CAREER
I took up the position of Chief Executive at the Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau in November, 2010.
VOLUNTARY WORK
Honorary Police
I have undertaken voluntary work when I served as a Centenier for the Parish of St Helier from 1997 to 2001, a position that I found both challenging and rewarding.
Road Safety
Between 1997 and 2007 I was actively involved in providing compulsory basic training to inexperienced motorcyclists. This activity has significantly contributed towards reducing accidents amongst novice riders by teaching safe road skills, identifying hazards and improving traffic awareness.
Liberation Day Celebrations
For the last ten years I have been actively involved in the organisation and co- ordination of the Liberation Day celebrations. This is a special day for the whole Island and an event that I always look forward to with pride. I consider myself fortunate to be able to play a part in making sure that the event runs smoothly.
Employment Forum
Since October, 2011, I have had a seat on the Employment Forum and currently hold the position of Deputy Chairman for that organisation. The role of the Employment Forum is to act in a non-political arena as a consultative body. It has a duty to consult on the rate of the minimum wage and other employment related issues as directed by the Minister. The forum must report back to the Minister with recommendations on each issue, based on the views received in consultation.
Jersey Access to Justice Review
Expert Group Member - The Jersey Access to Justice Group Review will consider the structure, format and funding of legal aid, while seeking to improve access to justice and deliver value for money in the use of public funds. I was delighted to be invited to join this group and to represent the Bureau’s interests in this important piece of work. This is a far reaching review that will hopefully have a positive impact on all those seeking access to the justice system in Jersey.
“In my current role, I regularly liaise with States Departments and politicians to highlight the real issues that affect Islanders’ lives.”
My career background has given me real experience of a wide range of subjects and it began with a period of time in the finance industry, where I gained a qualification in financial planning. I then moved into the Civil Service and worked at the Social Security Department, having responsibilities for fraud and compliance. After obtaining a qualification in the Data Protection Law, I went on to become the Department’s Data Protection Officer. I also studied for a qualification in the Freedom of Information Law at this time.
In my current role, I regularly liaise with States Departments and politicians to highlight the real issues that affect Islanders’ lives. I also campaign for social change and seek to influence policy makers by suggesting real solutions to these problems, thus improving island life for all its citizens.
INTRODUCTION
My name is Malcolm Ferey. I am standing as an independent senatorial candidate in these elections because I believe that the skills and abilities that I have gathered throughout my career will stand me in good stead to make a difference to the way that the Island is governed. I am a 49 year old Jerseyman, married to Beverley. We have two grown-up daughters of whom we are justifiably proud and our home is in the Parish of St Saviour.
I set out below my career path and interests along with my pledge to you the voting public, all of which I hope will help you to consider me for one of your votes on 15th October, 2014.
My PLEDGE
The following are my views on the main issues that affect us all. If elected, I would reflect these values in both my actions and voting habits.
I have campaigned successfully on many social issues and regularly make comment to various media outlets and put pressure on policy makers to help bring about real change that affects the lives of ordinary Islanders. My work as the Chief Executive of the Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau has taught me so much about the problems that people living in this Island face on a daily basis.
I believe that in the past our government has focused on personalities and personal views, rather than what is in the best interests of the island as a whole. My politics are centred on keeping in touch with the issues that affect the ordinary islander and professionalism in delivering the appropriate solutions.
ECONOMY
We are hopefully seeing the end of one of the deepest, darkest recessions that the Island has ever experienced. Whilst tough decisions have had to be made around fiscal policy, when we return to balanced books, the Jersey taxpayer needs to be shielded from any increase in taxes. Small business in particular needs to be nurtured and I would support any initiatives that would help new businesses that are starting up and seeking new opportunities for growth.
IMMIGRATION
It is, of course, important that we continue to pull out of this recession and there will naturally be sectors that rely on workers from outside of the Island. However, it does not make sense to continue to import labour whilst unemployment remains so high. This is simply bad economics. We need a clear and robust immigration policy which can be properly enforced in order to be able to define a way forward.
