Policy Centre programme for 2025

Building on the success of last year, Policy Centre Jersey’s ambitious programme for 2025 is already underway. There have been two excellent discussion sessions so far: On 11 ^th February, Restoring Trust in Politics with input from Lord Gus O’Donnell, former Head of the UK Civil Service, and more recently, an in depth round table discussion on Secondary Education with input from Deputy Catherine Curtis, Chair of the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

On Friday 7 March, the Centre is hosting a discussion session to share the results of its recent survey on the people’s views on the ‘Major Issues facing the Island’.

The Centre is also planning projects or discussion sessions on topics such as:

• Reducing red tape – one of the Government’s priorities.
• The implications of the ageing society.
• A more detailed session on secondary education.
• The role of Constables in the States Assembly (which is linked to the Centre's recently issued paper on the potential reintroduction of Senators).

More detail on the Centre's activities so far is set out in its new monthly Newsletter.

In announcing its programme, the Chair of the Policy Centre, Alan Merry, has raised a serious concern over its future, warning that if the Centre is unable to attract sufficient funding, then it will cease to operate.

“In less than two years the Policy Centre, the Island’s only Think Tank, has become firmly established as a source of authoritative research and analysis on all the key issues facing Jersey. It is contributing to a better-informed policy-making process which is of material value to the Island.

This has been generally accepted within Government and business. However, the Centre requires ongoing funding to continue in operation. To date, our research and publications have been produced on a voluntary basis. This is not sustainable, and clearly, we cannot expand our work without the necessary resources.

UK think tanks are largely funded by donations from government bodies, foundations, businesses and individuals. We hope to persuade businesses that the work of the Centre is essential to the Island and benefits them, their staff and the wider community. If we are unsuccessful in this respect, then the Centre will reluctantly have to stop operating.”

Further information for Editors:

Research and publications

The Centre’s objective is to support effective policy making with better outcomes for the people of the Island by increasing knowledge about and civic engagement in Jersey. Its research and publications are central to this objective.

The Centre’s 23 Policy briefs provide succinct up-to-date information on specific policy areas. They are updated as new information becomes available.

The 14 papers in the Jersey Knowledge Centre provide basic information on all aspects of the Island (history, geography, constitution, the parishes, political system, population, economy etc).

Events and Discussion meetings

The Centre’s regular events and discussion meetings have been well attended and constructive. To date these sessions have covered:

• Energy policy
• Becoming a digitally advanced economy
• Taxi provision and regulation
• Secondary Education
• Should Jersey have a its own University
• Effectiveness of Government Public Consultations
• Social mobility and housing
• Low income
• Ageing population
• Election – low voter participation
• Healthcare

Organisation and Management

The Centre is non-profit making and a registered charity, governed by a Management Committee.

Phil Romeril, one of the Founders of the Centre, is standing down to concentrate on other activities. He is succeeded on the Management Committee and as Secretary of the Centre by Siobhan O’Sullivan, Global Head of Sales Enablement at IQ-EQ. Jing Jing Shi, Director of Operations at Advisa Wealth and Economic Adviser to IOD Jersey, has joined the Committee.

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