themes and 5 ongoing initiatives. It was started in 2018 and lasts four years.

The strategic priorities are:

1. Put children first
2. Improve Islander's wellbeing and mental and physical health
3. Create a sustainable, vibrant economy
4. Reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living
5. Protect and value our environment

Local government[]

Jersey is divided into 12 parishes, which are further divided into vingtaines (or, in St. Ouen, cueillettes), divisions that are historic. Today they are used chiefly for purposes of local administration and electoral constituency. Each parish has their own Assembly.

See also[]

• Law of Jersey
• Politics of Jersey
• States Assembly
• Council of Ministers

References[]

External links[]

• Official website

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