PPC Minutes 20th February 2009

A-  15 CH/JAC/308

PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE (3rd Meeting)

20th February 2009

PART A

All members were present, with the exception of Deputy J.B. Fox and Deputy J.A. Martin,  from  whom  apologies  had  been  received.   Deputy  M.R.  Higgins  was  not present for Item Nos. A1 and A2.

Connétable J Gallichan of St Mary, Chairman Senator B.I. Le Marquand

Deputy C.H. Egré

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy M.R. Higgins

In attendance -

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

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

Miss A-C. Heuston, 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 meeting held on 6th February 2009 (Part A and Part B),

having previously been circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.

States of Jersey A2.  The Committee received the annual report of the States of Jersey Complaints Complaints Panel for 2008, for presentation to the States.

Panel: Report for

2008. The Committee noted that there had been a significant increase in the number of 1386/6/1(2) matters referred to the Panel during 2008 and that this, coupled with amendments to

the administrative appeals system which were introduced in December 2006, had created a greater administrative burden for the Deputy Greffier.

The  Committee  agreed  that  it  would  review  the  effectiveness  of  the  procedures currently followed under the appeals system and that this should be noted by the Committee Chairman in her foreword. The Committee expressed its thanks to the Panel  Chairman  and  agreed  that  the  Panel  should  be  invited  to  attend  a  future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee Clerk was directed to take the necessary action.

Rôle of unelected A3.  The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A9 of 6th February 2009, Members of the noted correspondence from Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier in relation to the review being States: review. carried out into the rôle of the Bailiff of Jersey and the 2 Law Officers.

1240/6 (56)

The Committee recalled that it had requested further information from Deputy Le Hérissier following his indication that he was aware of suitable persons who could be approached to carry out the review. The Committee agreed to forward his suggestions to the Council of Ministers, who, after consultation with the Committee, had been directed to submit the names of the proposed Chairman and members of the review Panel to the States for approval.

The Committee Clerk was directed to take the necessary action.

Public Elections A4.  The Committee noted a written question regarding Article 39A of the Public (Jersey) Law Elections (Jersey) Law 2002, put by Deputy G.P. Southern to the Chairman of the 2002: Committee, and the Chairman's answer, to be tabled on Tuesday 24th February 2009. Article  39A.

424(8) The Committee noted that the proposition lodged au Greffe' on 4th February 2009

by Deputy G.P. Southern , entitled: Public Elections (Jersey) Law 2002: rescindment of Article  39A' (P.18/2009 refers), would be debated by the States on 12th May 2009.

The Committee agreed that it would consider Deputy Southern 's proposition at a later date.

Composition and A5.  The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A2 of 6th February 2009, election of the gave  further  consideration  to  a  number  of  documents  in  connexion  with  the States of Jersey. composition and election of the States of Jersey.

465/1 (75)

The Committee recalled that it had agreed to re-visit the issue of the reform of the composition and election of the States and noted that it had been provided with all previous relevant documentation. The Committee agreed that it was important to build on the work carried out by the previous Committee on the subject.

The  Committee  considered  the proposition entitled: Composition  of  the  States: Revised Structure and Referendum' (P.75/2007), lodged au Greffe' on 5th June 2007 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee as previously constituted, the purpose of which had been to amend the composition of the States with effect from 2011. The proposition had been rejected by 5 votes on 18th July 2007.

There  followed  a  discussion  concerning:  voter  turnout;  voting  methods;  the introduction of a single general election day; the timing of elections; the current link between Deputies and their parishes; the rôle of the Parish Connétable s; the number of States members; the introduction of a 4-year term of office for members; and the creation of large electoral districts.

The Committee considered that it would wish to propose the introduction of a single general election day, large electoral districts and a 4-year term of office for members from 2011. The Committee was not minded to propose an alteration to the number of States members at present.

The Committee agreed that a proposition should be drafted, asking the States to agree that –

1. t he current composition of the States shouldbeamended from 2011, and that  the elected  membership of the States  should be the  12 Parish Connétable s and 41 other members, elected inlargeelectoral districts;
2. f rom 2011 all electedmembers of the States shouldbeelected on a single

general election day and for a common term of office of 4 years;

3. f ollowing debateby the States, reform proposals should besubmittedto the electorate in a referendum;
4. the Committee should bring forward proposals regarding the precise boundaries and sizeof the proposed large electoral districts;
5. t he Committee shouldinvestigate the mostappropriate time of year to hold a general election; and
6. th e Committeeshouldundertakeresearchonthe merits of alternative methods ofvoting to replace the current first past the post' system.

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

Committee work A6.  The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A4 of 23rd January 2009, programme. noted that further consideration would be given to its work programme at a future 465/1 (110) meeting.

It was agreed that, in addition to items currently due for consideration at future meetings, the Committee would discuss undertaking a review of the oath of office taken by States members.

Matters for A7.  The Committee noted the following matters for information - information.

1. a proposition due to be lodged au Greffe' by the Chairmen's Committee entitled: Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee:Amendments';
2. th at the Committee would discuss the proposition lodged au Greffe' by the Connétable of St. Peter on 19th February 2009, entitled: States members' remuneration for 2009' (P.24/2009 refers) at its next meeting; and
3. t hat anyrequestsforgoodsor services had tobemade through the Greffier.

Date of next A8.  The Committee noted that its next meeting would be held on 27th February meeting. 2009, at 9.00 a.m. in the Blampied Room, States Building.