Jersey senior civil service pay to be reviewed

The Public Accounts Committee has asked for an independent review

There will be an independent review of the salaries of senior civil servants in Jersey.

The public accounts committee have asked for the review to be carried out by Comptroller and Auditor General Chris Swinson.

Senator Ben Shenton, chairman of the committee, said it had come about after public outrage to recent disclosures of public sector salary packages.

He said: "An independent investigation of the issues raised is required."

Senator Shenton said he understood there was a need for the States of Jersey to pay competitive salaries to attract "high calibre" people to the island.

But he said: "It is important that the checks and balances are in place to ensure value of money."

There are a number of high profile public service appointments expected to be made this year and Senator Shenton wants to find out whether problems exist with remuneration packages.

He said: "If they do, [we need to] formulate solutions that comprehensively address all of the issues raised."

The public accounts committee is a government body responsible for improving the efficiency of States' departments.