States Give Progress Report On Strategic Plan Objectives

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

21 April 2008

The latest update on progress towards implementing Jersey's Strategic Plan shows that over three-quarters of initiatives had been completed or were on track at 31st December, 2007.

Welcoming the news, Chief Minister Senator Frank Walker commented:

“With over 230 initiatives underway or completed, the Strategic Plan is a massive undertaking. It is a real achievement that, two years on, nearly a quarter have now been completed and that over half are on track."

"A number of initiatives are being incorporated into wider policy development or are subject to policy changes and this is reflected in some 13% of initiatives being slightly behind schedule with a further 9% seriously off track."

"These slippages are being closely monitored and every effort is being made to get them back on track. These should not detract from the excellent work that is being achieved across States departments to meet Strategic Plan commitments.”

Initiatives that have been completed or that are on track include:

Jersey’s international standing

• The signing of a protocol with the UK government, which supports further extension of the Island’s international personality and independence of action.

Training and skills

• Plans for the formation of the Skills Executive to help promote home grown skills among 14 to 19 year olds, help the unemployed return to work; and
• Extension of the undergraduate internship programme to encourage the return of Jersey students

Education

• New strategic partnership group to be established to advise Minister on future options for Early Years Strategy

Health

• Develop and implement a States of Jersey health improvement strategy – Health for Life

The Prison

• Project to complete the new Prison wing has commenced on time; and
• Opening of the Learning and Skills Centre at the Prison in December 2007 and increasing prisoners access to vocational and academic education.

Housing

• Introduction of a shared equity scheme for housing; and
• Programme underway to bring States-owned housing stock up to UK ‘decent homes standard’ by 2016.

Social security

• Introduction of a unified Income Support system that supports people in terms of need and promotes work.

Tax and finance

• Establishment of a Stabilisation Fund; and
• Phased reduction of tax allowances and reliefs for those with higher incomes in line with 20% means 20%.

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