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States Minutes 30th April 2009

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THE STATES assembled on Thursday 30th April 2009, at 09.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Sir Philip Bailhache . __________________

All members were present at roll call with the exception of –

Senator Stuart Syvret – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.54 a.m.)

Senator Terence Augustine Le Sueur – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.36 a.m.)

Senator Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.36 a.m.)

Connétable John Le Sueur Gallichan of Trinity – en défaut (défaut raised at 10.01 a.m.) Deputy Collin Hedley Egré of St. Peter – ill

__________________

Prayers __________________

Suspension of States employees and States of Jersey Police Officers: revised procedures P.46/2009

THE STATES, having resumed consideration of a proposition of the Deputy of St. Martin concerning revised procedures for the suspension of States employees and States of Jersey Police Officers, as amended, adopted the proposition and agreed –

  1. to  request  the  States  Employment  Board  and  Minister  for  Home  Affairs  to  amend policies, procedures and, if necessary, relevant legislation in relation to discipline for States employees and officers of the States of Jersey Police to ensure that –
  1. when  any  States  employee  or  officer  of  the  States  of  Jersey  Police  was suspended they should, within 3 working days of the suspension, receive in writing the reason or reasons for the suspension;
  2. at the time the person concerned was formally notified of the suspension they could be accompanied by a union representative, workplace colleague or friend;
  3. 28 days after suspension, and every 28 days thereafter, the continuing need for the suspension would be reviewed by a panel drawn from within the public service which would be independent of the department where the suspended person  was  employed  and  which  would  report  its  findings  to  the  States Employment Board;
  4. the suspended person should be able to be accompanied at each such 28 day review by a union representative, workplace colleague or friend and with the Chief Officer of the Department concerned or his nominee also to be required to attend the review; and
  1. that the above revised procedures would apply to every States employee and become operative within 3 months of the approval of this proposition.

Members present voted as follows –

173   Price code: B

POUR: 29

Senator B.E. Shenton Senator A. Breckon Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Lawrence Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy of St. Martin

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H) Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy S. Pitman (H) Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy I.J. Gorst (C) Deputy of St. John

Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy A.E. Jeune (B) Deputy of St. Mary

Deputy T.M. Pitman (H) Deputy A.T. Dupré (C) Deputy T.A. Vallois (S) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy A.K.F. Green (H) Deputy D. De Sousa (H) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)


 CONTRE: 19

  Senator P.F. Routier

  Senator T.J. Le Main

  Senator F.E. Cohen

  Senator J.L. Perchard

  Senator S.C. Ferguson

  Senator A.J.D. Maclean

  Senator B.I. Le Marquand   Connétable of Grouville

  Connétable of St. Brelade   Connétable of St. Martin   Connétable of St. John

  Connétable of St. Saviour   Connétable of St. Mary

  Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

  Deputy of St. Ouen

  Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

  Deputy of Trinity

  Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B)   Deputy E.J. Noel (L)


ABSTAIN: 1

Senator T.A. Le Sueur

Arrangement of public business for the present meeting

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chief Minister, agreed, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 87(2)(b), that the debate of the proposition of Senator Stuart Syvret concerning freedom of expression for survivors seeking child abuse compensation claims (P.49/2009) should be deferred until the next scheduled States meeting on 12th May 2009.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 28   CONTRE: 20  ABSTAIN: 1

Senator T.A. Le Sueur   Senator S. Syvret   Connétable of St. Mary Senator P.F. Routier   Senator B.E. Shenton

Senator T.J. Le Main   Senator A. Breckon

Senator J.L. Perchard   Connétable of St. Helier

Senator S.C. Ferguson   Connétable of St. Lawrence

Senator A.J.D. Maclean   Deputy of St. Martin

Senator B.I. Le Marquand   Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S)

Connétable of St. Ouen   Deputy J.A. Martin (H)

Connétable of Trinity   Deputy G.P. Southern (H)

Connétable of Grouville   Deputy of Grouville

Connétable of St. Brelade   Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H)

STATES MINUTES

Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Peter Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy of St. Ouen

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H) Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy of Trinity

Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B) Deputy I.J. Gorst (C) Deputy of St. John

Deputy A.E. Jeune (B) Deputy A.T. Dupré (C) Deputy E.J. Noel (L)


30th April 2009

Deputy S. Pitman (H)

Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)

Deputy of St. Mary

Deputy T.M. Pitman (H) Deputy T.A. Vallois (S)

Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy A.K.F. Green (H) Deputy D. De Sousa (H) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)

Appointments Commission: appointment of member P.51/2009

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chief Minister, agreed, in accordance with Article 18(1) of the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005, which was concerned with the appointment of Commissioners to the Jersey Appointments Commission, to appoint Mr. Julian Rogers as a Commissioner for a period of 4 years.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 39 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

Senator T.A. Le Sueur Senator P.F. Routier

Senator T.J. Le Main Senator B.E. Shenton Senator J.L. Perchard Senator A. Breckon

Senator S.C. Ferguson Senator A.J.D. Maclean Senator B.I. Le Marquand Connétable of Trinity Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Lawrence Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy of St. Martin

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy of St. Ouen

Deputy of Grouville

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B) Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy I.J. Gorst (C) Deputy of St. John

Deputy A.E. Jeune (B) Deputy of St. Mary

Deputy A.T. Dupré (C) Deputy E.J. Noel (L) Deputy T.A. Vallois (S) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy A.K.F. Green (H) Deputy D. De Sousa (H) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)

Oral Questions with notice: abolition of time limit P.59/2009

THE STATES rejected a proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade

  1. to agree that the current time limit of 90 minutes allowed for oral questions with notice should be abolished and that the period for such questions should continue without time limit until all the questions had been answered;
  2. to request the Privileges and Procedures Committee to bring forward the necessary amendments to the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey to give effect to the proposal.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 14 CONTRE: 35 ABSTAIN: 0

Senator S. Syvret

Senator A. Breckon Connétable of St. Helier Deputy of St. Martin Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville Deputy S. Pitman (H) Deputy of St. John Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy of St. Mary Deputy T.M. Pitman (H) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy D. De Sousa (H)


Senator T.A. Le Sueur

Senator P.F. Routier

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf

Senator T.J. Le Main

Senator F.E. Cohen

Senator S.C. Ferguson

Senator A.J.D. Maclean

Senator B.I. Le Marquand

Connétable of St. Ouen

Connétable of Trinity

Connétable of Grouville

Connétable of St. Brelade

Connétable of St. Martin

Connétable of St. John

Connétable of St. Saviour

Connétable of St. Clement

Connétable of St. Peter

Connétable of St. Mary

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S)

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy of St. Ouen

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H)

Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy of Trinity

Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B)

Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)

Deputy I.J. Gorst (C)

Deputy A.E. Jeune (B)

Deputy A.T. Dupré (C)

Deputy E.J. Noel (L)

Deputy T.A. Vallois (S)

Deputy A.K.F. Green (H)

Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)

Changes in Presidency

The Bailiff briefly retired from the Chamber during consideration of Oral Questions with notice: abolition of time limit' (P.59/2009) and the meeting continued under the presidency of Mr. Michael Nelson de la Haye, Greffier of the States until his return.

Oral Questions with notice: extension to 2 hours P.40/2009

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Deputy of St. Martin , agreed that Standing Orders 13 and 63 should be amended to extend the current 90 minutes allowed for oral questions with notice from 90 minutes to 2 hours; and requested the Privileges and Procedures Committee to bring forward the necessary amendment to give effect to the proposal.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 25 CONTRE: 23 ABSTAIN: 0

Senator F.E. Cohen

Senator A. Breckon

Senator S.C. Ferguson Senator A.J.D. Maclean Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Helier Deputy of St. Martin

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H) Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H) Deputy S. Pitman (H) Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy of St. John

Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy of St. Mary

Deputy T.M. Pitman (H) Deputy A.T. Dupré (C) Deputy T.A. Vallois (S) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy A.K.F. Green (H) Deputy D. De Sousa (H)


Senator T.A. Le Sueur

Senator P.F. Routier

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf

Senator T.J. Le Main

Senator B.I. Le Marquand

Connétable of Trinity

Connétable of Grouville

Connétable of St. Brelade

Connétable of St. Martin

Connétable of St. John

Connétable of St. Saviour

Connétable of St. Clement

Connétable of St. Peter

Connétable of St. Mary

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S)

Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy of St. Ouen

Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy of Trinity

Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B)

Deputy I.J. Gorst (C)

Deputy A.E. Jeune (B)

Deputy E.J. Noel (L)

Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)

Statements on a matter of official responsibility (see Official Report/Hansard)

The Minister for Health and Social Security made a statement concerning the threat of a flu pandemic in the Island.

Arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret and associated matters P.60/2009

THE STATES, having commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St. Helier concerning the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret and associated matters, granted leave to Deputy Southern to withdraw the following paragraph of his proposition –

(e)  to request the Privileges and Procedures Committee to make an urgent statement explaining the extent of the protection offered to States members, and their constituents, by parliamentary privilege.

THE STATES adopting a proposition of Senator James Leslie Perchard, agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 84(4) the proposition of Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St. Helier concerning the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret and associated matters should be put to the vote.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 34 CONTRE: 10 ABSTAIN: 0

Senator T.A. Le Sueur Senator P.F. Routier

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf Senator T.J. Le Main Senator B.E. Shenton Senator J.L. Perchard Senator S.C. Ferguson Senator A.J.D. Maclean Senator B.I. Le Marquand Connétable of Trinity Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Mary Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy of St. Martin

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H) Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L) Deputy of Trinity

Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B) Deputy I.J. Gorst (C)


Senator S. Syvret

Senator F.E. Cohen

Senator A. Breckon

Connétable of St. Helier

Deputy J.A. Martin (H)

Deputy G.P. Southern (H)

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H) Deputy T.M. Pitman (H)

Deputy M.R. Higgins (H)

Deputy D. De Sousa (H)

Deputy of St. John Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy A.E. Jeune (B) Deputy of St. Mary Deputy A.T. Dupré (C) Deputy E.J. Noel (L) Deputy A.K.F. Green (H) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)

THE STATES rejected the proposition of Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St. Helier

  1. to express their concern in respect of the apparent interference in the communications between elected representatives and their constituents which arose from the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret on 6th April 2009;
  2. to further express their concern in respect of the suppressing effect of such actions upon other elected representatives, and members of the public;
  3. to further express their concern in respect of the searching of premises, without a search warrant, and the consequent taking of communications between members of the public and their elected representatives;
  4. to request the Minister for Home Affairs to make an urgent statement concerning the decisions, whether operational or political, taken by the States of Jersey Police and the Minister in relation to the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret;

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 15   CONTRE: 29  ABSTAIN: 1

Senator S. Syvret   Senator T.A. Le Sueur   Connétable of St. Lawrence Senator A. Breckon   Senator P.F. Routier

Connétable of St. Helier   Senator P.F.C. Ozouf

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S)   Senator T.J. Le Main

Deputy of St. Martin   Senator B.E. Shenton

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S)   Senator F.E. Cohen

Deputy J.A. Martin (H)   Senator J.L. Perchard

Deputy G.P. Southern (H)   Senator S.C. Ferguson

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (H)   Senator A.J.D. Maclean

Deputy M. Tadier (B)   Senator B.I. Le Marquand

Deputy of St. Mary   Connétable of Trinity

Deputy T.M. Pitman (H)   Connétable of Grouville

Deputy M.R. Higgins (H)   Connétable of St. Brelade

Deputy D. De Sousa (H)   Connétable of St. Martin

Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)   Connétable of St. Saviour

  Connétable of St. Clement

  Connétable of St. Mary

  Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

  Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

  Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré (L)

  Deputy of Trinity

  Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B)

  Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)

  Deputy I.J. Gorst (C)

  Deputy of St. John

  Deputy A.E. Jeune (B)

  Deputy A.T. Dupré (C)

  Deputy E.J. Noel (L)

  Deputy A.K.F. Green (H)

Declaration of interest

In accordance with Standing Order 106(1)(b), Senator Stuart Syvret declared an interest but remained in the Chamber for the duration of the debate on P.60/2009.

Changes in Presidency

The Bailiff retired from the Chamber during consideration of Arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret  and  associated  matters'  (P.60/2009)  and  the  meeting  continued  under  the  presidency  of Mr. Michael Nelson de la Haye, Greffier of the States.

Arrangement of public business for future meetings

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, agreed, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in relation to the proposition entitled Economic Stimulus Plan' (P.55/2009), in order that it could be debated on 19th May 2009.  It  was  further  agreed  that  this  reduction  would  also  extend  to  the  lodging  period  for  any amendments to P.55/2009.

THE STATES agreed the following arrangement of public business for future meetings proposed, as amended,  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Privileges  and  Procedures  Committee  in  accordance  with  the provisions of Standing Order 88(3) –

12th May 2009

Draft Health and Safety at Work (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law 200-.  P.37/2009. Lodged: 17th March 2009.

