States Meeting Summary: 11-14 December
14 December 2023
Questions with notice
This week's States Meeting began on Monday 11th December with States Members' questions with notice.
Skip to page 11 of the Order Paper to find out which questions were asked. Watch from 10 minutes into this morning's recording to hear questions with notice in full.
Questions without notice
States Members then asked the Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner; the Minister for Sustainable Economic, Kirsten Morel; and the Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, questions without notice for 15 minutes each.
Skip to 1 hour 38 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the questions without notice.
Urgent oral question
Deputy Geoff Southern then asked the Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, an urgent oral question regarding the publishing of a public register of beneficial ownership, and the Government's current position on such a register.
Watch from 2 hours 23 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the urgent oral question and the Chief Minister's response.
Public Business
Appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People
The Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, nominated Dr Carmel Corrigan as the new Children's Commissioner for a period of six years. The debate was held in camera and was not broadcast.
The webcasting then resumed for the vote, and the States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Chief Minister's proposition, with 42 votes for, 0 votes against, and 2 abstentions.
Watch from 3 hours 2 minutes in this morning's recording to watch the vote.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027
The Greffier read the proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 proposition, as amended by Amd.(5), Amd. (6) (as amended by paragraph 3 of the Amd (Amd) only), Amd. 13 (as amended), Amd. 15 (as amended), Amd. 16, Amd. 21, Amd.24, Amd.26 and Amd.32.
Skip to 3 hours 5 minutes of this morning's recording to watch the proposition read in full.
The afternoon session started with Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore introducing the Government Plan 2024-2027 (as amended above) to the States Assembly.
Amendment 17: Limit Rent-a-room tax exemption to households with a mortgage
Deputy Carina Alves proposed an amendment which would restrict the 'rent-a-room' income tax relief to only households servicing a mortgage on their main residence.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Alves' proposition, with 10 votes for, 36 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 18 minutes into this afternoon's recording to watch the debate in full.
Amendment 2: Removal of RegTech super-deduction
Deputy Max Andrews proposed an amendment to increase Corporate Income Tax estimates for 2024 by £200,000 and delete the Regulatory Technology Super-Deduction proposal.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Max Andrews' amendment, with 11 votes for, 35 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 58 minutes of this afternoon's recording to watch the debate in full.
Amendment 22: Abolition of interest tax relief for landlords
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed an amendment to remove interest tax relief on mortgages for letting properties starting from the 2026 year of assessment.
The Council of Ministers then proposed an amendment to amendment 22, to remove tax relief for smaller investor-landlords on the interest on buy-to-let residential mortgages and also capture loans for commercial premises from the 2027 year of assessment.
The amendment to the amendment was adopted with 31 votes for and 13 vote against, and 0 abstentions. The Assembly then went on to debate the 22nd amendment as amended.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Sam Mézec's amendment (as amended) with 33 votes for, 12 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 1 hour and 31 minutes of this afternoon's recording to watch the debates on this amendment in full.
The Economic & International Affairs Scrutiny Panel proposed an amendment to continue the freeze on alcohol duty & request a separate level for that duty, or for a rebate or similar measure to be introduced.
The Council of Ministers proposed an amendment to amendment 25, to uprate duties by 4.5%.
Skip to 2 hours and 28 minutes of this afternoon's recording to watch the beginning of the debate on this amendment. The debate on this amendment will continue during tomorrow morning's session.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned before continuing at 09:30am on Tuesday 12 December.
Tuesday 12 December
The morning session started, following roll call, with the continuation of the debate on Amendment 25: Alcohol duty.
This amendment was proposed by the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel to continue the freeze on alcohol duty and request a separate level for that duty, or for a rebate or similar measure to be introduced.
In addition, the Council of Ministers proposed an amendment to amendment 25, to uprate duties by 4.5%.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the first two parts of the Council of Ministers' amendment to amendment 25 with 27 votes for, 19 votes against, and 1 abstention.
The Assembly also voted to APPROVE the third part of the Council of Ministers' amendment to amendment 25, with 43 votes for, 2 votes against, and 2 abstentions.
The States Assembly then voted to APPROVE the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel's amendment (as amended with a 4.5% uprate), with 45 votes for, no votes against, and 1 abstention.
Skip to 6 minutes of this morning's recording to watch the beginning of the debate on this amendment.
