Soulsby and Gollop want options for public services ombudsperson

The previous Policy & Resources Committee wanted to scrap the idea on grounds of cost, but two members of its successor, Heidi Soulsby and John Gollop, want to give the States choices.

Deputy Soulsby described the move as a ‘technical amendment’ to open up the previous directive to the States, that in the current financial climate, establishing a public services ombudsperson was not a priority use of resources and should not be pursued further.

‘As things stand, if the States don’t support the proposition, it leaves a vacuum,’ said Deputy Soulsby.

The amendment adds that if the appointment of an ombudsperson is rejected, it should be revisited as part of a planned review of finances in 2026, or members should agree to proceed with the establishment of a public service ombudsperson in conjunction with Jersey. If both these proposals are rejected, the States will look to establish a Guernsey-only public services ombudsperson during the next political term from June 2025.

Costs for a pan-island operation are estimated at about £170,000, rising to more than £200,000 for a Guernsey-only body.

Deputy Soulsby said that the committee, by a majority, agreed that establishing an ombudsperson should be considered at a later date, given States financial constraints.

Deputy Soulsby said that Jersey was currently putting legislation in place for an ombudsperson and costings would need to be agreed if the States went down that route.

The matter will be debated by States members next week.