Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston has raised “significant concerns” about a Tynwald committee report scrutinising his department’s executive agency model.
Tynwald’s Economic Policy Review Committee was heavily critical of the department, saying it had “failed to meet any” of the objectives set when the model was created in 2017.
In his response, Mr Johnston said the conclusions were “questionable” because they were based on an “incorrect understanding” of the model’s purpose.
The committee had presented six “stated intentions” of the 2017 restructure. But Mr Johnston said the review had only three principal aims and that the committee’s version was “a blend of selective quotations and contextual commentary”.
Intetions
“The Executive Agency model was designed to bring private-sector expertise into government through volunteer industry-led Boards working alongside public servants,” the minister said.
“It was not intended for public servants to replicate the full range of commercial experience from right across our economy, and to suggest such is a clear misunderstanding of the role of the Agencies and an unrealistic expectation of a Government Department.”
He also criticised the evidence base used by the committee. Neither the department nor any of the executive agencies were invited to provide further public evidence, despite the report focusing heavily on their operations.
No agency chief executive, chair or any private-sector board members were called to give evidence.
Disappointing
Mr Johnston said: “I believe these critical omissions are disappointing, representing a significant missed opportunity and undermining the credibility of any conclusions and recommendations.”
The minister also said the report’s scope was incomplete, noting it did not examine policy, strategy and legislation divisions, the Central Registry, civil aviation, ship registry, business support schemes or motorsport.
“These areas combined account for over 75% of the overall Department,” he said.
However, Mr Johnston acknowledged “there is always room for improvement”.
A comprehensive review of the executive agency model is already underway and due to be completed by September 2026.
The department accepted a recommendation to develop a more clearly defined business development approach, with changes to be implemented by January 2027.
However it rejected a call to establish Visit Isle of Man as a statutory tourism board, saying the committee had provided “no evidence” to justify the change.