States Meeting Transcript - 3rd October 2023

STATES OF JERSEY OFFICIAL REPORT TUESDAY, 3rd OCTOBER 2023

Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade : ......................................................... 10 Connétable D.W. Mezbourian of St. Lawrence : .......................................... 10 Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity : ................................ 11

PUBLIC BUSINESS .......................................................................... 11

1. Reduction of Lodging Period - Funding for Jersey Reds (P.78/2023)............ 11

1.1 Deputy L.J. Farnham :............................................................... 12

QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 12

2. Written Questions .................................................................... 12

1. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding the Impact Jersey project (WQ.322/2023) ..................................................................... 12
2. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding an update on the negotiation of purchase for the site of the Seaside Café, Grève de Lecq (WQ.323/2023) .................................. 13
3. Connétable of St. Lawrence of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding non-private outpatients waiting to have scans. (WQ.324/2023) .................... 13
4. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South of the Minister for Housing and Communities regarding Mydeposits Jersey'. (WQ.325/2023).................................... 14
5. The Connétable of St. Martin of the Minister for Social Security regarding engagement with pharmacists on their needs and concerns to accessibility and financial support. (WQ.326/2023) .................................................. 15
6. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Social Security regarding Income Support distributed in 2022. (WQ.327/2023) .............................. 15
7. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding measures of minimum levels of service in crucial public services during strikes. (WQ.328/2023) ..................................................... 17
8. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade of the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs regarding the work permits of the two Filipino fishermen who died on the L'Ecume II fishing trawler. (WQ.329/2023) ....................................... 17
9. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Chief Minister regarding the amount spent by the Government on adverts, articles and supplements in the Jersey Evening Post. (WQ.330/2023) ...................................................... 17
10. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding systems and data analysts, communications, PR and marketing staff employed within Government. (WQ.331/2023) .................................... 18

11. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Children and Education regarding the Jersey Teacher Training students now employed as Early Career Teachers. (WQ.332/2023) .......................................................... 21
12. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs regarding domestic abuse cases since 2018. (WQ.333/2023) .............. 22
13. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding Government funding distributed to charities. (WQ.334/2023) ...................................................................................... 22
14. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Chief Minister regarding civil litigation cases taken against the Government or a Minister. (WQ.335/2023) ..... 27

15. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding personal tax audit investigations. (WQ.336/2023) ...................... 28
16. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Chief Minister regarding the shipping costs relating to all chemical and microbiological analysis. (WQ.337/2023)...... 29
17. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding prescribed opioid medications. (WQ.338/2023) ............... 29
18. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chief Minister regarding Government policy on the provision of community and postal services. (WQ.339/2023)....... 32
19. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chief Minister regarding Government communications. (WQ.340/2023) .................................................. 33
20. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the ceiling for Income Tax thresholds. (WQ.341/2023) ................. 34
21. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding the Education Partnership between the States of Jersey and the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers). (WQ.342/2023) ..................................................................... 34
22. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Children and Education regarding meetings between CYPES and the teaching unions. (WQ.343/2023) ... 35
23. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding the closure of post offices. (WQ.344/2023)

 ...................................................................................... 40

24. Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding affordability of major planned Government capital projects. (WQ.345/2023) ..................................................................... 41
25. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the appointment of three Independent Advisors and two clinical experts to support the Government of Jersey's New Healthcare Facilities Programme. (WQ.346/2023) ........................................................ 45
26. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Minister for the Environment regarding the migration from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles. (WQ.347/2023) ..................................................................... 46
27. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Social Security regarding the housing component of Income Support. (WQ.348/2023) .......................... 47
28. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding process and charges on waste. (WQ.350/349) ........................... 48
29. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the intended process and charges on waste. (WQ.350/2023) .......................... 49
30. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding MRI scans. (WQ.351/2023) .................................... 50

31. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade of the Minister for Children and Education regarding entries for Modern Foreign Languages for GCSE. (WQ.352/2023) .... 50
32. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding a Betterment clause' in pay settlements with Unions. (WQ.353/2023) ..................................................................... 53
33. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the estimated subsidy for 2023 for the current bus provider. (WQ.354/2023) ..... 53
34. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding bus service contract negotiations. (WQ.355/2023) ................................. 54
35. The Connétable of St. Brelade of the Minister for Children and Education regarding policy to protect children from activist driven agendas. (WQ.356/2023).......... 54
36. Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Social Security regarding progress on delivering MSS P5: Conducting a review of our benefits landscape. (WQ.357/2023).......................................................... 55
37. Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Social Security regarding the cost of delivering MSS P1.5. (WQ.358/2023) ....................... 58
38. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the 3 options for sustainable health funding outlined in the Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027. (WQ.359/2023) .......................... 58
39. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Children and Education regarding the Skills Development Fund outlined in the Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027. (WQ.360/2023) ..................................... 59
40. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Housing and Communities regarding the level of subsidy in the assessment of "affordable" homes as outlined in the Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027. (WQ.361/2023)

 ...................................................................................... 60

41. Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the Vaccination Centre at Fort Regent. (WQ.362/2023) ..................................................................... 61
42. The Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the £675m estimated cost for the acute hospital at Overdale. (WQ.363/2023) .......................................................... 63
43. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding implementing the recommendations of the 2022 Review of Health and Community Services (HCS) Clinical Governance Arrangements within Secondary Care. (WQ.364/2023) ............................................................... 63
44. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding delivering updated operational policies across all areas of healthcare in accordance with the Quality and Improvement in Healthcare process. (WQ.365/2023) ..................................................................... 65
45. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding turnover in mental health staff. (WQ.366/2023)......................... 68

3. Oral Questions........................................................................ 69

1. Deputy L.J. Farnham of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding availability of joint taxation returns (OQ.190/2023) .............................. 69

Deputy I. J. Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter (The Minister for Treasury and

Resources): .......................................................................... 69

2. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding regarding the levels of funding provided to Jersey sports clubs (OQ.186/2023) ............................................... 69

Deputy L. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter (Assistant Minister for

Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture - rapporteur):............... 69

1. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : ................................................................ 70
2. Deputy L.J. Farnham :............................................................... 70
3. Deputy L.J. Farnham :............................................................... 71
4. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central : ........................................ 71
5. Deputy G.P. Southern : .............................................................. 72
6. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South : ............................................ 72
7. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 72
8. Deputy M. Tadier : .................................................................. 72
9. Deputy M. Tadier : .................................................................. 73
10. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................ 73
11. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................ 74
12. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade : ............................................... 74
13. Deputy M.R. Scott : .............................................................. 75
14. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : ............................................................ 78

3. Deputy L.V. Feltham of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the North of St. Helier Hub Youth Centre capital project (OQ.193/2023) ..................... 78

Deputy T. Binet of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure): ........................ 78 3.3.1 Deputy L.V. Feltham : .............................................................. 79

4. Deputy M.R. Scott of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the training requirements for managers in the healthcare sector (OQ.182/2023) ... 79

