It was profoundly depressing (in this week’s budget debate) to hear a succession of ministers argue for a CUT in the budget of the Children’s Commissioner on the basis of deeply misleading and flawed arguments. This is my speech arguing AGAINST a cut in the budget. The basis of the case against the budget cut … More A shameful performance in a dishonourable cause
It may not be fashionable, but I want to say a few words in defence of the Bridging Island Plan – the principle document setting out planning policies for Jersey – and to make a case for finding some common ground in the planning battlefield. Following the rejection of the planning application by Strive for … More The Island Plan – Finding Common Ground?
This week’s sitting of the States was marked by an unedifying spectacle as relations between ministers fell apart amidst considerable acrimony. The cause was a deep split in the government on the Housing Minister’s reforms to the Residential Tenancy Law (RTL). It is worth remembering that these proposals are official government policy – they were … More Ministers at war
On the morning of March 5th, islanders will recall that the airport was evacuated following receipt of a bomb scare. Thanks to the prompt and effective action of airport staff and the emergency services, the evacuation to Strive was efficient and once the threat had been assessed as not credible, the airport reopened at around … More The airport bomb scare: What a mess
UPDATE: Regrettably, the States voted 27:17 (with 2 abstentions) against the Proposition. Although, interestingly, since the vote the public reaction has been such that some members who did not support the Proposition are now saying they might support it, if it were to return. I confidently predict that it is only a matter of time … More Differential Pay for Ministers: Time for change?
What a disappointing response from the minister to the Hospital Review Panel’s report. He accuses the Panel (that I chair) of assessing the government’s business case for the new hospital facilities as if it were an NHS hospital, ignoring the Jersey context. This might be a more valid criticism if the government hadn’t gone out … More Hospital Review Panel
The credibility of Planning in Jersey depends on many things, but one of the most important is the idea that no one gets special treatment. It is for that reason that I have been asking questions about the Environment Minister’s recent decision to change planning guidance regarding large properties (greater than 3000 square feet/279 square … More How the super wealthy got to write their own planning guidance
There’s been a lot of stuff said recently along the lines that Jersey is being strangled by red tape and therefore we need to reduce regulation – whether that’s regulations that affect business or civil society. Cutting red tape is one of the government’s priorities in their “Common Strategic Policy” and ministers frequently talk about … More Why Jersey Needs Regulation to Thrive as a “Safe Harbour”
The JEP highlighted the issue of redundant glasshouses yesterday, following recent supplementary planning guidance (SPG) on the issue*. Here are some thoughts on how the issue might be resolved. First, redundant glasshouses are not “brownfield” sites, they are agricultural land with temporary structures. From a planning point of view, the default position is that once … More Glasshouses: a way forward
https://youtu.be/hUbOUmVr_mo We’re now half way through this term of office, so this is a good moment to take stock. Two years ago I went into the Assembly full of ambition, an agenda for change and hope for the future. How has it turned out so far? MENV and out It’s very much a story of … More Mid term report
Jonathan Renouf 