The Information and Technology leads of the three Crown Dependencies met in Guernsey last week.
The Isle of Man's Director of Government Technology Services Mark Lewin and Deputy Director Andy Williams were hosted by Guernsey's Chief Information Officer, Colin Vaudin and Director of ICT, Dr Jane Wonnacott. Together with Jersey's Director of Information Services, Ian Webb and e-Government and Business Change Director, Jonathan Williams they held a series of discussions on 24-25 March.
The agenda covered subjects such as the opportunities and challenges in areas of public service delivery including e-education and e-health, the use of new and emerging technologies, building and using better business intelligence and management information, connectivity and cyber-security.
Mark Lewin said:
'Whilst it is clear all three islands are at different stages in our respective journeys, we share a common passion and goal to maximise the delivery of digital services that enable our public services to deliver more for less. The forum was an excellent opportunity to discuss common issues, challenges and of course the significant opportunities that digital services offer and was very timely in feeding into the construction of our new Digital Strategy.'
The meeting follows other Crown Dependencies meetings that have taken place already in the first quarter of 2015 – between the three government Chief Executives, the three Health departments, and the three Education Departments. Guernsey's Chief Minister also met with Jersey's Chief Minister and Assistant Chief Minister and the Isle of Man's Treasury Minister in London earlier this month.
Colin Vaudin, Guernsey's Chief Information Officer, said:
'The opportunity to discuss our shared challenges, potential solutions and the lessons we have learned is invaluable. All three of our governments are looking to transform the way that we deliver public services in a more inclusive, responsive and efficient way – in Guernsey as part of our Smart Guernsey work. These are not theoretical discussions that we have been having – the meeting and the joint collaboration is about sharing knowledge and resource to deliver better public services.'
Ian Webb, Jersey's Director of Information Services, said:
'Over the past two days we have discussed a number of areas of common interest; some are at different stages and some have different drivers, but where there is absolute synergy is the drive to make a difference to our public services, and the opportunity that digital services present in making them better. The potential to join forces, where appropriate, is a fantastic opportunity to exploit common solutions across all three jurisdictions.'
Paul Whitfield, the Chief Executive of the States of Guernsey, said:
'It is clear that all three of the Crown Dependencies' governments have similar challenges and similar opportunities in terms of public service delivery. The working relationship between the three Crown Dependencies being strengthened in these ways can only be beneficial as we look to share expertise, resources and lessons learned.'
