Jersey Statistics Council Annual Report 2025

Foreword by the Chair

It has been a pleasure to take up my role as the first Chair of the Jersey Statistics Council. Setting up a new body is always a challenge and I have been fortunate to have been supported by an excellent body of Council members with a wealth of skills and experience and by staff from the Government of Jersey without whom the Council could not have got off the ground.

Official statistics matter. They inform decisions by government, businesses and others that affect us all. They help us to understand what is happening in society and they support accountability and transparency.

One of our most important roles is to gather and present the views of statistics users to the statistical system in Jersey. We are keen to ensure that the statistics available are useful, useable and used. It is our intention to achieve this by working constructively with producers of statistics in Jersey to encourage and support them in meeting the expressed needs of statistics users.

We have used the period since the Council was established to ensure that the Council is set up and organised in a way that will enable it to deliver. As we move into 2026 I look forward to engaging more directly with statistics users and with the statistical system as a whole.

The Council would not work without a strong set of Members who are willing to give up their time and commitment to support its work. I am grateful to all of our Members for their work.

Dr Kate Chamberlain

Chair of the Jersey Statistics Council 3 September 2026

About the Jersey Statistics Council

Amendments to the Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law 2018 created the new Statistics Council, in line with international guidance.

The primary functions of the Council are:

1. advising public authorities on the production, use, quality, relevance and integrity of the statistics they produce that describe, on a representative basis, the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation in Jersey; and
2. advising generally in relation to Tier 1 statistics.

But importantly we have specific responsibilities to

1. Gather and present the views of statistical users, and
2. Provide a neutral forum for statistics users to interact with the Chief Statistician; the Statistics Jersey team (being the Office of the Chief Statistician); and other producers of statistics in public authorities on the production, use quality, relevance and integrity of Tier 1 statistics,
3. Respect, uphold, and defend the independence of the Chief Statistician and the Jersey Statistical System.

The full functions of the Statistics Council in the Law and requirements for the publication of an Annual Report are set out in Appendix A.

The diagram above shows that the Statistics Council sits outside of the Jersey Statistical System with a general responsibility to oversee the Jersey Statistical System. The Council may use its annual report to report any concerns that it has in relation to the funding, resources and independence of the Chief Statistician and the Jersey Statistical System'. Under the amended Statistics Law the Chief Minister must provide the Statistics Council with adequate resources to carry out its functions.'

Importantly the Council operates within Rules of Conduct that require that the Council's work must serve the public interest, and that the Council shall operate independently of any political, commercial or personal interests. The full Rules of Conduct are attached at Appendix B.

Who we are

The Law provides that, in addition to the Chair, there are between six and ten members of the Statistics Council. Members are appointed by the Chief Minister with input from the Chair. Members of the Statistics Council, in the first instance, hold office for a term of three years subject to formal review at six months followed by annual review. On expiry of their term, they are eligible for re-appointment, subject to serving a maximum of three terms.

The Statistics Council was formed in May 2025 with the appointment of the Chair and the first eight members. Biographies for all members are included in Appendix C.

Dr Kathryn  Chamberlain  (Chair)  

Beverley  Greg  Bissett  Boyd  

Siobhan  Anya  Carey  van Heerden  

Rebecca  Duncan   Millar   Millar d  

Murray  Mark  Norton  Pragnell  

A Council Meeting in December 2025 reviewed the composition of the Council and concluded that the membership would be strengthened by recruiting an additional two members, with a particular interest in members with knowledge of and experience of living in Jersey, particularly those with an interest in statistics relating to health, education and/or public safety.

Recruitment for two additional members will take place in early 2026.

Council activity 2025

The Council was established part way through 2025. The Chair was appointed in May followed by the eight members of Council in June.

Initial activity has focused on putting the foundational knowledge and infrastructure in place to enable the Council to operate effectively. We

- held introductory and orientation meetings for all Council members in June and September including briefings on the statistical system in Jersey and current strengths and challenges

- created web pages on the Government of Jersey website and set-up a Li nkedIn account for the Council

- agreed the basic governance including Terms of Reference, Rules of Conduct and started work on the Framework Agreement governing our relationship with the Government of Jersey

- have held two formal meetings of the Council and ensured that the minutes of these are published on our webpage in line with legislation

- have begun to hold introductory meetings with stakeholders and users, including a meeting with the Chief Minister

- prepared for the recruitment of two additional members.

