PPC Minutes 3rd October 2007

PH/KAK/288  224

PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE (57th Meeting)

3rd October 2007

PART A

All members were present.

Connétable D.F. Gray of St. Clement - Chairman Senator M.E. Vibert

Connétable K.A. Le Brun of St. Mary

Deputy G.C.L. Baudains

Deputy S.C. Ferguson

Deputy J. Gallichan

Deputy I.J. Gorst

In attendance -

M.N. de la Haye, Greffier of the States

Mrs. A.H. Harris , Deputy Greffier of the States

Miss P. Horton, Clerk to the Privileges and Procedures Committee

Note: The Minutes of this meeting comprise Part A and Part B.

Minutes. A1.  The Minutes of the meetings held on 5th September 2007 (Part A and Part B)

and 18th September 2007 (Part A only), having been previously circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.

Official A2.  The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A11 of 3rd May 2007, photographic discussed  whether  all  States  members  should  be  issued  with  a  form  of  official identification. identification.

465/1(76)

The  Committee  recalled  that  the  matter  of  issuing  members  with  photographic identification had been raised by Deputy A.E. Pryke of Trinity . At that time it had been concluded that there was no evidence that this was a major problem for the majority of States members and the matter had not been pursued.

The  Committee  was  advised  that  as  a  result  of  not  having  a  form  of  official photographic identification some members of the Environment Scrutiny Panel had encountered problems when trying to gain access to certain buildings whilst visiting other jurisdictions. Although it was established that the Panel members had been issued with visiting cards these were also issued to officers who were on the trip and it was opined that States members should be provided with official identification that would distinguish them as politicians.

The Committee advised that it did not want to encourage a situation in which it would become compulsory for all States members to carry official identification with them  at  all  times.  However,  the  Committee  agreed  that  if  some  members  were experiencing problems it might be beneficial to give States members the option to apply for official photographic identification if they felt it was necessary.

The Committee agreed the cost of supplying official photographic identification to States members should be established.

The Greffier of the States was directed to take the necessary action.

States sittings - A3.  The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A4 of 11th April 2007, adjournment at received and considered a report in connexion with the adjournment of States sittings 5.30 p.m. at 5.30 p.m. 1240/2/1(1)

Encl. The Committee recalled that it had agreed that it was not satisfactory for States

sittings  to  continue  later  than  5.30  p.m.  rather  than  come  back  on  a  scheduled continuation  day,  particularly  as  many  members  had  parish,  family  or  other commitments in the evening and needed to make plans on the basis that the work of the Assembly would conclude by 5.30 p.m. or shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, it was noted that on 11th September 2007 the Assembly voted to carry on and the debate continued uninterrupted. Deputy Gallichan advised the Committee that due to the decision to continue many members of the States had to make last minute childcare arrangements and postpone other commitments. This resulted in Deputy Gallichan having to leave the Chamber and miss some of the summing up of the debate. Deputy Gallichan suggested that if it seemed a debate was going to continue the matter should be raised no later than 5.15 p.m. and a vote taken. If the Assembly voted to continue  then  a period  of  recess  should  ensue  to  allow  members  to  make  any necessary arrangements without missing any part of the debate.

The Committee agreed that it was not satisfactory to continue late into the evening when a continuation meeting was scheduled for the following day although it was recognised that occasionally it could be a very important debate which merited the continuation. The Committee was concerned that asking States members to indicate how much longer they proposed to continue could encourage more members to take part in the debate. However, it was agreed that if it seemed that a debate was going to carry on members would be asked if they wished to continue and if so a short recess would ensue in order to allow members to make any necessary arrangements.

Matters for A4.  The Committee noted the following matters for information - information.

1. correspondence  dated 19th  September 2007, sent  to  All Chief Officers/Department Headsregardingthe Code of Practice onPublic Access to OfficialInformation:InformationAsset Register;
2. D  eputy Gallichan advised theCommittee that the working groupwhich had  been  set  up  to  consider in more  detail  the  proposed recommendationsforchanges to thePublic Elections (Jersey) Law2002 had  met recently.  The working  group had discussed the recommendationssomeofwhichhad been accepted and some had been rejected. Deputy Gallichanadvised that a report would beprepared for the Committee's consideration;
3. t he Deputy Greffierofthe States advised the Committee that although the Freedom of Information Lawhad been issued for consultation so far no responses had been received. The Deputy Greffier had reminded departments to respond assoonas possible;
4. the  Committee confirmed  that  its  next  meeting  would  be held  on Wednesday, 17th October 2007, commencing at 9.00 a.m. in the Le Capelain Room, States Building, Royal Square.