Deputy K. Wilson of St. Clement (The Minister for Health and Social Services): ...... 79

1. Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................. 79
2. Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour : ............................................ 79
3. Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................. 80

5. Deputy G.P. Southern of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the review of the Island's health and care costs (OQ.187/2023) .................. 80

Deputy K. Wilson (The Minister for Health and Social Services): ....................... 80

1. Deputy G.P. Southern : .............................................................. 80
2. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 81
3. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 81
4. Deputy G.P. Southern : .............................................................. 82

6. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the traffic monitoring undertaken in the vicinity of the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre (OQ.184/2023) ...................................... 83

Deputy T. Binet (The Minister for Infrastructure): ....................................... 83 3.6.1 Deputy T.A. Coles : ................................................................. 83

7. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding the prospect of a Scrutiny Panel to investigate the barriers and opportunities for people accessing Jersey's labour market (OQ.181.2023) ....................................................... 83

Deputy K.F. Morel (The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and

Culture): ............................................................................ 83

8. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of the Chief Minister regarding the role of the Jersey Development Company in delivering projects (OQ.191/2023) .................... 84

Deputy K.L Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter (The Chief Minister): .......... 84 3.8.1 Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 84

9. Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade of the Chief Minister regarding the policy intention of the Government in respect of the number of private landlords in Jersey (OQ.188/2023) .................................................. 85

Deputy K.L. Moore (The Chief Minister): ................................................ 85

1. The Connétable of St. Brelade : ..................................................... 85
2. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 85
3. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 86
4. The Connétable of St. Brelade : ..................................................... 86

10. The Connétable of St. Brelade of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the carriageways of Victoria Avenue (OQ.189/2023).................................. 86

Deputy T. Binet (The Minister for Infrastructure): ....................................... 86

1. The Connétable of St. Brelade : .................................................. 87
2. The Connétable of St. Lawrence : ................................................ 87
3. The Connétable of St. Lawrence : ................................................ 88
4. The Connétable of St. Brelade : .................................................. 88

11. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the proposed Liquid Waste Charge (OQ.192/2023) .................................... 88

Deputy I.J. Gorst (The Minister for Treasury and Resources): ........................... 88

1. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................. 89
2. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : ............................................................ 89
3. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : ............................................................ 89
4. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................. 89

12. Deputy T.A. Coles of the Minister for the Environment regarding the air quality monitoring being undertaken in the vicinity of the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre (OQ.185/2023) ................................................... 90

Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade (The Minister for the Environment): ................... 90

1. Deputy T.A. Coles : .............................................................. 90
2. Deputy M. Tadier : ............................................................... 90
3. Deputy M. Tadier : ............................................................... 91
4. The Connétable of St. Brelade : .................................................. 92
5. Deputy T.A. Coles : .............................................................. 92

13. Deputy M.R. Scott of H.M. Attorney General regarding the disclosure to the public of legal advice given to States Members and Government Officers by the Law Officers' Department (OQ.183/2023) ......................................... 93

Mr. M.H. Temple K.C., H.M. Attorney General:......................................... 93

1. Deputy M.R. Scott : .............................................................. 94
2. Deputy M. Tadier : ............................................................... 94
3. Deputy M. Tadier : ............................................................... 94

4. Deputy M.R. Scott : .............................................................. 95

14. Deputy M.B. Andrews of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the public provisions in place for sharp boxes' (OQ.194/2023) .................. 95

Deputy K. Wilson (The Minister for Health and Social Services): ....................... 95

1. Deputy M.B. Andrews :.......................................................... 95
2. Deputy A. Howell :............................................................... 96
3. Deputy T.A. Coles : .............................................................. 96
4. Deputy M. Tadier : ............................................................... 96

4. Questions to Ministers without notice - The Minister for External Relations ... 97

1. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 97 Deputy K.L. Moore (The Chief Minister – rapporteur): .................................. 97

1. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ................................................................ 97
   2. Deputy T.A. Coles : ................................................................. 97

4.2.1 Deputy T.A. Coles : ................................................................. 98

3. The Connétable of St. Brelade : ..................................................... 98

4.3.1 The Connétable of St. Brelade : ..................................................... 98

4. Deputy G.P. Southern : .............................................................. 98
5. Deputy M. Tadier : .................................................................. 98

4.5.1 Deputy M. Tadier : .................................................................. 99

6. Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................. 99

4.6.1 Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................. 99

5. Questions to Ministers without notice - The Minister for Health and Social Services .............................................................................. 100

1. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 100 Deputy K. Wilson (The Minister for Health and Social Services): ...................... 100

1. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 100
   2. Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 100

5.2.1 Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 101

3. Deputy M. Tadier : ................................................................. 101

5.3.1 Deputy M. Tadier : ................................................................. 101

4. The Connétable of St. Lawrence : .................................................. 102

5.4.1 The Connétable of St. Lawrence : .................................................. 102

5. Deputy A. Howell : ................................................................ 103

6. Questions to Ministers without notice - The Chief Minister ..................... 103

1. Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 103 Deputy K.L. Moore (The Chief Minister): .............................................. 104

1. Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 104
   2. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 104

6.2.1 Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 104

3. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 105

6.3.1 Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 105

4. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : .............................................................. 105

6.4.1 Deputy R.S. Kovacs : .............................................................. 106

5. Connétable K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour : ............................................ 106

6.5.1 The Connétable of St. Saviour : .................................................... 106

6. Deputy P.M. Bailhache of St. Clement : ........................................... 107

7. Deputy A. Howell : ................................................................ 107

6.7.1 Deputy A. Howell : ................................................................ 107

8. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 107

6.8.1 Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 108

9. Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 108

6.9.1 Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 108

7. Urgent Oral Question .............................................................. 109

7.1 Deputy L.V. Feltham to the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the presence of R.A.A.C. in areas of the hospital ................................................ 109

Deputy T. Binet (The Minister for Infrastructure): ...................................... 109

1. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 109
2. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 109
3. Deputy S.Y. Mézec : ............................................................... 110
4. Deputy G.P. Southern : ............................................................ 110
5. Deputy C.D . Curtis of St. Helier Central : ......................................... 110
6. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 111

STATEMENTS ON A MATTER OF OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY................. 111

8. The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture will make a statement regarding the Jersey Reds ..................................... 111

8.1 Deputy K.F. Morel (The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture): ........................................................................... 111

1. Deputy M. Tadier : ................................................................. 115
2. Deputy M. Tadier : ................................................................. 115
3. Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................ 116
4. Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................ 117
5. The Connétable of St. Brelade : .................................................... 117
6. The Connétable of St. Brelade : .................................................... 118
7. Connétable D. Johnson of St. Mary : .............................................. 118

LUNCHEON ADJOURNMENT PROPOSED ............................................ 119 LUNCHEON ADJOURNMENT ........................................................... 119

8. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 119
9. Deputy L.V. Feltham : ............................................................. 119
10. The Connétable of St. Lawrence : .............................................. 120
11. The Connétable of St. Lawrence : .............................................. 121
12. Deputy M. Tadier : .............................................................. 122
13. Deputy M. Tadier : .............................................................. 123
14. Deputy M.R. Scott : ............................................................. 123

