Policy & Resources announced the appointment last week of five locally-based specialists, who will work under the chairmanship of Deputy Marc Laine, to advise the States’ senior committee as it picks up the pieces of a series of IT disasters.
An expert panel was first recommended 18 months ago by the Scrutiny Management Committee when it produced a damning review of the States’ 10-year, £200m. IT contract with Agilisys, which has since been terminated. But the idea was taken up only after the revelations of the wasted spend on the MyGov customer services platform which provided virtually no benefits, despite costing an estimated £21m., and chief executive Boley Smillie’s intentions to investigate.
‘Before anything else, the panel will want to understand the landscape clearly and form their own view of where the most pressing needs sit,’ said Deputy Laine.
‘That means establishing a clear, honest baseline from which everything else follows. Warts and all briefings are a must. Without that, any plan risks addressing the visible rather than the critical.’
The panel has no decision-making powers but it has been guaranteed extensive access to information and staff and complete independence to advise P&R and senior civil servants, including Ge Drossaert, who has held the post of chief digital and information officer for the past two years.
‘The panel will play a key role in supporting political decision-making and ensuring that public sector IT remains secure and resilient and delivers lasting value for money,’ said the senior committee.
It has been asked to advise on issues such as IT infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, the States’ relationship with suppliers, and the adoption of new digital services.
In a column in today’s Guernsey Press, Deputy Laine set out the type of work which he expected his new advisory panel to carry out, but said its priorities would be known only after its first few meetings later this month and may also be influenced by any specific requests from P&R.
Deputy Laine has previously called for the creation of two new roles – a chief technology officer and a chief information security officer – to work alongside the chief digital and information officer.
He said they were no less necessary following the appointment of his new advisory panel.
‘Panel members are experienced practitioners giving their time in an advisory capacity,’ he said.
‘They are closer in nature to a non-executive function than an executive one, offering scrutiny, challenge and guidance rather than carrying operational responsibility.
‘That contribution is genuinely valuable, but it is not a substitute for P&R having strong technology leadership capability within its own senior ranks.’
The five members of the panel recruited by Deputy Laine are Bert Pereira, Richard Field, Richard McDermott, Richard Holmes and Richard Alberg.
‘We have secured expertise from a range of sectors to provide input into this crucial piece of work, which impacts how the States delivers essential services to the community,’ said Deputy Laine.
‘I am delighted with the outcome of our recruitment drive and look forward to starting our work.’