Jersey government 'must improve project risk management'

In 2022 the Government of Jersey spent nearly £100m on capital and major projects

The government has more to do to demonstrate that major and strategic projects deliver value for money, a report has found.

The comptroller and auditor general (C&AG) Lynn Pamment reviewed four projects set up since 2020.

Her report found there were good frameworks in place but more was needed to identify, manage and monitor project risks more effectively.

In 2022, the government spent nearly £100m on capital and major projects.

Ms Pamment said: "Going forward the challenge for government is ensuring compliance with the good practice frameworks that have been established for major and strategic projects, including capital projects.

"Key to this will be education, training and the reinforcement of a culture across the Government that understands that project delivery is not an end in itself.

"It is instead a means to an end, which is to provide wider benefit to the residents of Jersey.

"Improving the way in which benefits realisation is identified, recorded and monitored will be critical in demonstrating that the programme of major and strategic projects, including capital projects, delivers value for money."

Mental health improvements

The Government Plan 2023 to 2026 includes investment of almost £400m in capital and major projects, excluding investment in new healthcare facilities.

The projects reviewed were the office accommodation project, the replacement Bellozanne sewage treatment works, the combined fire and ambulance station and mental health improvements at Orchard House.

The C&AG noted that, more generally, the link between risks and business cases could be improved.

Ms Pamment noted that clearly understood service level agreements should be established to "avoid confusion over departmental responsibilities and accountabilities".

She also identified there was scope to "improve the identification, recording and monitoring of benefits realisation on individual projects".

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