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THE STATES assembled on Thursday 10th December 2020, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,
Timothy John Le Cocq , Esquire.
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His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,
Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, G.C.B., LL.D. (Hon.), D.Sc. (Hon.), B.Sc., F.R.Ae.S., C.C.M.I. was present.
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All members were present at roll call with the exception of –
Senator Sarah Craig Ferguson – excused attendance (joined at 5.12 p.m.)
Senator John Alexander Nicholas Le Fondré – excused attendance (joined at 9.37 a.m.)
Senator Tracey Anne Vallois – ill
Deputy Gregory Charles Umberto Guida of St. Lawrence – excused attendance (joined at 9.43 a.m.)
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Prayers
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Standing Order 55A – meeting held remotely
THE STATES assembled remotely, in accordance with Standing Order 55A, as the Bailiff considered that it was not possible to convene or maintain a quorate meeting in view of a substantial risk to the health of both States Members and the public.
Notification of lodged propositions
School Closures. P.163/2020. Lodged: 8th December 2020.
Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier .
School Closures (P.163/2020): amendment. P.163/2020. Lodged: 10th December 2020. Amd. Deputy K.G. Pamplin of St. Saviour .
School Closures (P.163/2020): second amendment. P.163/2020. Lodged: 10th December 2020. Amd.(2). Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour .
Arrangement of public business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting the request of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier , agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of his proposition entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 29 CONTRE: 12 ABSTAIN: 1
Senator K.L. Moore
Senator S.W. Pallett
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Martin Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy S.M. Ahier (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Senator I.J. Gorst Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy of Grouville Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Ouen Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy of St. Peter
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré
THE STATES, adopting the request of Deputy Kevin Glyn Pamplin of St. Saviour , agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of his amendment (P.163/2020 Amd.) to the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.
THE STATES, adopting the request of Deputy Louise Mary Catherine of St. Saviour , agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of his amendment (P.163/2020 Amd.(2)) to the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.
Oral Questions without notice (see Official Report/Hansard)
A period of questions without notice was held, during which questions were permitted to any Minister on Covid-related matters.
Arrangement of public business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of Deputy Judith Ann Martin of St. Helier , agreed that it would complete consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) that day.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 39 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Senator K.L. Moore
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Grouville Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Martin Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy S.M. Ahier (H) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
School Closures P.163/2020
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) and rejected the first part of an amendment of Deputy Kevin Glyn Pamplin of St. Saviour (P.163/2020 Amd.) that after the words "state-run schools", the words "from Monday 14th December" should be deleted and that after the words "state-run schools", there should be inserted the following words –
"to all pupils in years 8 and above, with all Colleges to close on 11th December at the end of the school day and all secondary schools from year 8 upwards to close from 14th December at the end of the school day".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 12 CONTRE: 32 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy of Trinity
Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Senator S.W. Pallett
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Martin Deputy J.A. Martin (H)
Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)
Deputy M. Tadier (B)
Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)
Deputy S.J. Pinel (C)
Deputy of St. Martin
Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H)
Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy J.H. Young (B)
Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H)
Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy C.S. Alves (H)
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier , rejected the second part of the amendment of Deputy Kevin Glyn Pamplin of St. Saviour that, after the words "key-workers," there should be inserted the words "and those children whose parents have no access to alternative childcare,".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 22 CONTRE: 22 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of Grouville Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy of St. Mary Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy of St. John
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Senator S.W. Pallett Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy of Grouville Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H)
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H)
THE STATES noted that, as there was an equality of votes, the matter had been determined in the negative in accordance with Article 16(2) of the States of Jersey Law 2005.
