States Minutes 11th October 1988

THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 11th October, 1988 at 10.15 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Sir Peter Crill, C.B.E. ____________

All members were present with the exception of –

Margaret Sylvia Rose Beadle, Deputy of St. Brelade – out of the Island.

Michael Adam Wavell, Deputy of St. Helier – out of the Island.

Derek Ryder Maltwood, Deputy of St. Mary – ill.

____________

Prayers ____________

Subordinate legislation tabled.

The following enactments, were laid before the States, namely –

1. Motor Vehicles  (Driving  Licences)  (Amendment) (Jersey) Order, 1988. R & O 7809.
2. Road  Racing  (Motor Vehicle  Rally)  (Jersey)  Order, 1988. R & O 7810.
3. Depositors and Investors (Prevention of Fraud) (List of Registered Persons) (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey) Order, 1988. R & O 7811.
4. Road  Traffic  (Saint  Lawrence)  (Amendment  No. 7) (Jersey) Order, 1988. R & O 7812.

321   Price : 75p

5. Post Office (Postal Orders) (Amendment No. 12) (Jersey) Order, 1988. R & O 7813.

Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1987.

The Public Health Committee by Act dated 8th June, 1988, presented to the States a Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1987.

THE STATES ordered that the said Report be printed and distributed.

Tourism in Jersey: 1987/88. R.C.17.

The Tourism Committee by Act dated 29th September, 1988, presented to the States a Report on tourism in Jersey 1987/88.

THE STATES ordered that the said Report be printed and distributed.

Housing – price control and building loans scheme: Report. P.124/88.

The Housing Committee by Act dated 30th September, 1988, presented to the States a Report on housing price control and the building loans scheme.

THE STATES ordered that the said Report be printed and distributed.

Matters noted – land transaction.

THE STATES noted an Act of the Finance and Economics Committee dated 3rd October, 1988, showing that in pursuance of Standing Orders relating to certain transactions in land, the Committee had approved, as recommended by the Housing Committee, the sale to the Parish of St. Helier of Dummy Lane, St. Helier , for a nominal consideration of £10, with each party being responsible for the payment of its own legal fees.

Matters noted – financial transaction.

THE STATES noted an Act of the Finance and Economics Committee dated 5th September, 1988, showing that in pursuance of Rule 5 of the Public Finances (General) (Jersey) Rules, 1967, as amended, the Committee had noted that the Housing Committee had accepted the lowest of five tenders, namely that submitted by Mark Amy Limited, in the sum of £2,246,969 in a contract period of 90 weeks for the construction of 51 units of accommodation at Vauxhall Gardens, St. Helier .

Matters lodged.

The following subjects were lodged "au Greffe" –

1. Draft Invalid Care Allowance (Jersey) Regulations, 198 . P.12/88.

Presented by the Social Security Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 8th November, 1988.

2. Loan scheme to enable fishermen to conform to new safety standards. P.122/88.

Presented by the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 15th November, 1988.

3. Draft Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) (Jersey) Regulations, 198 . P.123/88.

Presented by the Harbours and Airport Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 15th November, 1988.

4. Occupation and liberation: proposals for memorials and for the future celebration of Liberation Day. P.125/88.

Presented by the Occupation and Liberation Committee.

The following subjects were lodged on 4th October, 1988 –

1. Public 18-hole golf course: rezoning of land at Les Quennevais, St. Brelade . P.119/88.

Presented by Senator Richard Joseph Shenton. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 15th November, 1988.

2. Draft Public Service Vehicles (Fees) (Amendment No. 5) (Jersey) Regulations, 198 . P.120/88.

Presented by the Defence Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 8th November, 1988.

Budget 1989.

The President of the Finance and Economics Committee informed the States that the debate on the 1989 Budget would be held on 6th and 7th December, 1988.

Minimum income and expense allowance payable to States Members. Questions and answers.

Deputy Maurice Clement Buesnel of St. Helier asked Deputy Edgar John Becquet of Trinity , President of the Legislation Committee the following questions –

"1. Will the President confirm that his Committee is

proposing that the annual expenses allowance payable to Members should be increased from £500 to £2,000 a year?

