The 1990’s saw a period of public and political debate on the need to reform the Island’s government. Subsequently the States of Deliberation (the States) decided to institute a formal review of the system of government and, in December 1998, established a Panel of respected and independent people from varied backgrounds under the Chairmanship of a local lawyer, (Advocate) Peter Harwood.

The ‘Harwood Panel’ published its report in November 2000 and this contained various options that were designed to encourage further public debate. The report was made widely available and a series of public meetings were held. A report was then prepared containing proposals put forward jointly by the former Advisory and Finance Committee and the former States Procedures and Constitution Committee. The States of Deliberation debated this report in May 2002. The principal outcomes of that debate were a general acceptance that the existing committee based system should be retained but significantly restructured and streamlined.

Detailed proposals for the new system and structures were debated and approved by the States in May 2003 and implemented on 1st May 2004. This has seen the replacement of 43 separate committees with a Policy Council, 10 departments and 5 ‘specialist’ committees.

Further information on the new machinery of government and the background leading up to the introduction of the new system is available by clicking on the links below.

Report by the Harwood Panel which was published in November 2000

Statement of Views of the Harwood Panel published in February 2001

Results from a Mori Poll of Public Opinion conducted in February 2002

Policy letter on the Machinery of Government debated by the States for 4 days in May 2002

The decisions made by the States in May 2002

Results from a Mori Poll of Public Opinion conducted in August 2002

Policy letter on the remuneration of States Members debate in January 2003

The decisions made by the States in January 2003

The remuneration of States members - pay review board - information pack

Policy letter on the future machinery of government debated by the States on the 14th, 15th and 16th May 2003

The decisions made by the States on the 16 May 2003

Policy Letter for debate at the October 2003 meeting of the States of Deliberation

The decisions made by the States on the 31st October 2003

Report of the Independent Pay Review Board on the remuneration of States Members