This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
Privileges and Procedures Committee (8th Meeting)
12th December 2022
Part A
All members were present with the exception of Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat of St. Helier from whom apologies had been received.
Connétable K. Shenton-Stone of St. Martin
Deputy L.J Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy C.A. Alves of St. Helier
Deputy L.K.F Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy L.V. Feltham of St Helier Central
Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour (Items A6 – A8 only)
In attendance -
L. Hart , Greffier of the States
W. Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States
Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier (Chamber and Members' Support)
K. Boydens , Principal Committee and Panel Officer
K. Camara, Research and Project Officer
Note: The Minutes of this meeting comprise Part A only.
Minutes. A1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st November 2022 (Part A only) having
previously been circulated, were taken as read and approved.
Forthcoming A2. The Committee considered forthcoming business for debate by the Assembly at its business for meeting on 17th January 2023. The Committee recalled that Deputy I.J. Gorst of St. debate by the Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter had lodged a Proposition entitled Reinstatement of States Senators' (P.79/2022) on 27th June 2022, which had been deferred in order to allow the Assembly. Committee more time to consider its response more fully.
In considering its response to the proposition, the Committee agreed that it would take into account the findings of the Election Observers Mission undertaken by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the findings of the Jersey Lifestyle and Opinions Survey. The Committee was advised by the Greffier that the report by the Jersey Electoral Authority and the initial results of the voter journey focus groups, currently being undertaken by Professor C. Pich, Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent Business School in collaboration with the Digital and Public Engagement Team, would also assist the Committee in drafting its response to P.79/2022. The Greffier confirmed that draft Comments would be circulated to the Committee for its consideration before the debate on 17th January 2023.
The Committee noted that the Assembly was due to debate the Government Plan 2023 – 2026 at its meeting on 12th December 2022, the scale of which might require the Assembly to extend the meetings until 6pm each day. The Chair, having raised this matter under Arrangement of Public Business' at the meeting on 22nd November 2022 confirmed that she would raise this again with the Assembly.
8th Meeting 12.12.2022
Members' A3. The Committee received and considered a Members' Behaviour Code which was Behaviour presented by the Deputy Greffier. The Deputy Greffier explained that the purpose of Code. the document was to set out the basis for a mutually respectful working environment
for both States Members and all members of staff at the States Greffe. The Deputy Greffier also explained that the code sought to work in conjunction with existing codes of conduct and States of Jersey policies to ensure that everyone who worked with and for the States Assembly were treated with dignity, courtesy and respect at all times.
The Committee agreed that the code was an important document and would provide certainty and clarity if a complaint were to arise. The Committee endorsed the code and agreed that it should be circulated to all States Members. The Deputy Greffier advised that he would liaise separately with the Chair in order to send a communication to all Members.
Pan-Island A4. The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A6 of its meeting of 12th September Commissioner 2022, received an update from the Principal Committee and Panel Officer regarding the for Standards. joint recruitment exercise with Guernsey to appoint a pan-Island Commissioner for
Standards.
The Principal Committee and Panel Officer advised the Committee that the role had been advertised in both Islands as well as in the United Kingdom. There had been great interest in the role and a number of applications had been received to date. The closing date for applications was Friday 16th December, after which the Chair, Greffier, Guernsey Greffier, , Chair of the Guernsey States Assembly Constitution Committee and the Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission would undertake a short-listing exercise with a view to interviewing candidates in January 2023.
The Committee noted the update accordingly.
States A5. The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A3 of its meeting of 26th July 2022, Members' received an update from the Principal Committee and Panel Officer regarding the Remuneration. appointment of a reviewer of States Members' remuneration.
The Committee recalled that a panel had been established in order to appoint a person to undertake a review of the amount of remuneration and allowances payable to States Members. The panel had advertised the role in the local media and on social media. The Principal Committee and Panel Officer advised that a total of four applications had been received and that the panel was due to shortlist candidates before Christmas. It was anticipated that interviews would be held in January 2023.
The Committee noted the update accordingly and requested further information on the applicants. The Principal Committee and Panel Officer confirmed that further information would be provided on Microsoft Teams.
Childcare A6. The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A6 of its meeting of 21st responsibilities November 2022, recalled that it had updated the guidance on Briefings for States
Members' which had been circulated to all States Members. In response to the circulation, Deputy R.L. Kovacs of St. Saviour had highlighted several concerns regarding childcare responsibilities and the arrangement of early and late meetings. Deputy Kovacs had asked whether ad hoc childcare could be arranged or whether a space could be made available to accommodate children in the States Building.
The Committee acknowledged the issues raised by Deputy Kovacs and agreed that the matter should be explored by the Committee.
8th Meeting 12.12.2022
Deputy L.K.F Stephenson explained that there had been an incident during a special sitting of the States Assembly where some members had left their children waiting in the States Member's Common Room, but due to competing demands, had been asked to vacate the room for use by the Royal Court and Bailiff 's Chambers. The Greffier expressed disquiet that this had occurred as she was of the opinion that Members should have full use of any of the rooms in the States Assembly part of the building and suggested that this matter be discussed with the Chief Officer of the Bailiff 's Chambers. The Committee agreed and requested that a meeting be arranged between the Greffier, Chief Officer and the Chair.
The Committee agreed to consider the matter again once that meeting had taken place.
Meeting A7. The Committee received and considered a meeting schedule for 2023. The schedule 2023. Committee noted that its meetings would be held monthly on a Monday morning. It
was noted that until now, Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour had been unable to attend the full duration of Committee meetings due to a clash with his weekly Ministerial briefings. Following discussions, Deputy Ferey confirmed that he would request that the said Ministerial meetings be rearranged to a different time so that he could attend Committee meetings in the New Year.
Work A8. The Committee received and considered its Work Programme 2022 – 2023. The Programme Principal Committee and Panel Officer advised that a Work Programme for 2023 would 2022 – 2023. be included on the next agenda.