Council Meetings

Legislation states that the Council must hold formal Council meetings at least three times a year. This was not possible during 2025 as the Council only existed for seven months.

A total of four meetings were held during 2025 of which two were formal Council meetings. The first meeting on 30 June was an informal introductory meeting for new members. The second meeting on 22 September was induction and orientation training for the new Council. Formal meetings were held on 23 September and 10 December.

In addition to Statistics Council Members, the Chief Statistician and/or his Deputy attend all Council meetings in an advisory capacity.

In future years the Council will meet three times annually. One meeting per year will be held in Jersey.

Minutes from formal Council meetings are published on The Statistics Council web page as soon as possible after they have been approved.

Regular Agenda Items

The standard agenda of Council members continues to evolve, but generally each agenda includes the following:

• The Chair's report

• Items proposed for consideration by the Chief Statistician

• Progress reports on work initiated by the Council

• Review of the Council's overall priorities and workplan

• Council governance matters

In addition, it has been decided that before each formal Council meeting time will be made available for a workshop, or for detailed training and discussion on a topical issue.

Items considered by Council in 2025

During its first meeting in September 2025 the Council focussed on putting appropriate governance in place and on Chief Statistician items requiring an immediate steer from the Council. Specifically the Council:

• considered the proposed Rules of Conduct for the Council

• approved the Terms of Reference for the Council's operation

• considered the Code of Practice on Tier 1 Statistics

• considered and provided feedback on the initial list of Tier 1 Statistics

• took part in a workshop session to discuss how the Council should approach the delivery of its functions in the coming year.

At its second meeting on 10 December the most significant items that were considered by the Council were:

• the final list of Tier 1 statistics published following consultation

• a history of the funding for Statistics Jersey which will provide context for the Council's consideration of adequacy of funding, resources and independence of the Chief Statistician as required by its functions

• a draft workplan for the year ahead developed following the workshop at the previous meeting.

• initial thoughts on the best way to identify and manage engagement with statistical producers and users

Impact

The early activities of the Council are essential to ensure that the Council has a clear and proper understanding of its role. It is also essential at this early stage to ensure that Members are fully involved and committed to what the Council needs to deliver.

The Council will not be able to make a difference without the contribution of members outside of meetings. In 2025 Council members provided input to planning for the Jersey Children and Young People Survey and to the Jersey Opinions and Li festyle Survey. Work also began into looking at the availability of agricultural statistics.

The Council is keen to work in way that understands and represents user views and needs in a spirit of constructive challenge with the statistical community. We are using the term statistical community' in its widest sense to include both users and producers of statistics. The underlying philosophy is of supporting improvement.

It is too early for the Council to be able to demonstrate a tangible impact of its approach, but its work in 2026 is planned to begin addressing directly the key issues brought to its attention by the Chief Statistician and users.

Governance

Status

The Statistics Council is an independent body located within the Government of Jersey. It benefits from access to corporate systems including financial systems. It also receives administrative support from Government of Jersey employees to assist in delivering its functions. However, its independence is protected and the Council determines its own workplan and manages its own communications.

Resources

The Council has been allocated a budget of £74k. It relies on financial information derived from the Government of Jersey's systems, which are subject to oversight by the Cabinet Office and Treasury and Exchequer Department. Income and expenditure are monitored throughout the year, and variances are reviewed and addressed.

During 2025 the Council underspent by approximately £36k. This reflects that the Council was only operating for part of the year. Expenditure primarily relates to the costs of administrative support; remuneration of Chair and Council members; travel and subsistence for one on-island meeting.

Remuneration of Chair and Council Members

Members of the Council are required to attend formal meetings at least three times a year and the Chair may decide to hold additional formal or informal meetings. One meeting a year is held in Jersey.

Members receive an annual fee of £500 and the Chair is remunerated at £525 per day for up to 12 days work per year.

The time and commitment given by members to assist the work of the Council outside of meetings is crucial to ensure that the Council can deliver its functions.

Register of Interests

The Rules of Conduct for the Council require that:

• The Council shall operate independently of any political, commercial, or personal interests

• Members of the Council must avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts promptly

To support this, the Council maintains a Register of Interests. The Register records all relevant external interests, paid or unpaid, held by Council Members or their close family members. Council Members complete an annual declaration and must update it promptly if their circumstances change. At the start of every Council meeting, the Chair also invites Members to declare any interests relating to the agenda.