PUBLIC BUSINESS ........................................................................ 124

9. Reduction of lodging period - Funding for the Jersey Reds (P.78/2023): second amendment (P.78/2023 Amd.(2)) .................................................. 124

9.1 Deputy M.R. Scott : ................................................................ 124

9.1.1 Deputy L.J. Farnham :.............................................................. 124 Deputy K.F. Morel : ...................................................................... 126The Connétable of St. Lawrence : ........................................................ 126 Deputy M. Tadier : ....................................................................... 127 Deputy L.J. Farnham : .................................................................... 127 Deputy K.F. Morel : ...................................................................... 127

10. Draft Register of Names and Addresses (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202- (P.56/2023) .......................................................................... 129

1. Deputy E. Millar of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity (Assistant Chief Minister - rapporteur) ......................................................................... 129
2. Deputy E. Millar : .................................................................. 130

11. Draft Employment (Amendment No. 14) (Jersey) Law 202- (P.62/2023) ....... 132

11.1 Deputy E. Millar (The Minister for Social Security): ............................. 133

1. Deputy S.M. Ahier of St. Helier North : ........................................ 134
2. Deputy M.R. Scott : ............................................................. 134
3. Deputy L.M.C. Doublet : ........................................................ 134
4. Deputy R.S. Kovacs : ........................................................... 135
5. Deputy E. Millar : ............................................................... 135

12. Extension of Cold Weather Bonus (P.64/2023): as amended (P.64/2023 Amd.)

 ....................................................................................... 138

12.1 Deputy B.B. de S.DV.M Porée : ................................................... 138

12.1.1 Deputy E. Millar : ............................................................... 139

13. Law Revision Board: Appointment of Members (P.67/2023) .................... 141

13.1 Deputy K.L. Moore (The Chief Minister):........................................ 141

14. Funding for the Jersey Reds (P.78/2023) - as amended (P.78/2023 Amd.) (P.78/2023 Amd.(2)) ................................................................ 141

14.1 Deputy L.J. Farnham :.............................................................. 143

1. Deputy M. Tadier : .............................................................. 151
2. Deputy S.M. Ahier : ............................................................ 154
3. Connétable A.N. Jehan of St. John : ............................................ 154
4. The Connétable of St. Mary : ................................................... 157
5. Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour : ............................................. 157
6. Connétable K. Shenton-Stone of St. Martin : ................................... 158
7. Deputy A. Howell :.............................................................. 158
8. Deputy L. Stephenson : ......................................................... 159
9. The Connétable of St. Helier : .................................................. 161
10. Connétable M. O'D. Troy of St. Clement : .................................. 162
11. Deputy L.V. Feltham :........................................................ 163
12. Deputy E. Millar :............................................................ 164 The Attorney General: ................................................................... 166 Deputy M.R. Scott : ...................................................................... 166 Deputy M.R. Scott : ...................................................................... 167 Deputy L.J. Farnham : .................................................................... 167 Deputy L.V. Feltham : .................................................................... 168 Deputy M.R. Scott : ...................................................................... 168 Deputy K.F. Morel : ...................................................................... 169 The Connétable of St. Brelade : .......................................................... 170 Deputy M.R. Scott : ...................................................................... 170 Deputy L.J. Farnham : .................................................................... 170

ADJOURNMENT ........................................................................... 171

[9:30]

The Roll was called and the Dean led the Assembly in Prayer.

The Bailiff :

We start with the roll call issue, as to whether or not the Connétable of Trinity , who is dealing, we are told, with a Parish matter can be marked excuse or en défaut.

Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade :

First of all, thank you for allowing me to speak in this way . You could have gone straight to the appel of course, or not at all. The point to make here is that this is not a personal matter against the Constable. I get on well with the Constable. The underlying issue I think is the fact that if we had simply been informed of the fact that he is on Parish business that is fine, we could all have accepted that. I think the problem is we are being asked to excuse the Constable. This is where of course it gets back to the point of this whole roll call thing that we do twice, and I know P.P.C. (Privileges and Procedures Committee) a re looking at it, and of course they are looking at the way that works is maybe problematic in itself. But the excuses that we are starting to hear is .. I am just waiting for somebody to stand up and say: "I am sorry but the Deputy is detained because the dog has eaten her homework or his homework." That almost seems to be the level that we are descending to because in the past there was a lot of discernment and discretion that Members placed on themselves and they would never .. if they were away on holiday and missed a plane, for example, and I know that is not what we are talking about in this instance, but I think it might save us these kind of situations in the future, you would just take it on the chin. If you book a holiday to come back just one day before the States Assembly and you live in a small island, which is surrounded by sea by its very nature, and you know that there is fog sometimes and that planes get delayed and boats get delayed, you normally make arrangements so that you can get back here in time. If circumstances transpire that you cannot get back here, I think you just take that on the chin and say: "Okay, I may not be able to make today" and you explain that to your constituents if you need to. So I am very worried about the way this is rolling, but specifically in this circumstance. I have got every respect for the difficult jobs Constables do because in many ways they do twice as much work in the sense that they have got 2 roles, and they decide to be States Members. In being a States Member your job is to be here. There are other officials in the Parish who should be able to deputise and act for you in that instance. If Constables cannot in all cases juggle that job they may need to think about whether or not the roles are separated, and that if they want to be a Constable and a Deputy they may have to face 2 elections. I think the Constable who stood as a member of a party should be well au fait before he got elected with those dual roles. So I do not think we should be voting to excuse the Constable. I think we should just .. in fact the demand for him to be excused should really be withdrawn and we should just acknowledge the fact that he will be a bit late today because he has got other political issues to attend to.

Connétable D.W. Mezbourian of St. Lawrence :

Deputy Howell made it quite clear that the Constable did not ask her to ask for him to be excused by the Assembly this morning. She stood up of her own free will to make the suggestion. I believe that was an error on her part. The Constable recognised that he is not excuse. I am sure we have all been in the situation where we have been a little late into the Chamber because something has cropped up, and we recognise that we will be marked as défaut. We turn up maybe half an hour later when we have dealt with whatever we have needed to deal with. Whether that is a personal matter or whether, in the case of Deputies, previously Senators or Constables, it was a constituency matter. My view is that the Constable should be marked as défaut. Whether Deputy Howell wants to withdraw her request for him to be marked

as excuse is up to her. I am sure Deputy Tadier will not know that the Deputy has indicated that she wishes to speak. Regarding Members being stuck on the mainland or wherever because of cancelled flights or because the car breaks down, et cetera, we make the decision when somebody stands up to propose that someone is excused for those reasons. But in this instance, I would urge that if Deputy Howell is not going to withdraw the request for excuse, that we vote that the Constable of Trinity is défaut because he did not request it, because he recognised that it is not a reason for him to be défaut.

Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity :

I did make an error. He did not ask me to ask for him to be excuse, but I just remembered him asking .. I just was asking but I .. thank you, I withdraw.