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed an amendment relating to 'user pays' waste charges, that will exclude the consideration of regressive charges as well as any that don't consider proportionality of payments to income of the payee.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Sam Mézec's amendment, with 16 votes for, 31 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Skip to 1 hour and 53 minutes of this morning's recording to watch the beginning of the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 1: Social Security Grant Funding
The afternoon session started with Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache proposing the next amendment to the Government Plan, calling to increase the States grant to the Social Security Fund by £20 million, to £40 million in total.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache's amendment, with 26 votes for, 21 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Watch from the beginning of this afternoon's recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 18: Free GP visits for all full-time students
Deputy Carina Alves proposed an amendment which would provide £75,000 to extend the Free GP visits for Children and Young People Scheme to all full-time students, including those at university in the UK or abroad.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Carina Alves' amendment, with 24 votes for, 20 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 1 hour and 26 minutes of this afternoon's recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 33: Increase revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries
The Council of Ministers proposed an amendment to the Government Plan, to approve a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Agricultural Loans Fund of up to £10million, and increase the Head of Expenditure for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture by £2million.
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed an amendment to amendment 33, to fund increased support for agriculture and fisheries with a one-off transfer from the Strategic Reserve, rather than the proposed method of increasing savings through the 'Value for Money' programme.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Sam Mézec's amendment to amendment 33, with 13 votes for, 35 votes against, and no abstentions.
Watch from 2 hours 15 minutes in this afternoon's recording to watch the debates on the amendment in full. The debate on amendment 33 will continue in tomorrow morning's session.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned before continuing at 09:30am on Wednesday 13 December.
Wednesday 13 December
The morning session started, following roll call, with the continuation of the debate on Amendment 33: Increase revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries.
The Council of Ministers proposed this amendment which would approve a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Agricultural Loans Fund of up to £10 million and would increase the Head of Expenditure for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture by £2 million.
The States Assembly voted to approve Part 1 of the Council of Ministers’ amendment by standing vote.
The States Assembly voted to approve Part 2 of the Council of Ministers’ amendment, with 35 votes for, 1 vote against, and 9 abstentions.
Watch from the beginning of this morning’s recording to see the conclusion of the debate and the vote.
Amendment 19: Investment of stamp duty uplift into first time buyer funds
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed that revenue gained from the 3% Stamp Duty uplift on ‘Buy to Let’ investment properties, second homes, and holiday homes, should be used to increase the First Step shared equity scheme.
The States Assembly voted to reject Deputy Sam Mézec’s amendment, with 12 votes for, 35 votes against, and no abstentions.
Skip to 19 minutes into this morning’s recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 20: Additional funding for education
Deputy Catherine Curtis proposed an amendment which would increase investment in Children, Young People, Education & Skills frontline services by £2 million, instead of it being used for the Modernisation and Digital department.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Catherine Curtis’ amendment, with 13 votes for, 32 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 2 hours and 2 minutes into this morning’s recording to watch the beginning of the debate on this amendment and this then continues 7 minutes into the afternoon recording following the lunch break.
Amendment 28: Economy Strategy implementation revenue expenditure
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel proposed an amendment for money to be kept in the Central Reserve, not allocated to the Digital, Visitor Economy and Elite Sports Strategies until Ministers give more detail.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s amendment, with 4 votes for, 41 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 1 hour and 26 minutes into this afternoon’s recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 27: Jersey Business revenue expenditure
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel proposed an amendment which requires money to be kept in the Central Reserve rather than allocated to Jersey Business–Core Grant Funding, until Ministers give more detail.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s amendment, with 3 votes for, 43 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 2 hours and 20 minutes into this afternoon’s recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 7: Extension of marginal relief
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed an amendment to the Government Plan, to charge income tax at 25% (except for High Value Residents), with all personal income taxpayers entitled to marginal reliefs and allowances.
Watch from 2 hours 55 minutes in this afternoon’s recording to watch the start if the debate on this amendment.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned before continuing at 09:30am on Thursday 14 December.
Thursday 14th December
The morning session started, following roll call, with the continuation of the debate on Amendment 7: Extension of marginal relief.
This amendment would charge income tax at 25% (except for High Value Residents), with all personal income taxpayers entitled to marginal reliefs and allowances.
The States Assembly voted to reject Deputy Sam Mézec's amendment, with 11 votes for, 35 votes against, and no abstentions.
Watch from the beginning of this morning's recording to see the conclusion of the debate and the vote.
Amendment 3: Removal of upper earnings caps
Deputy Sam Mézec proposed an amendment to the Government Plan which would remove upper earnings caps on Social Security and Long-Term Care contributions.
The States Assembly voted to reject Deputy Sam Mézec's amendment, with 12 votes for, 33 votes against, and no abstentions.
