Reflections on Public Accounts Committee

MOTIVES FOR JOINING PAC

When I joined the Public Accounts Committee as an independant-member (Not a Politician) I did so because I understand a bit about the challenges of government, governance, projects and change that Jersey is currently contemplating.

For better or worse I was project manager for the successful incorporations of the Post Office, Harbours and Airport and have a good understanding of the public and private sector and the process and challenges of moving from one to the other.

I have also a chunk of experience in finance, commercial and retail through business change projects for NatWest and RBSI, working with SMEs, and with what was Le Riches Group and now Sandpiper.

So my motives are based interest and experience and a desire to listen, learn, and contribute based on experience and expertise.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

I started with the idea of blogging and tweeting a lot. But now feel that to make personal comments on people in a public forum rather than factual comments on processes in a professional forum is perhaps not the best approach.

I think it is better to focus on the process, standards, data and facts than focus on the people. By citing recognized standards we perhaps have a better chance of motivating the right behaviors than if our comments appear as personal criticisms.

Frankly this can be hard because at times the frustration is personal (and sometimes passionate). However the professional thing to do is be objective and precise with facts, figures and processes.

In a small community it is inevitable that personalities dominate, because they are colourful and more interesting than the dull elements of operational change. The problem however is when challenge over process becomes criticism of personality.

We need to be careful to avoid people defending their position rather than advancing the objective. A stronger focus on process and outcome rather than person and responsibility is more likely to yield success.

CHALLENGES FOR 2019

I having experienced public sector change I have both sympathy and empathy for those involved.

There is a quote by Churchill "When going through hell, it is important to remember to keep going"

The most important initial step therefore is to listen and learn, to understand and appreciate. People are more inclined to be honest about challenges and accepting of suggestions when they don't feel threatened.

My aim for 2019 will be to be a critical friend, to help with observations and comparisons, contributions and ideas that will provide us the government and public sector that we want, and our politicians have promised us.

The Public Accounts Committee runs for the period of the Assembly. That's 4 years, and 16 quarterly updates from States Chief Executive and his Team.

There is no doubt that this will be a challenging period but we should not judge too soon, but instead examine the process. If we see 16 quarterly updates of incremental improvement based on process then we have hope that change is both positive and sustainable.