The Bailiff :

Do Members agree that Deputy Howell can withdraw the request? Very well, the Connétable is défaut. There is nothing under A.

[9:45]

Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter :

I wonder if it would be appropriate for me to ask whether the Assembly is prepared to allow P.78, Funding for the Jersey Reds, to be debated at this sitting?

The Bailiff :

You wish to take that matter out of order because normally we would deal with it at the beginning of Public Business.

Deputy L.J. Farnham :

I am thinking that if the Assembly were to allow it, it gives Members a bit more time to prepare for it rather than wait and perhaps prepare in the risk the Assembly say later on that they are not prepared to accept it. I propose we make that decision now, and take it as the last item of business on the agenda in line with the Order Paper.

PUBLIC BUSINESS

1. Reduction of Lodging Period - Funding for Jersey Reds (P.78/2023) The Bailiff :

Very well, I think your first proposition, Deputy , must be that the Assembly, notwithstanding the current Order Paper, deal with this issue as the first item, and then you would have to make the proposition to deal with the waiving of Standing Orders and the lodgement of time. Is the proposition, the States is master of its own business in this respect, that we deal with the matter now before questions seconded? [Seconded] Does any Member wish to speak on that proposition? All those in favour of dealing with the matter now kindly show. Those against? Very well, we will move straight and deal with the question of dealing with Jersey Reds. Deputy Farnham , you have lodged your funding proposition, P.78. There is a need under Standing Order 80 to suspend the Standing Order 32 so the proposition can be listed for the current meeting, and that the lodging period be reduced in accordance with Standing Order 26(7) to allow the matter to be debated as the last item of business. The first question, I think, Deputy , is: do you accept the amendment lodged by Deputy Feltham ?

Deputy L.J. Farnham : Yes, Sir, I do.

The Bailiff :

Deputy Feltham , would you therefore wish this proposition from the Deputy to be dealt with for your amendment as well?

Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central : Yes, Sir.

The Bailiff :

If you would like to make the proposition then we will assume we are dealing with your proposition and the amendment from Deputy Feltham .

1.1   Deputy L.J. Farnham :

First, I would say that I accepted Deputy Feltham 's amendment because I think it is helpful to the proposition there is a business plan attached as well, which is self-explanatory. Members will know that the situation for the Jersey Reds came as a shock to many of us, only being announced in the media on Thursday, which has not left much time to address the matter as one would perhaps hope to, given the short period of time we have to rescue or salvage the situation. Having talked to representatives from the club and their sponsors over their weekend, it is clear that there is a very limited window of time available to us to provide a solution, if that is indeed the wish of this Assembly. To achieve that and the Assembly to ask to request the Minister to take the necessary steps to do that we are going to need to debate it at today's sitting. It is to that end that I crave Members' indulgence and ask that we allow the debate to go ahead and suspend the relevant Standing Orders.

The Bailiff :

So the proposition is to suspend Standing Order 32, which provides for the required lodging period for a matter such as this and, then, to allow the lodging period to be reduced in accordance with Standing Order 26(7). Do you wish to take both of those together, presumably?

Deputy L.J. Farnham : Yes, please, Sir.

The Bailiff :

Is that proposition seconded? [Seconded]  Does any Member wish to speak on the proposition? No Member wishes to speak on the proposition. Those who favour kindly show. Those against? Very well, we will debate the funding of the Jersey Reds at the end of the Order Paper.

Deputy L.J. Farnham :

Thank you, Sir, and I thank Members.

QUESTIONS

2. Written Questions

1. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding the Impact Jersey project (WQ.322/2023)

Question

In relation to the Impact Jersey project to date, will the Minister state –

1. the total number of applications received;
2. the number of applications subsequently to have been given funding; and
3. the total amount of funding distributed to applicants?

Answer

70 applications have been received as part of the Open Programme.

2. and c)

The judging process is now underway with recommendations for awards taken to the Steering Committee in October, this will determine the successful applicants with funding distributed shortly thereafter. Awards will be up to £75,000 per applicant.

2. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding an update on the negotiation of purchase for the site of the Seaside Café, Grève de Lecq (WQ.323/2023)

Question

Following the States Assembly's approval of Negotiation of purchase for the site of the Seaside Café, Grève de Lecq' (P.53/2023), will the Minister provide Members with an update on the progress of negotiations?

Answer

Independent valuations have been sourced by Jersey Property Holdings and provided to the Minister for Infrastructure who has had initial conversations with the owner's agent. The next step is to continue discussions with the owner.

3. Connétable of St. Lawrence of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding non-private outpatients waiting to have scans. (WQ.324/2023)

Question

Will the Minister state the number of non-private outpatients waiting to have an:

1. MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scan;
2. Ultrasound scan; and
3. any other scan;

on 31st July 2021, 2022, and 2023? Answer

It should be noted that Radiology waiting lists were not historically managed using Trakcare and, as such, data cannot be produced in the same manner as other areas. Going forward, HCS' analytics team will work with Radiology to improve their ability to report on waiting lists. Historical snapshot data, i.e., the number of patients waiting on a specific date in the past, is therefore not available and so we cannot provide the data for the years and dates identified.

If data on the number of appointments undertaken each year by type of scan is required, this can be provided, however, time would be needed to prepare any analysis.

As  of  15  September  2023,  the  Radiology  Department  has  the  following  number  of examinations/scans waiting to be performed:

Scan  No. of examinations

waiting

CT  638 MRI  1115 Ultrasound  2392 X-ray  1164

Please note that this data does not differentiate between first appointments, those which may have been cancelled or postponed and are waiting to be rebooked, or 6 month follow ups.

4. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South of the Minister for Housing and Communities regarding Mydeposits Jersey'. (WQ.325/2023)

Question

Will  the Minister undertake to  liaise with  mydeposits  Jersey to  identify the number of certificates that have been issued for rental deposits which they have protected where the date the landlord passed the deposit on to mydeposits Jersey was not within 30 days of the landlord having received that deposit?

Answer

I have discussed this matter with mydeposits Jersey and can provide the following breakdown of the number of deposits received within and outside of the 30-day deadline:

The majority of deposits are protected within the 30-day deadline, but there are instances where this is not the case. Whilst there may be reasons why a landlord or agent may not meet the 30- day deadline, and it may be an honest mistake, it is imperative that tenants' deposits are afforded the protection of the tenancy deposit scheme. Where a tenant believes that their deposit has not been protected, they should contact Environmental Health who will investigate and take action to ensure that the deposit is protected in the scheme. Landlords and tenants can also seek advice from Citizens Advice Jersey, who partner with mydeposits Jersey to provide support and guidance.

I am concerned about potential non-compliance with the tenancy deposit scheme requirements, and the broader requirements of the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law 2011. In the immediate- term, I am in discussion with the Law Officers Department to ensure appropriate action can be taken against non-compliance with the legislation, and to ensure that tenants receive the statutory protection to which they are entitled under the Law. I am, moreover, seeking within my residential tenancies proposals to provide relevant authorities with sufficient powers to enforce compliance when an offence has been committed, which will include tenancy deposit protection arrangements.