Appendix A - Functions of the Statistics Council

as listed in the Statistics and Census Law, at www.jerseylaw.je

Section 7E  Independence and functions of Statistics Council

1. The Statistics Council is independent of the [Chief] Minister and has the primary function of overseeing the Jersey Statistical System by –

1. advising public authorities on the production, use, quality, relevance and integrity of the statistics produced by the authorities that describe, on a representative basis, the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation in Jersey; and
2. advising any person or body in relation to Tier 1 statistics.[1]

2. The particular functions of the Statistics Council are –

1. to review, comment on and make recommendations to the [Chief] Minister, the States and the Chief Statistician about the statistics on which it advises with respect to the matters set out in paragraph (3);
2. to promote the standards for Tier 1 statistics;
3. to gather and present the views of statistics users;
4. to respect, uphold and defend the independence of the Chief Statistician and the Jersey Statistical System; and
5. to provide a neutral forum for statistics users to interact with the Chief Statistician, [Statistics Jersey] and other producers of statistics in public authorities on the production, use, quality, relevance and integrity of Tier 1 statistics.

3. The matters are –

1. the quality, relevance, and integrity of the statistics mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), including the extent to which those statistics are appropriate to the purposes for which they are used;
2. the range of statistics provided;
3. the demands placed upon providers of information, whether it be provided on a voluntary or compulsory basis;
4. the confidentiality of information concerning individuals and businesses;
5. the methodology by which those statistics are compiled and their resultant accuracy and reliability;
6. the independence of the compilation and dissemination process from political or other inappropriate influence;
7. the form and procedure through which statistical information is disseminated; and

8. the output and quality of statistics of the Chief Statistician, other producers of Tier 1 statistics and the Jersey Statistical System.

4. The Statistics Council may also –

1. give views and make recommendations to the [Chief] Minister on the appointment of the Chief Statistician;
2. consider any suspension or dismissal of the Chief Statistician;
3. comment on the [Chief Statistician's] annual report, plan for the output of [Statistics Jersey] and strategy for the JSS;
4. advise the Chief Statistician on –
   1. the contents of the Statistics Code of Practice,
   2. the list of Tier 1 statistics,
   3. the suspension of a statistical report from the list of Tier 1 statistics, and
   4. the criteria for reviews of Tier 1 statistics;
5. advise on the removal of a statistical report from the list of Tier 1 statistics; and
6. request the instigation of reviews.

5. The Minister must provide the Statistics Council with adequate resources to carry out its function.

Section 7F  Annual Report of Statistics Council

1. The Statistics Council must produce an annual report on its performance over the preceding financial year.
2. The report must

1. Include a review of the work undertaken and the functions discharged by the Statistics Council during that year; and
2. Set out why the work undertaken in that year is in the public interest

3. The Statistics Council may also use its annual report

1. To report any concerns that it has in relation to the funding, resourcing and independence of the Chief Statistician and the Jersey Statistical System; and
2. To reference a refusal of both the Chief Statistician and the Minister to instigate an extraordinary review of a statistical report listed as Tier 1 statistics under Article 7K

4. The Chair of the Statistics Council must present the report to the Minister as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year to which it relates
5. The Minister must present a copy of the report to the States as soon as practicable after receiving it
6. The minister may, by Order, amend the requirements set out in paragraph (2).

Appendix B - Rules of Conduct

From States Assembly | R.184/2025

Rules of Conduct

The Jersey Statistics Council is a key part of the Jersey Statistical System providing independent oversight of Jersey's key statistics. These Rules of Conduct ensure that the Council is able to protect the integrity and independence of Jersey's key statistics and applies to the Council as a body, and equally to individual members.

1. Public Interest The Council's work must serve the public interest, promoting the responsible use of statistics in policy and society.

• Members must avoid actions that could undermine public trust in the Council, or the statistical system.

2. Objectivity The Council must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
3. Independence The  Council  shall  operate  independently  of  any  political, commercial, or personal interests.

• Members of the Council must avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts promptly.

4. Accountability The Council is accountable to the public, to the States Assembly and to the Chief Minister for their recommendations, decisions, and  actions  and  must  submit  themselves  to  the  scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

• The  Council  must  act  and  take  decisions  in  an  open  and transparent manner.

5. Confidentiality The Council will respect the confidentiality of sensitive data. No Member will disclose confidential information without proper authorisation.
6. Compliance The Council must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, with standards  and ethical standards.

