TheyWorkForYou

Here are the answers I gave to questions from TheyWorkForYou:

What is your full name?

Geraint Robert Jennings

Why are you standing as a candidate in this election?

Having been an elected member of the Roads Committee of Saint Helier for almost 20 years and for the past 2 years Procureur du Bien Public, I have come to believe that for the Parish to thrive and develop efficiently and responsively in the decades to come, new legislation is required for a modernised municipal administration with bye-law making powers, devolution of powers from the States to the Parish, better co-ordination of policies, and clearer government undistracted by municipal concerns. Central government needs to concentrate on legislation, strategy & future-proof framework. I can help focus on what is important for reform as well as balancing that with a concern for environment, heritage & quality of life.

What does being a politician mean to you?

It means engaging with the community in an effective way and being able and willing to make choices. Choices need to be made on the basis of principles & consultation. In a representative democracy, representatives need to make decisions that the public as a whole wants but is unable to devote the time to working through.

What specific aspects of your experience and background would make you an effective politician?

My experience in local government dealing with bread-and-butter street-level issues such as transport, parks, business needs, recycling, planning, urban questions, liquor licensing, and since being elected Procureur du Bien Public helping to oversee the Parish's multi-million pound annual budget and applying my experience to questions of legal responsibility, contract & negotiation. I have scrutinised, questioned, examined, argued and persuaded in the Roads Committee and Parish Assemblies, being always answerable to the electorate.

Describe the core values that guide your actions and the way you wish to work with your fellow politicians.

"I believe in practical policies for quality of life: balancing what is achievable, what can be implemented with the principle that we need a sustainable environment, opportunities for all, a living culture, and a fair standard of living for everyone.
I think that one can get a lot done in politics provided one doesnt mind who gets the credit. I prefer to persuade and convince others to take on board things that I think are the right things to do, rather than to struggle on alone in order to take the credit (not that Im necessarily against having a bit of credit sometimes). I like to question and am not bothered by asking the idiot questions that need to be asked in the interests of good administration rather than making assumptions."

List ALL positions (paid, voluntary, honorary) you currently hold.

I am employed at LOffice du Jèrriais to teach and promote Jèrriais (and am consequently a committee member of Le Congrès des Parlers Normands et Jèrriais)
I am elected as Procureur du Bien Public of the Parish of Saint Helier (honorary) and ex officio sit on various committees, attend Roads Committee, and according to the provisions of the law stand in for the Connétable in case of absence or incapacity.
I am a trustee of the Saint Helier Youth and Community Trust (honorary)

What conflicts might arise with your other roles if you are successful in this election and how would you address them?

I would leave my job at LOffice du Jèrriais but there have been discussions as to whether I would be able to undertake a few hours a week employment on a freelance basis to supply training, examination services, and other projects. Accepting a political rôle regarding education or culture would limit my availability for such employment.
As far as I am aware, the office of Deputy is incompatible with the oath of office of Procureur du Bien Public and the Royal Court would order a bye-election to replace me in that post. If it should turn out that no legal incompatibility exists, I would anyway seek to step down as Procureur.
I do not believe there would be any conflict with carrying on as trustee of the Saint Helier Youth and Community Trust.

What areas would you invest in, using funds from Jersey's taxpayers, to secure a strong future for Jersey?

"Education and technology are the areas that would meet both existing and future challenges in terms of adaptability and resilience. Although digital communication and transaction will be ever more important, transport links need to be maintained for both passengers and goods; if investment with partners (carriers, ports, airports, governments & authorities in other countries) would achieve reliable, resilient and potentially profitable routes, then that needs to be explored.
We have unique culture, heritage and a precious environment to maintain: we will not be able to pass this on without using public funds."