5. The Connétable of St. Martin of the Minister for Social Security regarding engagement with pharmacists on their needs and concerns to accessibility and financial support. (WQ.326/2023)

Question

Will the Minister outline what engagement, if any, the Departments of Customer and Local Services and Health and Community Services have had with pharmacists in the rural parishes in order to establish whether they have any specific needs or concerns that may require alternative arrangements for pharmacies outside the urban centres, particularly with regard to accessibility and financial support?

Answer

The Government have undertaken extensive consultation with community pharmacies during the latter part of 2022 through to March 2023 when an investment package was agreed. Consultation and negotiations were conducted via the Jersey Chemist Contractors Negotiating Committee who sought the views of all members including pharmacies outside the urban centres. Dispensing fees were increased as part of this agreement, including the maintenance of a two-tier dispensing fee which supports smaller pharmacies with low dispensing volumes by paying a higher rate for the first 50,000 items.

Discussions are currently underway regarding the creation of a new overarching agreement to govern commissioned services where support for small pharmacies in remote areas has already been highlighted specifically for discussion.

6. Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour of the Minister for Social Security regarding Income Support distributed in 2022. (WQ.327/2023)

Question

Will the Minister advise how much of the £73.1 million of Income Support distributed in 2022 was paid in rent component for individuals to –

1. Andium Homes;
2. tenants of Housing Associations or Trusts; and
3. tenants in private sector accommodation;

and will the Minister further provide the corresponding figures requested in (a), (b) and (c) above for each year since the introduction of the Income Support scheme?

Answer

Details of the allocation of income support costs to accommodation costs are available on the open data site. See Income Support Statistics - Income Support Annual Expenditure - Accommodation - Government of Jersey Open Data

The following information is taken from the website and is provided from 2012 onwards:

Comparable analysis prior to 2012 is not available.

Accommodation support forms part of total income support regular benefit expenditure. Departmental records show a total annual income support expenditure for 2022 of £69.4M, rather than the £73.1 million quoted in the question. This figure does not include other areas of income support expenditure such as special payments.

To allocate benefit costs across different income support components, a detailed analysis is undertaken as explained on the open data website, and copied below for information

The value of Income Support paid to a particular household depends not only on the mix of components that it is entitled to, but also on the other income received by the household. it is therefore not straightforward to report on the value of each component in the total expenditure for Income Support. However, to enable an analysis of the estimated total costs by component, a method of allocating costs within the various components has been developed. This method divides the actual Income Support benefit received by a household in proportion to the gross value of each of the components that the household is eligible for, to allocate a specific net value to each of the components. The mix of Income Support claims changes over time and the values of some components can change during the year. This analysis includes data taken from each month of the year to ensure that trends in the take-up of Income Support and rate changes during the year are represented, and provides approximate net values for the cost of each component group.

7. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding measures of minimum levels of service in crucial public services during strikes. (WQ.328/2023)

Question

In light of the UK Government's move to introduce legislation to allow it to set minimum levels of service in crucial public services that must be met during strikes to ensure the safety of the public, will the Chair advise what consideration, if any, has been given to the possibility of equivalent measures in Jersey?

Answer

The Government of Jersey currently have Non-Impairment of Service Agreements (NISA) in place within Justice and Home Affairs to ensure the safety of the public.

There are no legislative plans or consideration of similar proposals.

8. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade of the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs regarding the work permits of the two Filipino fishermen who died on the L'Ecume II fishing trawler. (WQ.329/2023)

Question

Will the Minister advise what type of work permits were held by the two Filipino fishermen who died on the L'Ecume II fishing trawler, and whether they were brought to Jersey on those work permits or if those permits were changed after their arrival?

Answer

The Deputy will be aware that the tragic events on the L'Ecume II are subject to a live criminal investigation.

With the above in mind, it would not be appropriate to disclose this information publicly whilst the investigation is ongoing.

9. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Chief Minister regarding the amount spent by the Government on adverts, articles and supplements in the Jersey Evening Post. (WQ.330/2023)

Question

Will the Chief Minister state the amount spent by the Government on adverts, articles and supplements in the Jersey Evening Post over the last five years, broken down by year and quarter?

The following table provides a breakdown of Government spend on adverts, articles and supplements in the Jersey Evening Post over the last five years, including non-ministerial departments for the period spanning 2019 to 2022:

Comment

*The negative balance in the first quarter of 2020 is primarily due to a credit note of £29,809 applied against an invoice from Fort Regent, with other invoices contributing to amounts lower than the credited amount.

The data has been extracted from the Supply Jersey/Ariba purchasing system, encompassing all government departments and non-ministerial departments. Please note that these figures are determined by the timing of invoice processed and do not necessarily align with the placement dates of advertisements. The figures highlighted in yellow show Covid limited activity.

10. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding systems and data analysts, communications, PR and marketing staff employed within Government. (WQ.331/2023)

Question

Will the Chair advise how many people are employed within Government in the following positions –

1. system and data analysts; and
2. communications, PR and marketing staff;

and will she further identify the relevant departments responsible for their employment?

1. System and data analysts

The information supplied is taken from Resource Link (the core HR information system) searching on analyst role profiles. We have excluded technical analysts (such as chemical) and focussed on data and information analysts following clarification with the Deputy . The information is at 1st September 2023.

A search was conducted on analytics, analysis, data analysis'.

Chief Operating Office

The  Chief  Operating  Office  includes  Modernisation  &  Digital  and  People  &  Corporate Services. Modernisation & Digital is responsible for providing government departments with the technology, data and digital tools to better serve their customers and drive the digital transformation of public services. The directorate covers both  change programmes and business as usual run-type' activities.

In the change programmes the analyst roles are Business Analysts who analyse and re-design business processes and define system requirements. The number of business analysts can fluctuate based on programme and project needs, but we have 9 permanent roles that align to a Business Analyst. Business Analysts work on projects such as the Electronic Patient Record, Connect, and Service Digitisation.

In running the business, M&D is also responsible for corporate data, and we have 4 data quality analysts who review and correct data in our corporate data sets such as name and address. Additionally, we have 5 analysts that carry out duties in information security, reviewing threats and managing access and control.

CYPES

These roles analyse predominately school place planning, education attainment, demographics modelling and data returns from different sectors.

CLS

These  roles  split  between  business  analysts,  examining  business  process  efficiency  and improvements and data analytics for customer statistics, usage and reporting.

HCS

The roles cover demographic reporting, service level and quality reporting, analytics into service usages, compliance reporting and service planning including surgeries and discharge rates.

I&E

The two roles analyse the GIS (Geographic information system). JHA

Roles cover crime analysis, risk analysis and service performance. Includes States of Jersey Police.

SPPP

Roles include public health analytics, statistics, and researchers. Treasury & Exchequer

Roles include financial analysis and reporting, commercial and supply chain analysis, Revenue Jersey analytics, group financial reporting, treasury management and corporate compliance.

