‘States deputies should interfere if needs be’ - Queripel
To interfere, or not to interfere... that is the question that Deputy Lester Queripel has been asking States departments over the past few weeks.
New prospective politicians are likely to be advised that they should stay out of operational issues and concentrate on policy matters.
However, Deputy Queripel believes that he and his colleagues should step in when they see something that could be changed or improved.
‘If a deputy can see where something should be improved, why shouldn’t they?' he said.
‘Being a deputy is a responsible position, and there are two reasons why deputies should be involved, one, making the changes to improve operations that would benefit the community, and two, deputies get the blame when things go wrong, and they need to step in and suggest a solution.'
He admitted that it was something that he had done himself when he had sat on committees, and he did not see a problem with deputies getting involved in operational matters.
‘I think it is important to clarify their views so every candidate in the next election knows what the views of each committee is and what to expect,’ said Deputy Queripel.
‘It is vitally important for those standing and I don’t think it is ever too late to clarify.’
But committee responses to his formal written questions identified that the deputy was in the minority.
E&I said that the committee’s approach was that politicians should focus on policy-making and the public service’s role was to deliver against that policy.
It does not get involved in operational matters but has oversight of their delivery.
Home Affairs said that committee members could engage with officers to seek clarification on how operational responsibilities had been discharged, or wanted to raise operational matters on behalf of constituents, which would be done with the operational service lead.
The Development & Planning Authority said that given the nature of its mandate, it was inevitable that some operational matters may be brought to the committee’s attention by members from time to time, but they were then dealt with by planning service officers.
‘While it is inappropriate for there to be close political involvement in day-to-day operational matters, particularly given the highly specialist and clinical nature of many of its services, to support the committee in its assurance role, a suite of management reports are provided on a regular basis,’ said HSC.
‘This allows members to monitor performance across the organisation and discuss key issues as necessary.’
The States Assembly and Constitution Committee said it did not have an approach on this issue as the committee did not have any significant operational matters.