Minister for Social Security.

Draft Loi (200-) (Amendement No. 11) réglant la procédure criminelle.  P.39/2009. Lodged: 19th March 2009.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Review of the roles of the Bailiff , Attorney General and Solicitor General: terms of  P.44/2009. reference.

Lodged: 31st March 2009.

Council of Ministers.

Review of the roles of the Bailiff , Attorney General and Solicitor General: terms of  P.44/2009. reference (P.44/2009) – amendment.  Amd. Lodged: 21st April 2009.

Deputy of St. Martin .

Draft Housing (General Provisions) (Amendment No. 26) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.  P.45/2009. Lodged: 31st March 2009.

Minister for Housing.

Child abuse compensation claims: freedom of expression for survivors.  P.49/2009. Lodged: 6th April 2009.

Senator S. Syvret.

Child abuse compensation claims: freedom of expression for survivors (P.49/2009) –  P.49/2009. amendment.  Amd. Lodged: 29th April 2009.

Council of Ministers.

Committee of Inquiry: Reg's Skips Ltd. – Planning applications.  P.50/2009. Lodged: 6th April 2009.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Committee of Inquiry: Reg's Skips Ltd. – Planning applications (P.50/2009) –  P.50/2009. amendment.  Amd. Lodged: 17th April 2009.

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour .

Family X: placement in the United Kingdom.  P.62/2009. Lodged: 22nd April 2009.

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier .

Code of Conduct for elected members of the States: review.  P.63/2009. Lodged: 28th April 2009.

Deputy of St. John .

19th May 2009

Draft Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.  P.48/2009. Lodged: 6th April 2009.

Minister for Economic Development.

Economic Stimulus Plan.  P.55/2009. Lodged: 9th April 2009.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

2nd June 2009

Public Elections (Jersey) Law 2002: rescindment of Article 39A.  P.18/2009. Lodged: 4th February 2009.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier .

States Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014.  P.52/2009. Lodged: 8th April 2009.

Council of Ministers.

Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005: proposed changes.  P.54/2009 Lodged: 9th April 2009.

Public Accounts Committee.

Electricity tariffs: Regulations under Article 22 of the Electricity (Jersey) Law 1937.  P.41/2009. Lodged: 24th March 2009.

Senator A. Breckon.

Electricity tariffs: Regulations under Article 22 of the Electricity (Jersey) Law 1937  P.41/2009.

(P.41/2009) – comments.  Com. Presented: 27th April 2009.

Minister for Economic Development.

16th June 2009

La Pouquelaye old school site: provision of youth and community facilities.  P.187/2008. Lodged: 24th December 2008.

Connétable of St. Helier .

Natural gas pipeline: strategic study.  P.16/2009. Lodged: 29th January 2009.

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier .

Natural gas pipeline: strategic study (P.16/2009) – comments.  P.16/2009. Presented: 10th March 2009.  Com. Minister for Treasury and Resources.

30th June 2009

Williamson Report: Implementation Plan – funding.  P.17/2009. Lodged: 4th February 2009.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Williamson Report: Implementation Plan – funding (P.17/2009) – amendment.  P.17/2009. Lodged: 25th March 2009.  Amd. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier .

States Members' remuneration for 2009.  P.24/2009. Lodged: 19th February 2009.

Connétable of St. Peter .

States Members' remuneration for 2009 (P.24/2009): comments.  P.24/2009. Presented: 5th March 2009.  Com. Privileges and Procedures Committee.

States Members' remuneration for 2009 (P.24/2009): amendment.  P.24/2009. Lodged: 3rd March 2009.  Amd. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier .

Ann Court Site, St. Helier : use for sheltered social housing for the over-55s.  P.43/2009. Lodged: 27th March 2009.

Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier .

14th July 2009

Draft Sea Fisheries (Satellite Monitoring) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.  P.56/2009. Lodged: 14th April 2009.

Minister for Economic Development.

Draft Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment No. 5) (Jersey) Regulations  P.57/2009. 200-.

Lodged: 14th April 2009.

Minister for Economic Development.

Draft Sea Fisheries (Bag Limits) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.  P.58/2009. Lodged: 14th April 2009.

Minister for Economic Development.

THE STATES rose at 6.12 p.m.

M.N. DE LA HAYE Greffier of the States