2. communications, PR and marketing staff

CYPES: Participation and engagement, student marketing and education campaigns. Cabinet Office: public health campaigns.

I&E: Carbon neutral campaigns, public notices and infrastructure communications. JHA: Major incidents and financial intelligence unit.

HCS:  Internal  and  operational  communications,  patient  communications  and  incident management.

Roles exclude other bodies where they have their own communications, PR and marketing services outside of the Government.

11. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Children and Education regarding the Jersey Teacher Training students now employed as Early Career Teachers. (WQ.332/2023)

Question

Will the Minister detail how many of the 23 JTT (Jersey Teacher Training) students enrolled in 2022, and who completed their training in 2023, are now employed as ECTs (Early Career Teachers) in Jersey schools and colleges?

Answer

24 students started the Jersey Graduate Teacher Training Programme (JGTTP) in September 2022. Of these, 19 students who studied full time in the 2022/23, are now employed as teachers in Jersey schools and colleges.

Fewer than five students started studying in September 2022 on a part time basis and are not due to complete their training until 2024. Additionally, fewer than five students who enrolled in 2022 did not complete the training.

Due to the low numbers involved it is not possible to give the exact numbers of those studying part time, or those who did not complete the course, as it could risk the identification of individuals. The above figures do however confirm that 79% of those who started in September 2022 are now working as teachers. This number is expected to rise when those studying part time complete the course next year.

12. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs regarding domestic abuse cases since 2018. (WQ.333/2023)

Question

Will the Minister provide the number of cases involving domestic abuse that the police have been called to each year since 2018?

Answer

The below figures reflect the following data:

• Domestic incident logs (iLogs) – calls and reports from members of the public which, on closing of the log, have been identified as domestic related.

• Domestic incident reports – these are recorded episodic domestic abuse incidents which have been reported by a number of avenues and can reflect a series of domestic abuse.

• Recorded crimes – these are formal Home Office recorded crimes which will be assigned a Home Office outcome and reported.

*2023 figures reflect volumes recorded between 01/01/2023 to 20/09/2023

13. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding Government funding distributed to charities. (WQ.334/2023)

Question

 Will the Minister advise the amount of Government funding distributed to charities for each year since 2018?

Answer

While funding provided to registered charities is not specifically tracked, the majority of the distributions will be in the form of grants which are reported in the Annual Report and Accounts. The table provided in Appendix 1 consolidates the grants disclosures from 2018 – 2022. This is a full list including entities that are not registered charities.

The table in Appendix 1 will not include any payments to charities as part of a service contract which would be paid out of departmental expenditure and not separately reported. For example, Family Nursing and Home Care are a registered charity providing a service on behalf of the government which is invoiced and paid as a supplier.

To answer this question fully, all government expenditure would need to be analysed against the register of charities. Prior to undertaking this exercise, the Minister would be happy to meet with the Deputy to discuss the request and further understand what he would like to receive.

Appendix 1 – Consolidated Grant Expenditure Disclosures from the States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts 2018 - 2022

Notes:

• The grants disclosure note in the Annual Report and Accounts ordinarily only lists grants of £75,000 or more. Over 2021 and 2022 more detail was provided to list out more of the grants issued through the Fiscal Stimulus Fund and Economic Recovery Fund.

• Some rounding has been applied where figures were published to the nearest £000.

• FS prefix denotes payments identified as made under the Fiscal Stimulus scheme.

• ERF prefix denotes payments identified as made from the Economic Recovery Fund.

• See page 258 in the States of Jersey Group 2022 Annual Report and Accounts (gov.je) for the grant expenditure disclosure.

14. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North of the Chief Minister regarding civil litigation cases taken against the Government or a Minister. (WQ.335/2023)

Question

Will the Chief Minister state the number of civil litigation cases taken against the Government or any Minister in that capacity each year since 2018?

The following table contains the number of healthcare and failure-to-remove ("FTR") claims (i.e. civil proceedings instituted in the Royal Court of Jersey) since 2018.

It does not include:

• any civil litigation which is pre-action;

• any  employment/discrimination  claims  issued  in  the  Jersey  Employment  and Discrimination Tribunal;

• any human rights related claims;

• any employer liability ("EL") claims, which are typically dealt with by insurers.

15. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding personal tax audit investigations. (WQ.336/2023)

Question

Will the Minister provide information on the number of personal tax audit investigations that have been undertaken over the last 10 years, broken down by income bands of £20,000 –

1. £20,000 - £40,000
2. £40,000 - £60,000
3. £60,000 - £80,000
4. £80,000 - £100,000
5. £100,000 - £120,000
6. £120,000 - £140,000
7. £140,000 - £160,000
8. £160,000 - £180,000
9. £180,000 - £200,000; and
10. £200,000+?

WQ.254/2023 provides information about Revenue Jersey's wider compliance programme. Revenue Jersey does not hold the information requested in the specified format. Data on personal income tax audits is available from 2021.

In 2021, over £5.5 million in additional income tax was assessed against 105 personal taxpayers.

In 2022, over £2.3 million in additional income tax was assessed against 84 personal taxpayers.

16. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Chief Minister regarding the shipping costs relating to all chemical and microbiological analysis. (WQ.337/2023)

Question

Further to the response provided to Written Question 203/2022 will the Chief Minister provide the shipping costs relating to all chemical and microbiological analysis not carried out on Island, over the last five years?

Answer

As the Deputy is aware, the response to WQ 203/2022 provided certain information regarding the cost of chemical and microbiological analysis by departments over a five-year period in instances where it wasn't possible for the analysis to be undertaken on Island. It was noted that the figures provided in that response excluded shipping costs, however.

The task of identifying shipping costs specifically for all chemical and microbiological analysis is not straightforward. The main providers of this service are used across the Government of Jersey for numerous purposes. In seeking to respond to this question, officers have extracted preliminary data in respect of the service providers involved, but further analysis would be required to identify specific transactions which relate to the shipping of chemical and microbiological materials. The preliminary data does not of itself give any broad indication in this respect. Further exploration of this preliminary data would likely require cross-referencing with the relevant courier in the case of each individual transaction where a chemical or microbiological material were transported.

Whilst work will continue to seek to provide as much relevant information to the Deputy as is possible, practical constraints could be prohibitive. Officers would be pleased to meet the Deputy in person to discuss and further explain the difficulties of extracting the specific data to address the question. A further public response could then be provided following that meeting.

17. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding prescribed opioid medications. (WQ.338/2023)

Question

In respect to prescribed opioid medications, will the Minister state –

1. what safeguards are in place to monitor and prevent addiction;
2. what opioid prescription guidelines are followed;

3. when the prescription guidelines were last reviewed; and
4. if records are kept regarding opioid prescriptions, and if they are, publish these for the last five years?

Answer

1. what safeguards are in place to monitor and prevent addiction;

Safeguards currently in place include the following:

• Services will follow the relevant guidance, which includes safeguards – available through professional bodies such as:

• the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• the Royal College of General Practitioners
• the Royal College of Nursing

• Annual practice prescribing review meetings and 1:1 prescriber reviews include a focus on opioid prescribing.