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier and, adopting the third part of the amendment of Deputy Kevin Glyn Pamplin of St. Saviour , agreed that the existing paragraph should be designated as paragraph (a) and that the following additional paragraphs should be inserted –
"(b) that any such provision under paragraph (a) takes into account the enhanced monitoring systems
that are in place for vulnerable children;
- to request the Minister for Education to ensure that all schools allow parents to keep their children at home based on their concerns for the risk of virus transmission and not classify such children as being absent without authorisation (as long as the child has access and support provided to continue their studies); and
- to request the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children and Housing to ensure that the necessary resources are made available to children and young people to ensure their access to mental health assistance is not reduced.".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 24 CONTRE: 21 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Grouville Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Martin Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré
Senator S.W. Pallett
Connétable of St. Clement
Connétable of St. John
Connétable of St. Mary
Deputy J.A. Martin (H)
Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)
Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)
Deputy S.J. Pinel (C)
Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H)
Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy G.J. Truscott (B)
Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C)
Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L)
Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H)
THE STATES resumed consideration of a proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020) and rejected part 1 of an amendment of Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour (P.163/2020 Amd.(2)) that, after the words "appropriate and practical", there should be inserted the words ", and Early Years pupils, as the Minister considers appropriate and practical".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 16 CONTRE: 29 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Grouville Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy of St. Martin Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Senator S.W. Pallett
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Martin Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H)
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier , as amended, rejected the second part of the amendment of Deputy Louise Mary Catherine of St. Saviour that, after the words "appropriate and practical" there should be inserted the words ", and students in exam years, as the Minister considers appropriate and practical".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 18 CONTRE: 27 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Grouville Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Ouen
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Senator S.W. Pallett Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary
Connétable of St. Martin Deputy of St. Martin Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H)
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier , as amended, rejected the third part of the amendment of Deputy Louise Mary Catherine of St. Saviour that the existing paragraph should be designated as paragraph (a) and the following paragraph should be inserted –
"(b) to request the Minister for Social Security to extend eligibility for the Isolation Benefit to parents
or carers whose children are affected by school closures and who are unable to make alternative care arrangements.".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 22 CONTRE: 22 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore
Senator S.W. Pallett
Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Martin Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. John
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. John Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Mary Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy S.M. Ahier (H)
THE STATES noted that, as there was an equality of votes, the matter had been determined in the negative in accordance with Article 16(2) of the States of Jersey Law 2005.
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier , as amended, and rejected the proposition –
- to request the Minister for Education to take the steps necessary to close Jersey's state-run schools from Monday 14th December 2020 for the remainder of the current school term, with provision provided for vulnerable children and the children of key-workers as the Minister considered appropriate and practical.
- that any such provision under paragraph (a) took into account the enhanced monitoring systems that were in place for vulnerable children;
- to request the Minister for Education to ensure that all schools allowed parents to keep their children at home based on their concerns for the risk of virus transmission and not classify such children as being absent without authorisation (as long as the child had access and support provided to continue their studies); and
- to request the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children and Housing to ensure that the necessary resources were made available to children and young people to ensure their access to mental health assistance is not reduced.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 15 CONTRE: 32 ABSTAIN: 0
Senator K.L. Moore Senator S.W. Pallett Senator S.Y. Mézec Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy M. Tadier (B) Deputy M.R. Higgins (H) Deputy J.H. Young (B) Deputy of St. John Deputy J.H. Perchard (S) Deputy R.J. Ward (H) Deputy C.S. Alves (H) Deputy K.G. Pamplin (S)
Senator I.J. Gorst
Senator L.J. Farnham Senator S.C. Ferguson Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy J.A. Martin (H) Deputy of Grouville
Deputy K.C. Lewis (S) Deputy J.M. Maçon (S) Deputy S.J. Pinel (C) Deputy of St. Martin Deputy of St. Ouen
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet (S) Deputy R. Labey (H) Deputy S.M. Wickenden (H) Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy G.J. Truscott (B) Deputy L.B.E. Ash (C) Deputy K.F. Morel (L) Deputy G.C.U. Guida (L) Deputy of St. Peter
Deputy of Trinity
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat (H) Deputy S.M. Ahier (H) Deputy I. Gardiner (H)
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106(1)(c), Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier declared an interest which was not financial and remained in the Chamber for the duration of the debate on the proposition of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier Helier entitled School Closures' (P.163/2020).
THE STATES rose at 7.07 p.m.
L.-M. HART Deputy Greffier of the States