The one-time highest paid executive at the Isle of Wight council (IWC), Jay Jayasundara – who enjoyed a package worth £185,000pa – is back at the Isle of Wight council.
The reason for his return? OnTheWight has been told it’s for him to find savings in the Highways PFI contract that he was handsomely paid to create – we’ve asked the council to confirm this, but yet to hear back. A contract that was widely-criticised by Executive members of the Island Independent administration, as well as Island pundits.
Keeping shtum
Jay Jayasundara (or JJ as he’s fondly known at the IWC) left the council back in December 2012. His latest appointment appears to have been kept very quiet.
This is despite JJ having been paid by the IWC twice already this year through his company, Jasmine Consulting, £7,785.63 in January and £5,405.72 in February.
Based at Island Roads
OnTheWight understands that JJ is based at the Island Roads HQ on Dodnor Estate in Newport, and today a rather expensive-looking Mercedes 4×4 with a familiar personalised number plate was spotted in their car park.
OnTheWight has put a number of questions about JJ’s contract to the Isle of Wight council.
Update: Response from the IWC
Less than 24 hours after posing the questions, the Isle of Wight Council press office, now under new management, provided answers in a straightforward way.
Q: Who made the decision to bring Jasmine Consulting/Jay Jayasundara (JJ) back to IWC?
A: Senior officers in consultation with the relevant Cabinet members.
Q: What are Jasmine Consulting contracted to deliver?
A: The Jasmine Consulting UK Ltd, of which Mr Jayasundara is a director, is undertaking a preliminary assessment of the overall management of the Island Roads PFI contract, with a view to identifying potential savings as part of the council medium term financial strategy.
Mr Jayasundara is an expert in this field and has detailed knowledge of this particular contract.
Part of his role is to advise the council on a number of issued to be resolved, for full savings to be made.
Q: How long have Jasmine Consulting been contracted for?
A: The arrangement with Jasmine Consulting UK Ltd is due to finish at the end of March 2018.
Q: What are the billing arrangements with Jasmine Consulting? Does the amount paid vary on the number of hours that JJ works? eg Jan 2018 was £7,785.63. Feb 2018, £5,405.72
A: Yes.
Q: Have Jasmine Consulting been given a target for savings from the PFI?
A: The council has an indicative target to help meet its financial challenges and needs to understand if and how it can be delivered.
Q: OnTheWight understands that JJ’s ‘money saving actions’ at Portsmouth CC exposed that council to considerable additional costs as a result of his time there (Court/barristers/etc). Does IWC have any concerns about this? How will IWC avoid this happening?
A: The council will consider which, if any, savings proposals it will take forward, if appropriate.
Article edit
29.2.18 7.05pm – Response from IWC added