• Information about opioid prescribing is reported to GP practices. This includes the following data:

• Amount of all opioid prescriptions
• Amount of high dose opioid prescriptions
• Amount of oxycodone prescriptions
• Amount of Tramadol prescriptions
• Amount of Dihydrocodeine prescriptions

• Information is provided to allow practices and prescribers to highlight areas of practice for review.

• HCS has a team of Clinical Pharmacists who review medicines prescribed to inpatients to ensure that they are appropriate for individual patients. High risk medicines are prioritised, which includes opioids.

• Patients who have been administered Naloxone (which reverses the effects of opioids) are also reviewed as a priority, as this can indicate that a patient has received an overdose.

• HCS has implemented an Electronic Prescribing system, which produces alerts if more than one opioid is prescribed at a time, so that prescribers are aware that they are prescribing another opioid.

• HCS has a Medicines Optimisation Committee which provides oversight and assurance of the safe, effective and economic use of medicines within HCS.

• The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is responsible for making recommendations to the Minister for Social Security for changes to the Approved List of Pharmaceutical Preparations (the Prescribed List').

2. what opioid prescription guidelines are followed;

It is useful to first describe what an opioid medicine is, as there are many different opioids of differing potencies:

• Opioids are a type of medicine that will help relieve pain. Weak opioids such as codeine and dihydrocodeine are used to treat mild to moderate pain. Strong opioids such as morphine and oxycodone are more effective for severe pain.

• The brain produces naturally occurring opioids to relieve pain. Most opioids medicines act at the brain's opioid receptors meaning that they mimic the actions of naturally occurring opioids to relieve pain.

• Opioid tolerance can occur when a person taking opioid medication begins to experience a reduced response to the medication – meaning that an increase in the medication dosage is required to produce the same effects.

• Opioid dependence occurs when the body adjusts its normal functioning around regular  opioid  use.  Unpleasant  physical  symptoms  can  occur  when  the medication is stopped.

Prescribers will use various resources to aid with their prescribing. With specific regard to opioids. This includes:

• Guidance produced by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists

• Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

3. when the prescription guidelines were last reviewed; and

The guidelines are produced by national bodies who will update them when appropriate.

4. If records are kept regarding opioid prescriptions, and if they are, publish these for the last five years?

The number of prescription items dispensed by the Hospital Pharmacy – for outpatient and discharge prescriptions:

The number of prescription items dispensed by Community Pharmacies:

Further information

How opioid prescribing can lead to addiction:

• Opioids produce pain relief – and for some people – a sense of heightened wellbeing (euphoria).

• Experiencing euphoria after taking opioids may be a warning sign of vulnerability to opioid addiction. This can occur in people taking opioids as prescribed.

• Other contributing factors to addiction may include family history and environmental and lifestyle factors.

• The decision to prescribe a medicine – including opioid medicines – is a clinical one, which is the responsibility of the prescriber. This includes responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of medicines and an understanding of any side effects.

• Prescribers should only prescribe enough of a controlled drug to meet a patient's clinical needs for no more than 30 days.

Details on addiction and signs of:

• Addiction is different to dependence.

• Addiction is features tolerance and withdrawal but is also accompanied by cravings, lack of control, overuse and continued use despite harm.

• Addiction is also associated with problematic behaviours including dose escalations - which are not prescribed.

18. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chief Minister regarding Government policy on the provision of community and postal services. (WQ.339/2023)

Question

Following the recent announcement that four post offices in Channel Island Co-operative Society stores are due to close, and the lack of provision of a mail plane following a decision by Royal Mail, will the Chief Minister –

1. state what  the Government policy is  regarding the provision  of  community  and business postal and post office services; and
2. if an impact assessment has been undertaken in developing the Government policy, and if not, why not?

The provision of community and business postal and post office services is an operational matter for Jersey Post. The Government's relationship with Jersey Post is managed via the shareholder management function within the Department for Treasury and Exchequer. As the Shareholder Representative, the Minister for Treasury and Resources approves Jersey Post's annual business plan and maintains regular engagement with Jersey Post. The Government supports the provision of community and business postal and post office services where these are operationally and commercially viable.

The decision to close four post offices was, accordingly, an operational decision taken following discussions between the Channel Islands Co-operative Society and Jersey Post. Full assessments for each branch were undertaken by Jersey Post. I am advised that Jersey Post will be advertising for replacement Post Offices at Pontac, Beaumont and Georgetown and is not seeking to close branches.

It is important to note that, after these four closures, there will be two main branches and 12 community branches operating across the Island.

19. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Chief Minister regarding Government communications. (WQ.340/2023)

Question

In light of concerns relating to communications on the part of Government or by Government officers and the recent disclosure of the number of staff in and cost of its communication function, will the Chief Minister –

1. undertake a review into the cost, structure, and quality of the Communications function within the Cabinet Office as a matter of urgency, as well as the social media policy for Government officers;
2. for the purposes of the review, compare the cost and numbers of staff employed in Government communications with other small jurisdictions and if not, why not; and

if not, why not? Answer

As part of the ongoing development of the Cabinet Office, Ministers will continue to keep under consideration the whole Cabinet Office function and how this can most effectively support the work of Jersey's Government and the services it provides, ensuring that important information is provided to the public in a clear, open and understandable manner. This will include, for example, public health information, internal communications, as well as communicating Government policy and its implementation.

Work is already being undertaken by the Interim Chief Executive and will include looking at examples of good practice in other comparable jurisdictions so that improvements can be made across the Cabinet Office, and value for money achieved for taxpayers.

The review of protocols, which includes the social media policy for Government officers, is ongoing and part of business-as-usual activity. This reflects one of our public sector values which is "Always Improving".

20. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the ceiling for Income Tax thresholds. (WQ.341/2023)

Question

Will the Minister explain the basis on which the ceiling for income tax thresholds is set, or calculated, and how this is regarded in the context of policy concerns of the Comptroller that cliff edges' in the imposition of taxation should be avoided, notwithstanding marginal relief?

Answer

It has been the standing policy of successive governments to uprate the main income tax exemption thresholds annually by the lower of June RPI and average earnings (reported in August). The Single Person's exemption threshold – the principal tax allowance (proposed to be £20,000 for 2024) which will exist within Independent Taxation – has been maintained at a level which exceeds a full States "old age pension" (currently around £13,180). It, along with other allowances, was uprated significantly to compensate for the introduction of GST on food at the same time as the introduction of the Food Cost Bonus and Income Supplement.

Marginal Relief ensures that no cliff edge arises in the application of Jersey income tax. For example, in 2024 a person who has income of £20,001 would have a tax liability of 26 pence; income of £20,100 would generate a tax bill of £26 and so on.

21. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Chair of the States Employment Board regarding the Education Partnership between the States of Jersey and the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers). (WQ.342/2023)

Question

In respect of the Education Partnership between the States of Jersey and the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) signed in September 2014 (Education Partnership), will the Chair confirm whether it is still in place and adhered to; and, given the start of discussions on terms and conditions (T&Cs) with the Unions will the Chair provide details as to –

1. how this agreement affects these discussions;
2. whether all teaching unions have equal involvement in the development of T&Cs;
3. whether discussions in respect of T&Cs and pay for lecturers at Highlands College include all unions or just one single union;
4. the extent to which unions are able to attend meetings and have their voices heard; and
5. how the final agreement will be decided across all unions?

I can confirm  that the Education Partnership as referenced by the Deputy  is  no longer operational with the last meeting between representatives of the Government of Jersey and the NASUWT under the terms of the Partnership undertaken in 2018. Therefore, to  answer question A, the agreement does not affect the discussions on terms and conditions with the teaching unions.

(b)

The NASUWT and NEU have equal involvement in the development of the T&C's. (c)

Separate meetings will be held for Lecturers as they do not form part of the bargaining group for Teachers. Highlands College Lecturers have a single recognition agreement with NASUWT.

(d)

Representatives have been given time off to attend the terms and conditions review – this was agreed and supported by the Group Director of Education. Meetings did not take place during their summer holidays.

(e)

It is envisaged that the parties will work in partnership in reaching agreement and prior to any changes being made to Terms and Conditions.

22. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Children and Education regarding meetings between CYPES and the teaching unions. (WQ.343/2023)

Question

Will the Minister provide details of the meetings which have taken place between CYPES and the teaching unions with regard to Terms and Conditions since 2014, to include the following –

1. the dates and attendees at each meeting;
2. the extent to which the Education Partnership affects (or has affected) any discussions;
3. whether lecturers at Highlands College are represented by all unions or one single union; and

the scheduled dates for any future meetings? Answer

1. Discussions which focus on contractual changes to teachers' terms and conditions are led by Employee Relations (part of People and Corporate Services). CYPES Officials are asked at times to support Employee Relations colleagues as requested. CYPES Officials do not retain a record of all these meetings.

In 2019, CYPES Officers supported Employee Relations with the delivery of (the earlier titled) Education Reform Programme, which sought to achieve agreement to redistribute funds for the additional pay offer to Teachers and to employees on the Teaching Assistants' Framework.

Five meetings were held and the attendees at each meeting are listed below: Meeting 1 - 18th September 2019

Director Policy & Planning (CYPES)

Strategic Director Employment Relations (GOJ)

Unite Union representatives x 2

Prospect Union representatives x 2

NEU representatives x 2

NASUWT representatives x 4

NAHT representative

Director Standards & Achievement (CYPES)

Business Partner – Finance (T&R)

Head of Facilities Management (CYPES)

Senior HR Business Partner for Children, Young People, Education & Skills (COO)

Meeting 2 – 10th October

Director Policy & Planning (CYPES)

Strategic Director Employment Relations (GOJ)

Unite Union representative

Prospect Union representatives x 2

NEU representatives x 3

NASUWT representatives x 3

Business Partner – Finance (T&R)

Head of Facilities Management (CYPES)

Senior HR Business Partner for Children, Young People, Education & Skills (COO) Programme Consultant Total Reward Review (People Services)

Meeting 3 – 21st November

Director Policy & Planning (CYPES)

Strategic Director Employment Relations (GOJ) NEU representatives x 2

NASUWT representatives x 3

Prospect Union representatives x 2

Unite Union representative

Business Partner – Finance (T&R)

Director Standards & Achievement (CYPES) Senior HR Business Partner (CYPES)

Head of Facilities Management (CYPES) Project Officer (CYPES)

Meeting 4 – 4th December

Director Policy & Planning (CYPES)

Strategic Director Employment Relations (GOJ) NEU representatives x 2

NASUWT representatives x 2

Prospect representative

Business Partner – Finance (T&R)

Director Standards & Achievement (CYPES) Head of Facilities Management (CYPES) Project Officer (CYPES)

Meeting 5 – 12th December

Director Policy & Planning (CYPES)

NEU representatives x 3

Unite Union representative

NASUWT representatives x 4

Prospect representative

Strategic Director Employment Relations (GOJ) Business Partner – Finance (T&R)

Senior HR Business Partner (CYPES)

Project Officer (CYPES)

In addition, I can confirm that Officers in CYPES and Employee Relations meet on a quarterly basis with all unions working in schools to explore numerous issues raised, including working conditions; changes to operational practices; and progress with the Education Reform Programme. These meetings do not discuss agenda items focusing on contractual terms and conditions related issues.

Quarterly meetings have been held of the below dates:

26 January 2022

23 May 2022

13 July 2022

30 November 2022

22 February 2023

14 June 2023

Scheduled:

27 September 2023 8 November 2023 21 February 2024

Additionally, the Minister for Children and Education has attended meetings as per below list:

19th July 2022 – Education Partnership Discussion

NASUWT Representatives x2 Chief Minister

Assistant Chief Minister

Minister for Children and Education Director General Education

Head of Office Education

31st August 2022 - National Education Union, Chief Minister and Minister for C&E

NEU Representatives x3

Chief Minister

Assistant Chief Minister

Minister for Children and Education Chief Officer CYPES

Group Director Education

Group Director Chief Operating Office

21st October 2022 – National Associate of Head Teachers

NAHT Representatives x2

Chief Minister

Assistant Chief Minister

Minister for Children and Education Chief Officer CYPES

Group Director Education

Group Director Chief Operating Office

2. The Education Partnership as referenced by the Deputy is no longer operational, with the last meeting between representatives of the Government of Jersey and the NASUWT under the terms of the Partnership taking place in 2018. These Partnership meetings ran alongside the concomitant Education Forum, through which officers met with the other teaching and education leadership unions.

As no meetings have taken place since 2018, the Partnership agreement does not impact on the current terms and conditions review with the teaching unions.

The scope of work as detailed in the Terms of Reference for the Partnership (agreed in 2014) included a focus on:

• improvement agenda (including performance management, Further Education and skills strategy);

• workforce rewards strategy (including pay and allowances);

• workforce modernisation (including non-pay conditions);

• culture change (professional agency).

Dates of meetings, attendee, minutes of meetings and Partnership Notes can be found at the link provided in the Deputy 's question above.

The key areas of work explored by the Partnership were as follows:

• Curriculum

• Autonomy in schools

• Development of a staff survey

• Development of the Jersey Premium

• Assessment Framework

• Moderation

• School Starting Age

• Jersey School Review Framework

• Development of best practice reports to reduce teacher workload

• Jersey Special Educational Needs Code of Practice

The work of the Education Partnership primarily centred on reform issues within Education. Reference was made in the January 2017 Partnership Note on the wider benefits of the Education Partnership to the workload modernisation agenda.

3. Highlands College Lecturers have a single recognition agreement with NASUWT. The NEU provided no data referencing members within Highlands College in the recent strike notification.

Dates for future meetings regarding Terms and Conditions are outlined below:

27/09/2023

18/10/2023 - Scheduled IA day, to be reviewed/ amended

08/11/2023

29/11/2023

10/01/2023