The move follows a series of pay awards for the directors of a number of such bodies, including Andium Homes and JT, which have sparked public debate.
Announcing the review, the Jersey Audit Office has published a document stating: ‘Citizens legitimately expect that remuneration, and terms and conditions of employment of those providing public services, are transparent, and the total remuneration of noards and similar bodies is justified.’
Earlier this year it was revealed the pay of Andium Homes’ chief executive Ian Gallichan had increased from £150,000 in 2016 to £189,000 in 2017, while the company’s finance director, John Hamon, saw his pay rise from £120,000 to £141,000.
JT chief executive Graeme Miller’s pay package increased from £346,000 to £363,000, while Jersey Water chief executive Helier Smith’s rose from £174,000 to £188,000.
The review will look at JT, Jersey Post, Jersey Electricity, Jersey Water, Andium Homes, Ports of Jersey, Jersey Development Company, Visit Jersey and the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
It will investigate exactly how much the non-executive and executive directors of these organisations earn, what systems are in place for the States to oversee pay packages, and how transparent the arrangements are.
Comptroller and Auditor General Karen McConnell will also look at how similar arrangements work in other jurisdictions, and will bring in an outside consultant to interview States staff about how things currently work.
It highlights the limited powers of the Jersey Appointments Commission, adding: ‘Although the Jersey Appointments Commission oversees the process for appointment of certain States appointees and members of some independent bodies, it has no role in relation to remuneration or terms and conditions of the non-executive and executive members of such bodies.’
Work to gather evidence has just begun with the final report due to be published before the end of next year.
