IN FULL: Constable Andy Jehan's resignation letter... and the Chief Minister's response

Sunday 26 November 2023

Dear Kristina, It is with a great deal of sadness that I write to inform you of my decision to resign from my post as Assistant Chief Minister, with immediate effect.

It has been an honour to serve as Vice Chair of the States Employment Board, working alongside a dedicated team behind the scenes to improve the Government's recruitment, accommodation and retention as well as its suspension and disciplinary procedures.

I firmly believe that real progress has been made and indeed was recognised just this week with our HR team gaining national recognition. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and am sad to leave at a time when further work is needed and underway to improve objectives and appraisals and to resolve the teachers pay dispute.

For the avoidance of doubt, my decision has nothing to do with the recent criticism, from some, about the Our Stars awards. I stand by the decision to recognise the great work done by staff across government and believe that this is a key component in retaining the dedicated and professional public service Jersey needs.

My decision to resign as Assistant Chief Minister has been a difficult one and not one that I have taken lightly. You will recall I offered to resign over the Advisory Health Board in May, as I had severe concerns over the planned process and significant cost of the Interim Chair. I was persuaded to stay on at the time, however with hindsight it was possibly not the right decision.

I continue to have severe concerns over Health. Whilst acknowledging the excellent work of the Interim Chief Officer and the Turnaround team, I am shocked and disappointed at the recent appointment of a fourth NED to the Health Advisory Board, a former senior manager in the HCS department, and the proposed extension of the Interim Chair's appointment. The latter a decision which many in the Council of Ministers, myself included, were only informed of on Thursday (23rd), when a draft Press Release was circulated. 

From November '22 to the end of October '23 the Government has paid in excess of £250,000 to the interim chair of the health advisory board and spent a further £73,000 on an independent recruitment agency tasked with recruiting to the Board.

You will be fully aware that the Health Advisor Board has only met twice during this same period and that despite the Jersey Appointments Commission recommending an 'excellent' candidate who had been through due process, the Health Minister decided against appointing a new candidate and the search for a permanent Chair continues. What reputational damage the failure to appoint such a had been through due process, the Health Minister decided against appointing a new candidate and high calibre candidate does to us, only time will tell.

Whilst acknowledging the progress that the Turnaround team are making, other areas in the Health service continue to cause concern, including:

• The decision to delay the debate on Assisted dying by at least six months, is something that I and many Islanders deeply regret.

• The Health Minister's reluctance to publicly endorse the plans for the New Hospital facilities is also regrettable and I fear could cause further delay.

• The lack of any coherent Health Strategy to provide strategic direction in this vital area.

You will recall the work I did with yourself and the former CEO, in ensuring that we had a Turnaround team in place and the regular constructive meetings we had with that team. I regret that shortly after raising concerns over the cost of the Health Advisory Board, I was no longer invited to these updates. 

Leadership is rarely easy. We often have to make decisions that are difficult, and my decision certainly falls into that category. However, leadership is also about authenticity meaning you must do what you believe to be right and having tried hard to compromise, I feel I have no option but to follow my instincts and stand up for what I believe is right, from both a personal and professional perspective.

When standing for election I promised parishioners that I would push for "value for money" and whilst I am happy to defend spends such as Our Stars, I cannot and will not defend what I believe to be the indefensible misuse of taxpayers money. Spending in excess of £320,000 and still not having a full Health Advisory Board is simply unacceptable.

I should say that It has been a pleasure to work with you and the Council of Ministers team and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity that you gave me to be your Vice Chair of SEB.

I am disappointed to be leaving a great set of Officers, people who are both professional and hardworking, but again my decision has to rise above any personal feelings and or loyalty. Having worked with you for many years, I have appreciated our ability to disagree on subjects, without it impacting on our ability to work together, something I hope that will continue.

Yours,

Andy

Andrew N Jehan FCILT, FIOD, FCMI

Connétable de St Jean

The Chief Minister's response...

Dear Andy

Thank you for your letter of 25th November 2023. It is with great regret and sadness that I accept your resignation as an Assistant Chief Minister.

We have known each other for many years, both professionally and personally, and when I was appointed as Chief Minister last July I was delighted that you agreed to serve as one of my Assistant Chief Ministers. You have brought your many years of experience – including as a fellow of the IoD – to the role of Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board ("SEB"), and I have always valued your advice and perspective. I believe we have made good progress in tackling many of the challenges we are facing with our HR processes in various departments, notably improvements to how we recruit, retain and develop our staff. You have always highlighted and promoted examples of good practice across the public service and have never been afraid to speak out and focus on areas where, as an organisation, we need to do better.

I am very much aware of the concerns you hold regarding the performance of our health service over recent years, which I share. We have a collective determination to deliver the improvements that are necessary. Your views on the leadership of the HCS Advisory Board – which we agree will be central to overseeing the progress we need – were known to the Council of Ministers. I respect that your decision to resign following the extension of the Interim Chair of the Board is a matter of principle for you. I regret that we have arrived at a position where your resignation on this matter has been required.

Your resignation is a loss to the Government. I very much hope that, in the months to come, we can continue to work together constructively on areas and issues where we share a focus and passion. I hope to continue to benefit from your knowledge and counsel, and my door is always open to you.

I know how much you care for your Parish and value your role as Connétable of St John. Throughout your time as an Assistant Chief Minister, you have always made sure that you appropriately balanced your ministerial work with your Parish duties. This has not always been an easy task, but it is one you achieved with aplomb.

I wish you every continuing success as Connétable of St John.

Yours sincerely,

Kristina

Deputy Kristina Moore

Chief Minister