States Meeting summary: 12-13 November
Tuesday 12 November
Announcement from the Presiding Officer
This week’s States Meeting began with the Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, announcing the death of former States Member Jerry Dorey, who served as a Deputy for St Helier No 1 District and a Senator. He was first elected in 1993 and served until 2005.
Question Time
Questions with notice
The States Meeting then resumed its scheduled business with Ministers answering States Members’ questions with notice.
NB: Question 15 was withdrawn during the session as it had previously been answered.
Questions without notice
States Members then asked the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Tom Binet; Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey; and the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, questions without notice for 15 minutes each.
Urgent Oral Question
Deputy Jonathan Renouf asked the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development the following urgent oral question:
“Will the Minister explain how he justifies more than £5m of direct grants to Visit Jersey, Ports of Jersey, the rural and marine support scheme and others, when the main purpose of the scheme has always been advertised as to improve productivity?”
Statement
The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, made a statement regarding the Early Years Plan.
Public Business
Due to the Minister for Social Security’s absence from the States Meeting, the debate regarding
P.66/2024 (which relates to changes regarding parental allowance) is now due to take place in December.
This afternoon’s session began with a proposition from the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, who proposed to amend the title and status of the Registrars of the Family Division of the Royal Court. The proposition aims to establish the office of Family Judge of the Royal Court, and Family Judges will be given the judicial functions previously carried out by the Registrars. Family Judges will not be part of the Judicial Greffe or States’ employees, which would bring the office in line with other independent judicial appointments.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition with 40 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Elaine Millar, proposed an amendment to the Royal Court (Jersey) Law 1948 which would introduce a new way to pay fees to Jurats. An amendment to the Stamp Duties and Fees (Jersey) Law 1998 would also allow for an increase in court fees, as well as a few minor changes.
Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache proposed an
amendment that would remove the article which would allow the Minister to increase court fees without the approval of the Assembly. The Minister accepted this amendment.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition as amended with 42 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstention.
Deputy Catherine Curtis put forward a proposal requesting that tenants in rental properties are allowed to keep, or acquire, a pet or pets unless the landlord provides a reasonable reason, as defined by law, not to permit this and that any law changes needed to enable this are brought to the Assembly by 31 March 2025.
Deputy David Warr proposed an
amendment asking for the Minister for Housing to bring forward a code of practice, instead of a law, for tenants and landlords regarding the keeping of pets in rental properties.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Warr’s amendment with 24 votes for, 17 votes against, and 0 abstention.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Catherine Curtis’ proposition - as amended - with 29 votes for, 10 votes against, and 1 abstention.
The Assembly then adjourned until Wednesday morning, 9.30am, when they will hold a public In-Committee debate on the petition requesting to make States Old Age Pensions exempt from tax.
Wednesday 13 November
In-Committee debate: Make States Old Age Pensions exempt from Tax
States Members held a public In-Committee debate regarding a petition asking for the States pension to be made exempt from taxation. Members were able to speak as many times as they wished during the debate, but in accordance with Standing Orders, no vote was held.
Skip to 8 minutes into this morning’s recording to watch the debate in full.
Statement
The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, made a statement regarding the ferry services tender process which was followed by 30 minutes of questions from States Members.
Skip to 2 hours and 1 minute into this morning’s recording to watch the statement and questions in full.
Adjournment
The States Assembly then adjourned and will reconvene at 2:15pm on Monday 25 November when the proposed Government Plan will be debated.
