Jersey States Members Discuss Strategic Plan

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

31 December 2008

The Jersey government revealed recently that States Members are beginning the process of putting together the Strategic Plan, Jersey's blueprint for the next three years.

The Strategic Plan outlines the direction that the government will take, its key objectives and priorities for the Island.

Arrangements began with a meeting on December 22 involving Ministers and Assistant Ministers, but the overall development of the plan is to involve contributions from all States Members, and a number of workshops have been organised in early January.

Chief Minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur explained that:

“The Strategic Plan will set the direction of States policy from 2009 to 2011 and it will be a key tool for holding the Council of Ministers to account. It’s essential that we engage all States Members and that they are fully involved in the planning process so that their views can be taken into account when the Council of Ministers puts together the framework for the Strategic Plan.”

A briefing for States Members will be held on January 6, which will be attended by members of the Fiscal Policy Panel and will set the economic background and forecasts for the next three years.

Earlier in December, Senator Le Sueur delivered his final budget speech as Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Le Sueur spoke about how the economic crisis had affected Jersey’s economy, and stated that the authorities would use tax measures to stimulate growth in the unlikely event of a recession on the island, observing that:

“Some countries have effectively gone bankrupt and had to be bailed out by the International Monetary Fund. The UK and America, already deep in debt, are going even deeper. Some neighbouring countries don’t have the tax revenues to fund even their basic public services."

“In contrast, Jersey has none of these problems. We are in a far better position to weather the storm ahead then any of our neighbours. We have no debt. We have no deficits. We have substantial reserves. And, because the States had the courage and foresight to reform our tax structure, we will have the tax revenues to continue to fund our schools and hospitals, pensions for the elderly and benefits for those in need. And, when the need arises, we will still have funds to invest during any recession.”

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