Lights, camera, now it’s time for action

There were some familiar themes – including a pledge for ‘action’ and ‘getting things done’.

Now the public has something against which to hold those words to account.

From civil service reform, to revamping the population policy, slashing red tape and the seafront development programme, there were touchstone issues that have long been on the States’ list and responsibilities divided up among his team to deliver.

What we do not know is what the actual vision is beyond these broad statements – just how does P&R want to address the civil service, what does transformation mean in terms of jobs, numbers, and terms and conditions, for example?

There is time for that and any pledge not to get bogged down, to achieve things and meet deadlines is to be welcomed.

There were, though, some key urgent priorities on which Deputy Ferbrache was silent. One was Brexit and protecting the island against damaging actions from the UK, including an attempt to have powers to legislate for us on fishing. Another was what P&R’s intentions are with the forthcoming Budget and solving some of the Gordian knot tax issues during an economic downturn.

The last committee handed over 406 pending action points, an indication of a snowballing agenda and something Deputy Ferbrache described as ridiculous. There is a signal to concentrate on what is achievable, although no word yet on what will be sidelined as a result.

P&R has pledged to be open and transparent with the public, to work closely with Jersey and the Isle of Man, to use bond money and revamp how the vast public sector funds are invested.

In three months’ time it will have drawn up a list of priority capital projects, including fast-tracking issues of clear public concern such as Fermain sea wall and the Cow’s Horn steps.

We have the short-term plan. The lights are on, the camera is rolling, now the action. We eagerly await the results.