Skip to 22 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 11: Assisted Purchase Home Ownership Scheme
Deputy Max Andrews proposed an amendment to the Government Plan to allow a greater number of first-time buyers to be supported through a reduction of the shared equity loan to between 5 and 15 percent of market value.
The States Assembly voted to reject Deputy Max Andrews' amendment, with 1 vote for, 42 votes against, and no abstentions.
Skip to 1 hour 35 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the debate.
Amendment 30: Freeze on Public Health staff appointments
Deputy Andy Howell proposed an amendment to the Government Plan (as amended) that funding provided for the public health function should come from freezing recruitment within the service, until a business case for the public health function has been approved.
The States Assembly voted to approve Deputy Andy Howell's amendment (as amended), with 37 votes for, 10 votes against, and no abstentions.
Skip to 1 hour and 54 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the debate.
Amendment 12: Value for Money Savings
The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel proposed an amendment (as amended) to distinguish specific areas to which Value for Money savings are attached, and to require that a reporting and monitoring process should be included for the duration of the Government Plan.
The States Assembly voted to approve the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel's amendment (as amended) by standing vote.
Skip to 2 hours and 22 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the debate.
Amendment 10: Payroll expenditure
Deputy Max Andrews proposed an amendment that would reduce Government payroll expenditure by £40 million in non-frontline roles, moving savings to the Stabilisation Fund and Strategic Reserve Fund.
This proposition was not seconded and was therefore withdrawn.
Skip to 2 hours and 32 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the debate on this amendment.
Amendment 8: Extend existing bus pass scheme to individuals 21 years of age and under
Deputy Rob Ward proposed an amendment that would move £1.5 million from subsidising electric vehicles and e-bikes, to extend the Avanchi 18 bus scheme to those 21 and under.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Rob Ward's amendment, with 16 votes for, 28 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Skip to 2 hours and 41 minutes into this morning's recording to watch the beginning of the debate on this amendment, or watch from the beginning of this afternoon's recording for the conclusion and vote.
Amendment 9: Subsidised Annual Bus Pass
Deputy Rob Ward proposed an amendment that would finance a trial scheme to subsidise Avanchi Card Annual Unlimited bus passes covering £295 of the £495 annual bus pass.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Rob Ward's amendment, with 17 votes for, 29 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 29 minutes in this afternoon's recording to watch the debate in full.
P. 72 Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027
The States Assembly then debated the proposed Government Plan 2024-2027. They voted to /APPROVE the Government Plan, with 33 votes for, 13 votes against, and 0 abstentions, as amended by:
• Amd.(5): A scheme for right-sizing
• Amd.(6) (as amended by paragraph 3 of the Amd. (Amd.) only): Medical hosiery and wound dressing funding
• Amd.(13) (as amended): Violence against Women and Girls Taskforce recommendations – annual progress report
• Amd.(15) (as amended): Income Support (special payments) for carers of children with life-threatening, life-limiting illnesses, or complex healthcare needs
• Amd.(16): Pension changes
• Amd.(21): Le Rocquier School and Community Sports Facilities
• Amd.(24): Expanding Early Years nursey provision and childcare support
• Amd.(26): Fuel Duty Freeze
• Amd.(32): Carbon Tax or charge on private aircraft
• Amd.(22) (as amended): Abolition of interest tax relief for landlords
• Amd.(25) (as amended): Alcohol Duty
• Amd.(1): Social Security Grant Funding
• Amd.(18): Free GP visits for all full-time students
• Amd.(33): Increase Revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries
• Amd.(30) (as amended): Freeze on public health staff appointments
• Amd.(12) (as amended): Value for money savings
Skip to 1 hour 10 minutes in this afternoon's recording to watch the debate in full.
P.91/2023 Draft Finance (2024 Budget) (Jersey) Law 202-.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Ian Gorst, proposed a Draft Finance (2024 Budget) (Jersey) Law to give effect to the revenue measures in the Government Plan 2024-2027 (as amended) and to provide for administrative and technical tax amendments of the Plan.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Ian Gorst's proposition in the third reading, with 45 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 2 hours 30 minutes in this afternoon's recording to watch the debate in full.
Christmas Greetings
The Connétable of St. Helier and Deputy Geoff Southern, as the senior Connétable and Deputy, then gave a Christmas Greeting, and the Baillif responded.
Watch from 2 hours and 35 minutes in this afternoon's recording to watch it in full.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned and will continue at 09:30am on Tuesday 16 January 2024.
