Common strategic policy

Article 18(2)(e) of The States of Jersey Law 2005 requires as one of the functions of the Council of Ministers –

agreeing and lodging for referral to one or more Scrutiny Panels established under standing orders and approval by the States, a statement of their common strategic policy.

Article 18 (2A) of the Law requires that –

The Council of Ministers must lodge the statement of their common strategic policy under paragraph (2)(e) –

(a)     no later than the day on which the first government plan is lodged; and

(b)     within 4 months of their appointment under Article 19(7).

On 26 January 2024 Deputy Lyndon Farnham was elected Chief Minister.

On 9 April 2024 his Council of Ministers published its Proposed Common Strategic Policy 2024 – 2026.  This set out 12 priorities for delivery in the next two years.  A 13^th priority, implementation of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, was added by the States Assembly when it approved the Common Strategic Policy 2024-2026 on 21 May 2024.

In summary the 13 priorities are –

Extend nursery and childcare provision

While the intention is to move towards a universal offer for 2 to 3-year-olds, we will start by extending nursery and childcare provision to children aged 2 to 3 years with additional needs. To help increase nursery spaces, we will pilot ways to access unused spaces in our primary school nurseries, and we will review the availability of spaces in St Helier – where the demand is highest – and also across the Island.

We will provide a nutritious school meal for every child in all States primary schools by December 2024.

Increase the provision of lifelong learning and skills development

We will prioritise the delivery of skills development in Jersey. This will include promoting apprenticeships, a series of targeted skills development schemes, and implementing sustainable Higher Education Student Finance.

We will provide adequate provisions and opportunities for lifelong learning, re-training and attractive flexible roles to ensure that age and disabilities are not barriers to Islanders continuing to participate in an evolving job market.

Start building a new hospital at Overdale

We will start building our new hospital at Overdale during this term of office and continue to develop longer-term plans for replacing other healthcare facilities, which will include outpatient and day care services, mental health, and therapies provision.

Reduce GP fees

We have already reduced GP fees for people on the Health Access Scheme, and are planning to increase the subsidy for GP visits.

Implement the recommendations from the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce report

We will implement the Government-facing recommendations of the VAWG Taskforce report. This includes new commitments to law changes, improvements to data collection, and instigating new reviews of key services.

Transition to a living wage

We will commit to implementing the States Assembly decision to bring the minimum wage to two-thirds of the median wage by the end of this term of office. We will be providing a range of support to employers and employees, as needed, during this transition.

Provide more affordable homes for Islanders and more confidence for the rented sector

We will provide more confidence for the rental sector by implementing the new Rented Dwellings Licensing Scheme to ensure that rental homes are maintained to a decent and safe standard. We will introduce a new Residential Tenancy Law that will improve tenancy arrangements for both tenants and landlords.

Ministers will be focusing the Government’s development and planning resources on encouraging the building of more affordable homes for Islanders to buy or rent.

Keep government fees, duties and charges as low as possible to help Islanders with the cost of living in 2025

Reduce red tape, enhance opportunities for business and strengthen Jersey’s international reputation

We will reduce red tape and lower barriers across government, as recommended in the Barriers to Business report. As part of this, we will work with businesses to tackle private sector labour shortages where they are made worse by government policies or processes.

We will ensure a secure digital ecosystem with a new Cyber Security Law and strategy to attract investment and facilitate innovation.

We will also strengthen Jersey’s reputation as an attractive and competitive place to work and do business by providing incentives for businesses to be based here, following changes to the international tax regime.

Deliver a plan to revitalise Town

This will ensure Islanders benefit from the delivery of new homes, improvements to the Central Market and the Fish Market, enhancements to public spaces that support cycling and walking, and a new plan for public parking, all whilst protecting and enhancing St Helier’s unique character.

Reform the planning service to get Jersey building

We will reform our planning service to enable sustainable development in Jersey and the frictionless use of our existing laws and policies contained within the Bridging Island Plan. Changes will include developing and introducing a fast-track service process for minor applications and improving customer service throughout.

We will also deliver improved planning guidance and explore the relaxation of planning control to enable Islanders to undertake more work without the need for planning permission.

Meet the Island’s commitments to address the climate emergency through the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap

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