2. If the answer is in the affirmative, will the President say when his Committee's proposition will be presented to the House?
3. The sum which can be paid to elected Members to ensure the receipt of a minimum income is at present only available to Members under the age of65or who have only obtained that age since the date of their most recent election to the States.

Will the President say whether his Committee is prepared to re-examine this rule with a view to ensuring that all Members can share the same privileges of elected office in the States?"

The President of the Legislation Committee replied as follows –

"1. My Committee at its meeting yesterday, approved

draft legislation to increase, with effect from 1st January, 1989, the sum payable to States Members in respect of personal expenses from £500 to £2,000.

2. I am unable to give the Deputy a definite date when the proposition will be presented to the States as the draft Act, in accordance with Article 4 of the Public Finances (General) (Jersey) Rules, 1967, has been referred to the Finance and Economics Committee for its comments. I hope however, that the States will be able to consider this matter sometime next month.
3. My Committee has decided that it is not prepared to consider such a proposal at this time."

St. Helier waterfront: appointment of a consultant. Question and answer.

Deputy Sir Martin Le Quesne of St. Saviour asked the Connétable of St. John , President of the Island Development Committee, the following question –

"Can the President say when he expects to be in a position to appoint a consultant to advise on the development of the whole foreshore between West Park and the Dicq in accordance with the intention of his Committee of which the Members of the States were informed in his letter of July 20th?"

The President of the Island Development Committee replied as follows –

"The Committee will be meeting on 13th October to receive a report and recommendations from its officers and to discuss this subject.

It is not possible for me to say when a consultant will be appointed; the Committee has no funds in its 1988 budget for this purpose, but hopes that money can be made available by the States at the December Supply Day to enable studies to commence as soon as possible in 1989.

I am pleased to tell the House that, as we progress, I will be making regular statements to keep Members informed. No contractual commitments will be made without States' approval."

Radio Jersey. Statement.

The President of the Housing Committee made a statement in the following terms –

"On last Sunday, October 9th, I understand that Radio Jersey ran a phone-in' programme in which members of the public were able to give their views on topical issues. Whilst I myself did not hear the programme, the Vice- President of the Housing Committee did. Apparently, somebody who introduced himself as Clifford Jones of Broadland Estates, commented that both my Vice-President and I had been able to make property transactions in the past which had not been subject to price control.

I wish this House to know that there is no truth in this comment whatsoever. Both my Vice-President and I have occasionally sold property in the past, and on all occasions the Housing Department has subjected these transactions to normal price control procedures. Where the Committee has considered it appropriate for the Jersey Panel of Quantity Surveyors to be consulted, it has done so. Further, in every case the proposed transaction was submitted to the full Housing Committee with the Vice-President or myself, as appropriate, leaving the room during the discussion.

I do not wish to be seen to over-react to an ill-informed comment on radio, but I do wish this House to be reassured that my Committee's policies and procedures are applied without fear or favour to all transactions."

Archirondel Cottage, Archirondel, St. Martin : transfer of administration.

THE STATES adopting a Proposition of the Harbours and Airport Committee, agreed to transfer the administration of the property known as Archirondel Cottage, Archirondel, from the Harbours and Airport Committee to the Housing Committee.

Bus service: free travel for pensioners and modifications to the Weighbridge. P.116/88.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Defence Committee agreed in principle –

1. that financial assistance should be given to J.M.T.(1987) Limited so as to provide free travel on the buses for Jersey residents of pensionable age;
2. modifications to the terminus at the Weighbridge, as detailed in the Report of the Defence Committee, dated September, 1988.

Members present voted as follows –

"Pour" (45)

Senators

Shenton, Jeune , Binnington, Horsfall, Ellis, Baal, Rothwell, Manton, Brooke, Le Maistre, Carter.

Connétable s

Grouville , St. John , St. Helier , St. Clement , St. Lawrence , St. Mary , St. Ouen , St. Saviour , St. Brelade , Trinity , St. Martin .

