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STATES OF JERSEY
AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDERS
– MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS (P.3/2022): COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 4th February 2022 by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel Earliest date for debate: 8th February 2022
STATES GREFFE
2022 P.3 Com.
COMMENTS
Introduction
- If adopted P.3/2022, Amendment to Standing Orders – Miscellaneous Amendments (the Proposition,), lodged by the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) on 11th January 2022, will make a number of changes to the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey which aim to clarify the procedures of the Assembly across a number of areas.
- Having noted and discussed the Amendment, the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (the Panel) is pleased to offer its view that the changes included are sensible and that the Panel is generally supportive of P.3/2022.
Propositions and documents
- The Panel notes that the Amendment will clarify points regarding the lodging of Amendments to Propositions within the election period. The Panel suggests that it is sensible to allow these and is in agreement that Standing Orders be amended to meet the expectation of the Assembly, which was indicated in the adoption of paragraph b of P.88/2018.
- The Panel notes that the Amendment will ensure that Standing Order 22, detailing procedures regarding Propositions of no confidence, is also applied to Propositions that would have the same effect as a Propositions of no confidence. The Panel acknowledges that this is a closure of a procedural loophole and is supportive of its aim.
- The Panel notes that the Amendment will update outdated orders regarding how documents, relating to subordinate actions such as Ministerial Decisions, are presented to or laid before the States. The Panel recognises this is a legislative reference update.
States Sittings
- The Panel is pleased to support the Amendment in including parental responsibilities to paragraph 4 of Standing Order 53, noting that this ensures consistency with the Assembly's agreement that these responsibilities should be included as a reason for Members to be absent from a sitting.
- The Panel notes that the Amendment will remove Standing Order 70 (1A), and agrees that Standing Order 68A (5) provides clearer provision to allow for an amendment to be proposed in the absence of the proposer.
- The Panel welcomes the Amendment's clarification that the Chair of the Planning Committee is a principle office, for provisions concerning voting procedures within Standing Orders 90 to 96.
- The Panel notes that the Amendment will introduce the provision for a Chair of a body subject to a vote of censure to speak for a second time during a debate of that vote. The Panel agrees this to be a fair and sensible clarification.
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P.3/2022 Com.
- The Panel is supportive of the introduction of the Standing Order prohibiting substantive speeches during nominations. Although "substantive" may be seen as subjective, the Panel believes the Presiding Officer's better judgement will make good use of in the application of this provision.
Panel Conclusions
- In conclusion the Panel is supportive of the amendments to Standing Orders of the States of Jersey proposed by PPC, they offer sensible clarity in the proceedings of this Assembly.
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