GOVERNMENT REFORM
I believe that the Island-wide mandate is a valuable position in the Assembly and the loss of the senatorial post would deny the electorate a tier of politicians who have the will of the whole Island. I support the Connétables having a seat in the States as I think that they bring a unique and stabilising quality to the House. This is something about which we should think very carefully before we abandon this well established tradition. However, the referendum question on this matter will be voted on by the public on polling day and I will respect the public’s views on this matter.
EDUCATION AND yOUNG PEOPLE
More and more young people appear to be disenfranchised from our community. Whilst this appears to be a national problem, having two young daughters, I find it extremely upsetting when I hear of a teenager who has tried to harm her or himself, or worse. In my experience the root of these problems can very often be identified, at an early stage, through the education system and I would like to see more engagement and support through schools to let young people know that help is available and that there are solutions to their problems.
SOCIAL SECURITY
If I am elected, I would like to put myself forward for a Ministry and Social Security would be my first choice, not least because I spent twelve years working in that Department and understand the inner workings of the benefits system, unemployment assistance, return to work schemes, minimum wage mechanisms, family friendly proposals, the long-term care scheme and discrimination legislation.
It is clear that there are financial pressures on the ring-fenced Social Security Fund and that in the very near future tough decisions may have to be made to preserve the long term future of the Fund. I would want to make sure that any such remedies are necessary and realistic.
SOCIAL AND PRIVATE RENTED hOUSING
The formation of Andium Homes will hopefully be part of the transformation that we need to lift our social housing structure to new levels of professionalism and provide better management of the Island’s social housing stock and tenants’ needs in the future. This company will need to be monitored to ensure that the social housing stock is brought up to, and maintained at, decent homes standard levels.
Private rented housing still accounts for over 20% of our population and this group of people have, until recent changes in legislation, been a neglected part of the community in terms of protection. I would want to ensure that a tenants’ deposit protection scheme and condition reports are properly implemented in order to give people in rented accommodation the rights that they deserve.
TAX AND GST
If a convincing proposition to remove GST from food and clothing were lodged in the new house, I would support it. Too many families and individuals who can least afford it are struggling as a result of this tax being levied on life’s basic and essential items.
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Environmental concerns are an issue for the whole world and even as a small island, we are not immune from the effects of climate change. We must be seen to be doing our bit in terms of reducing energy consumption and making our future building projects as energy efficient as possible. I would also like to see more sympathetic development and re-development, in line with the existing surroundings. Building out of a recession is a proven method of growing the economy but it should no longer be to the detriment of the natural beauty of our Island.
HEALTH
The plans for a dual facility hospital present a huge challenge for Health and Social Services. There has been wide consultation on this matter and it is clear that the plans have been well crafted. However, I would like to see that the plans have been properly scoped out and scrutinised in relation to the overall cost of this project as a development of this magnitude could spiral out of control if
the budget holders and developers are not held closely to account. This is the biggest expenditure that the Island has ever faced and we owe it to the taxpayer to ensure that the end result of a £297M spend from the Strategic Reserve is exactly what we anticipated.
LAW AND ORDER
The Home Affairs Minister has had to make some tough decisions in the last Assembly and the introduction of tasers was something that I would have supported, if I had been pressing the voting buttons. Thankfully, situations where tasers would need to be deployed are rare, but I feel that we have a duty of care to protect our Police when we expect them to deal with potentially hazardous situations. Non-lethal methods of subduing an alleged offender are an essential part of the equipment required to effect a safe arrest on some occasions.
Having spent some time serving as a Centenier for the Parish of St Helier, I understand the pressures faced by the Honorary Police. Training, consistency in decision making, professionalism and treatment of first offenders are areas that require special attention if we are to maintain this vital community service to our Island.
Thank you for reading my pledge. I trust this has helped you to see that I am worthy of one of your votes on polling day. With your support I should like to be one of the new faces entering the Chamber in the next political term.
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Malcolm Ferey@MalcolmFereyMalcolm Ferey
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