PPC Minutes 12th July 2011

A- 427 CH/SC/216

PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE (113th Meeting)

12th July 2011

PART A

All members were present.

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

Senator S.C. Ferguson

Connétable P.F.M. Hanning of St. Saviour Deputy J.B. Fox

Deputy J.A. Martin

Deputy T.M. Pitman

In attendance -

Deputy D.J.A. Wimberley (item No. A2 only)

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 meetings of 14th June 2011 (Part A only) and 23rd June

2011 (Part A only), having been previously circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.

Electoral A2. The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A2 of 14th June 2011, Commission: welcomed Deputy D.J.A. Wimberley in connexion with the consultation response possible options'. which  he  had  submitted  in  respect  of  the  Committee's  report: Electoral P.54/2011 Commission: possible options' (P.54/2011 refers).

1240/22/1(59)

The  Committee  recalled  that   Deputy  Wimberley's  original  proposition  had suggested that the Commission should comprise a chairman and 2 members from outside  Jersey,  with  3  members  from  Jersey.  However,  in  response  to  the Committee's  report: Electoral  Commission:  possible  options,' the   Deputy  had stated that his favoured solution would be for the Commission to consist entirely of local individuals, with expertise available on demand from an advisory board. Deputy Wimberley informed the Committee that this remained his preferred option and  he  considered  that  the  Appointments  Commission  should  be  consulted  in respect of the selection of both the local members and experts. Deputy Wimberley considered  that  the  advisory  board  should  be  required  to  meet  with  the  local members in order to inform their work. It was agreed that all members should be objective and committed, and Deputy Wimberley suggested a citizens' jury could be an alternative option for the selection of members. Having been thanked by the Chairman for his attendance, Deputy Wimberley accordingly withdrew from the meeting.

The Committee expressed concern that, should the Commission be established as per Deputy Wimberley's proposal with the experts remaining external to the main Commission, the benefit of their assistance would be lost during meetings and hearings, for example. It was therefore considered preferable for the experts to form part of the main panel. The Committee agreed that it would wish to propose that the Commission be composed of a local chairman, 2 members and 2 experts. It was further agreed that a report should be drafted to this effect, for consideration at a future meeting, with a view to its being subsequently presented to the States.

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

Hand-held A3. The Committee received the proposition: Hand-held devices in the States devices in the Chamber: trial (P.77/2011) – amendment, lodged au Greffe on 28th June 2011 by States Chamber: Deputy D.J. De Sousa.

trial.

P.77/2011 The  Committee  noted  that  the   Deputy 's  amendment  was  in  respect  of  its 465/1(169) proposition,  Hand-held  devices  in  the  States  Chamber:  trial  (P.77/2011).  The

Committee's proposition had been lodged au Greffe on 17th May 2011 and asked the States to agree that members should be permitted to use hand-held electronic devices (but not laptop computers) in the States Chamber for a trial period until 31st March 2012. Deputy De Sousa proposed that the use of laptop computers should also be permitted during the trial. The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A6 of the present meeting, noted that there was a significant amount of States business outstanding which required consideration in advance of the summer recess. Having discussed the matter, the Committee agreed that its proposition P.77/2011  did  not  require  immediate  consideration,  and  should  therefore  be withdrawn, with a view to its being re-lodged at a later date.

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

Education A4. The Committee received protocols prepared by the Minister for Education, election Sport and Culture, in respect of the procedure to be followed by schools, colleges protocols. and the Youth Service when dealing with election candidates in advance of the 424/2(75) October 2011 elections.

The Minister had asked the Committee to consider the protocols and whether it would be willing to advise candidates in respect of the guidelines. It was noted that, under the guidance notes to secondary head teachers and the principal of Highlands College,  paragraph  3.3  prevented  schools  from  inviting  or  allowing  election candidates to campaign on the premises and paragraph 3.4 stated that candidates should not be permitted to address young voters. This prevented any hustings from being held at secondary schools or Highlands College. With regard to the guidance notes  for  senior  youth  workers  and  others  working  for  the  Youth  Service, candidates were  not permitted  to campaign  in youth clubs in accordance with paragraph 3.3 and it was therefore not possible for a hustings meeting to take place at  a youth  club. Paragraph  3.4  prevented  Youth  Service staff  from  instigating meetings with election candidates and the Committee expressed concern that youth workers might therefore be discouraged from helping to arrange hustings meetings for young people due to the risk of being considered in breach of the guidelines. It was agreed that the Committee would wish to discuss the guidelines with the Minister prior to agreeing to notify future election candidates of their content.

The Chairman was requested to invite the Minister to attend a future meeting of the Committee. The Committee Clerk was requested to take the necessary action.

States' business. A5. The Committee noted the content of the Order Paper in respect of the States

sitting of the present date.

Having noted the significant amount of business outstanding and the limited time available, it was agreed that the Chairman should request certain amendments to the  Order  Paper,  including  the  prioritisation  of  legislation.  The  Chairman  was requested to take the necessary action.

Media Working A6. The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A10 of 24th May 2011, Party: web- received an update from the President of the Chairmen's Committee in respect of streaming States the possibility of uploading recordings of meetings to the States Assembly website. meetings.

1240/10(36) The Committee noted that scrutiny would continue to monitor the situation and did

not intend to give it further consideration at the present time. The position was noted.

Work A7. The Committee noted its ongoing work programme. programme.