Questions are being asked in the States today about the 'alleged' pay-offs to two top Civil Servants, reportedly totalling £800,000. The amount of secrecy surrounding this subject is both outstanding and cannot help but raise suspicion. Just a few minutes ago, something quite bizarre happened. The Chief Minister, one of a handful of people who actually knows the full facts of these pay-offs said that these were 'alleged golden handshakes', but himself would not let us know whether they were or were not 'golden handshakes.'
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| Deputy Pitman is one of the States Members asking a question about the 'Golden Handshakes' to top Civil Servants |
Deputy Pitman will shortly be asking a question: 'Will the Chief Minister clarify the exact sums paid as ' golden handshakes' to two civil servants, clarify who was paid which sum and explain why such large payments were considered justified?'
Of course, none of these questions will be answered, but at least they are being asked. The Treasury Minister has already said such details would only be released in 'exceptional circumstances'.
I would argue that Jersey IS in exceptional circumstances. Public confidence in the States' ability to spend taxpayers money in an effective and accountable way is at an all time low. Add this to a vicious austerity programme that is being pushed through, with cuts to frontline services (we are even charging patients for bandages now!), I would say these ARE exceptional circumstances.
The current Strategic Plan, the document which - in the absence of party politics - sets out the underlying political philosophy to be pursued by the States until 2012 - has many references to transparency:
On page 7, we find the words –
‘By working openly and inclusively with all sectors of our community we will:
create a responsive government […] which embraces a progressive culture of openness, transparency and accountability to the public.’
On page 32 there is a similar pledge –
‘We will work to improve the public trust in government and establish a
system of greater transparency, public participation, and collaboration to
strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in
government.’
Sadly, it seems that these are simply words. When it comes to real transparency, there is little appetite for the type of open government alluded to here.
*Alleged £800,000 pay-offs
http://st-ouennais.livejournal.com/132131.html
ReplyDeleteMontfort.
ReplyDeleteOnce again Deputy Pitman "the leader of the pack." He also asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the infamous BDO/Alto Report. What a shame the rest of the Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel chose to remain silent.
Having worked in HR I can say that all work contracts are confidential between the Employer and the Employee and thats the legal position. So what you are suggesting goes way against the norm.
ReplyDeleteQuestion's without answer's.
ReplyDeleteHERE
"Having worked in HR I can say that all work contracts are confidential between the Employer and the Employee and thats the legal position. So what you are suggesting goes way against the norm."
ReplyDeleteDoes your Island have a legal solution to these shenanigans or when you hit a brick wall you have to put up with corruption? With all due respect, it is starting to look as if even when you have some decent elected officials you also have outside appointments of corrupt leaders like the Bailiff who over rule them. Where is the guaranteed statutory way to enforce the rule of law over this lack of accountability?
Moderated comment:
ReplyDelete"Having worked in HR I can say that all work contracts are confidential between the Employer and the Employee and thats the legal position. So what you are suggesting goes way against the norm." Does your Island have a legal solution to these shenanigans or when you hit a brick wall you have to put up with corruption? With all due respect, it is starting to look as if even when you have some decent elected officials you also have outside appointments of [...] leaders like the Bailiff who overrule them. Where is the guaranteed statutory way to enforce the rule of law over this lack of accountability?
Anon. Thank you for your comments. Whilst the role of the Bailiff in the States is clearly an issue for many, the real problem is first and foremost about the way in which information is not given; questions not answered, and the Chair, very often, interpreting standing orders - orders which themselves are often flawed - in such a way as to let the Ministers get away without answering questions. Information is often withheld spuriously on the grounds of confidentiality. There is no Freedom of Information Law yet, so non-disclosure cannot yet be pressed for there. I am not sure what the immediate solution is, but one of them must be surely to elect more candidates to the States who will stand for honesty, integrity and accountability.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sir.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when an appointed official refuses to charge someone in a criminal case, despite evidence the case should go forward? What happens if you have transparency but still find no accountability can be forced on those who, unlike yourself, are unelected? How do you ensure that Crown oversight when it is needed?
This, and the role of the local press is why our classroom studied Jersey.
For audio of that session of Questions 'without' answers please click on
ReplyDeletehttp://thejerseyway.blogspot.com/2011/06/questions-with-out-answers.html
For audio of that session of Questions 'without' answers please visit
ReplyDeletewww.thejerseyway.blogspot.com/2011/06/questions-with-out-answers.html