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A panel of politicians are pushing the Government to commit funding to a long-awaited plan to create a new body with 'teeth' for handling complaints against public authorities.
The idea of creating an independent public sector ombudsman was first approved in the States six years ago but faced delays during the pandemic and more recently following concerns about cost.
The latest push to create the role, which would provide a way for people to resolve complaints or address grievances arising from decisions or failures by public authorities, has come from the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.
Pictured: A Scrutiny Panel is seeking funding to review a plan, approved by the States six years ago, to create a public-sector ombudsman for handling complaints against public authorities.
The Panel is calling for funding to be allocated within the Government's spending plans to ensure the project continues to move forward and builds on the "significant" work already completed in preparation for the scheme.
Specifically, they are requesting that Government ministers consider and incorporate the findings of a Jersey Law Commission report, which looked into different choices for creating an independent complaints-handling body, along with the Complaints Panel's review of its own procedures.
Their proposal would also require the Government to make a firm decision next year on how public complaints should be handled in the future.
In a report accompanying the proposal, the Panel said: "The Panel wishes to bring this work-stream to the forefront and make it visible within the Budget 2025-2028.
"By doing so, the Amendment ensures that the significant level of work already undertaken, and progress made in respect of the Jersey Public Services Ombudsperson is not wasted."
Pictured: Concerns have previously been raised that the current States Complaints Board is seen as "toothless".
They added: "In addition to this, reflects within the Budget 2025-2028 the continuing work being undertaken in this area."
The idea of appointing an ombudsperson was in the Clothier Report in 2000, and was finally agreed to by the States in 2028 before work was delayed by the pandemic.
In 2022, the Government unveiled plans to establish the role, with then-Chief Minister Kristina Moore submitting instructions for the drafting of new legislation as part of her Council of Ministers' 100-Day Plan.
However, current Chief Minister Deputy Farnham told the States in April that the new Government was reconsidering the creation of the role in the face of fears it could cost more than £1 million a year – more than double the £400,000 originally planned.
He said he wanted to review the existing complaints system before making any commitments, suggesting there might be a middle ground between the current voluntary panel and a full complaints authority.
Guernsey has also been considering establishing an independent office to handle complaints against the public sector, although concerns have also been raised about the expense of such a role and the need for further review.
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