• Members must perform their functions on the Council in a professional and efficient manner.

7. Collaboration The  Council  values  diverse  perspectives  and  encourages and inclusivity  inclusive dialogue and collaboration.

• Members of the Council must foster an environment, where all voices and respected.

• Members  must  conduct  themselves  with  professionalism, respect and courtesy in all interactions

Appendix C - Member biographies

See also

• Appointment of Chair States Assembly | R.54/2025

• Appointment of eight Members States Assembly | R.90/2025

Beverley Bissett

Beverley Bissett is an experienced Informatics leader, who moved to Jersey in 2015 to head the Informatics Team in Heal th and Care Jersey. Many staff from that team have subsequently gone on to other roles in data teams across Government of Jersey, thus changing the data landscape significantly. Her leadership was recognised by the Bailiff of Jersey with an award for an exceptional contribution to the Island Community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beverley's previous roles include managing teams in the NHS and management consultancy as well as being a Research Officer at the UK Office for National Statistics. She has a MA in Psychology and a MSc in Public Heal th, along with a CMI qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership. She is an active volunteer with Girlguiding Jersey and Jersey Heritage.

Greg Boyd

Greg Boyd is a professional economist with 20 years of experience delivering data- driven, evidence-based analysis across the public and private sectors. He is currently a Senior Economist at Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) in the UK. Greg previously held economist roles in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Government of Jersey. He is an experienced user of official statistics from the UK, Jersey, and internationally.

Siobhan Carey

Siobhan Carey is a career analyst with experience gained in 3 statistical agencies as well as policy departments. Most recently she served as Chief Executive and Registrar General of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), retiring in 2023. She has worked across many disciplines covering international, social, economic, business and demographic statistics including the decennial population census. Her particular interests are survey methods and quality improvement methods.

Rebecca Millar

Rebecca was born and raised in Jersey. After a career in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) she returned to the Island in 2018 where she worked in the Island's External Relations Department and as Head of Local Economy.

Rebecca was appointed Director of Channel Islands Brussels Office in July 2022 where she provides strategic direction and guidance to the Channel Islands' relationship with the European Union.

Duncan Millar d

Duncan Millar d is an independent senior statistics consultant with over 30 years of experience across national and international statistical systems. His work spans official statistics at country level, international statistical coordination, training to build statistical capability at both individual and organisational level and applied work helping governments and organisations develop, disseminate, and use data more effectively - including on SDGs, NDCs, and policy monitoring frameworks.

He has held senior leadership roles as Chief Statistician at the International Energy Agency' as Chief Statistician at the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change and as National Statistician for the States of Jersey (between 2004 and 2007). Since 2019 he has worked independently supporting countries in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

Murray Norton

Murray Norton is Chief Executive of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce. In this role, effective engagement and negotiation are part of Murray's remit to promote trade, influence legislation and increase prosperity for members for the benefit of the Island.

Murray previously served as Deputy for St Brelade and Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture from 2014 to 2018. He was also responsible for Trading Standards and Consumer Affairs and the Channel Island Lottery, as well as sitting on the panel for the Housing and Work Advisory Group and the States of Jersey Privileges and Procedures Committee. Murray is a former business owner of retail businesses and restaurants, a BBC presenter for 22 years, including 10 years presenting TV programmes in the USA and across Europe.

Anya van Heerden

Anya van Heerden is a Senior Data Solutions Consultant with expertise in data analytics, risk management, and business intelligence across the public and private sectors. She holds a master's degree in Applied Mathematics and has a strong track record of delivering strategic data initiatives, improving data governance, and supporting evidence-based decision-making through analytical insight. Anya is passionate about promoting transparency, statistical quality, and the responsible use of data to inform decisions that benefit the wider community.

Mark Pragnell

With over 30 years' experience as a macroeconomist, forecaster and policy consultant, Mark Pragnell is managing director of Pragmatix Advisory, a UK-based boutique economics, strategy and policy research consultancy. Mark has a focus on island and rural economies. He has worked with island jurisdiction governments, promotional bodies and businesses in support of their economic development and has led research to explain and quantify the value of international finance centres, including Jersey's. He is chair of The Rural Coalition and English Rural Housing Association, and until recently independent governor of Writtle University College, Essex's land-based higher education institution.

[1] Tier 1 Statistics are defined under Article 7G of the Amended Statistics Law as those that satisfy the criteria under that

Article and appear on the list of Tier 1 statistics.