Deputies

De La Haye(H), Morel (S), Le Gallais(S), Roche(S), Le Quesne(S), Vandervliet(L) Rumboll(H), Grouville , Blampied(H), Billot(S), Norman(C), St. John , St. Peter , St. Martin , Baudains(C), Buesnel(H), Horne(H), Le Sueur (H), St. Ouen , Coutanche(L), Huelin(B), Bailhache (H), Rabet(H).

"Contre" (1) Deputy

Trinity .

Concessionary bus fares and alterations to Weighbridge bus terminus: additional votes of credit. P.118/88.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Finance and Economics Committee, acceded to the request for the following supplementary vote of credit to be voted out of the general reserve –

Defence Committee

1129 – Concessionary bus fares £230,500 CO141 – Alterations to Weighbridge

bus terminus £70,000

Supply Days and budget flexibility. P.109/88.

THE STATES commenced consideration of a Proposition of the Finance and Economics Committee regarding Supply Days and budget flexibility. The Finance and Economics Committee accepted an amendment of Senator John Stephen Rothwell that in paragraph (a) for the word two' there should be substituted the word three' and for the word one' there should be substituted the word two'.

THE STATES adopted the Proposition and –

1. reduced the number of Supply Days from four to three in 1989, and two in 1990 and thereafter;
2. authorised the Finance and Economics Committee to allocate monies from the general reserve for inflation and pay awards;

3. authorised the Finance and Economics Committee to approve transfers between block votes.

Weather radar tower, La Rue Baal, La Moye: green zone exception. P.104/88.

THE STATES commenced consideration of a Proposition of the Island Development Committee regarding the construction of a new weather radar tower. Having rejected the Proposition of Deputy Sir Martin Le Quesne of St. Saviour that the Proposition be referred back to the Committee, the States authorised the Island Development Committee to grant permission for the construction of a new weather radar tower on land in the green zone to the west of old defence works at La Rue Baal, La Moye, as shown on drawing No. 842/SK06.

Members present voted as follows –

"Pour" (36)

Senators

Jeune , Binnington, Horsfall, Ellis, Baal, Rothwell, Le Main, Manton, Le Maistre.

Connétable s

Grouville , St. John , St. Helier , St. Clement , St. Lawrence , St. Mary , St. Ouen , St. Saviour , Trinity , St. Martin .

Deputies

De La Haye(H), Morel (S), Roche(S), Trinity , Vandervliet(L), Rumboll(H), Blampied(H), Billot(S), Norman(C), St. John , St. Peter , St. Martin , Baudains(C), Le Sueur (H), St. Ouen , Huelin(B), Rabet(H).

"Contre" (7)

Senators

Brooke, Carter.

Connétable

St. Brelade .

Deputies

Grouville , Buesnel(H), Horne(H), Bailhache (H).

Weather radar tower, La Rue Baal, La Moye: acquisition of land. P.106/88.

THE STATES adopting a Proposition of the Harbours and Airport Committee –

1. approved the purchase from Mr. Martin Richardson and others of approximately 4.5 vergées of land at La Moye, St. Brelade , shown shaded yellow on Drawing No. 842/sk05, required for the construction of a new weather radar tower on the site, for a consideration of £15,000 with each party being responsible for the payment of its own legal fees;
2. authorised the Greffier of the States to sign the said Drawing on behalf of the States;
3. authorised the payment or discharge of the expenses to be incurred in connexion with the acquisition of the land and of all interests therein, out of the vote of credit granted to the Committee under the heading Weather Radar' – Vote C8804;
4. authorised the Attorney General and the Greffier of the States to pass on behalf of the public any contracts which it might be found necessary to pass in connexion with the purchase of the said land and any interest therein.

Le Marais, St. Clement : infill scheme. P.115/88.

THE STATES commenced consideration of a Proposition of the Housing Committee regarding development at Le Marais Estate, St. Clement . After discussion, Senator Reginald Robert Jeune proposed that the States move to the consideration of the next item on the Order Paper, which proposition was carried, more than twenty members voting in support thereof.

THE STATES rose at 6.45 p.m.

R.S. GRAY, Deputy Greffier of the States.