States Minutes 23rd November 2022

THE STATES assembled on Wednesday 23rd November 2022, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Sir Timothy John Le Cocq .

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

Connétable Michael Keith Jackson of St. Brelade – excused attendance (arrived in the Chamber at 9.50 a.m.) Connétable Marcus O'Donnel Troy of St. Clement – ill

Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour – ill

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Prayers

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Standing Order 55A – remote participation

THE STATES, with reference to their Act dated 14th September 2021, in which they had agreed that, notwithstanding Standing Order 55A(1), members who did not wish to attend in the States Chamber might continue to take part in States meetings using Microsoft Teams (until the States had considered and voted upon a proposition to re-apply Standing Order 55A(1) or to repeal or vary the terms of the Standing Order), assembled in accordance with Standing Order 55A with members able to participate remotely using Microsoft Teams.

Tribute to the late Mr. Carlyle John Le Hérissier Hinault, former member of the States

The Bailiff paid tribute to the late Mr. Carlyle John Le Hérissier Hinault, former Connétable and Deputy of St. John . The States observed one minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Notification of lodged propositions

Proposed Government Plan 2023-2026 (P.97/2022): fifth amendment.  P.97/2022. Country Parks  Amd.(5). Lodged: 23rd November 2022, Connétable of St. Helier .

Proposed Government Plan 2023-2026 (P.97/2022): sixth amendment.  P.97/2022. Walking and Cycling routes  Amd.(6). Lodged: 23rd November 2022, Connétable of St. Helier .

Proposed Government Plan 2023-2026 (P.97/2022): seventh amendment.  P.97/2022. St. Helier Conseil Municipal  Amd.(7). Lodged: 23rd November 2022, Connétable of St. Helier .

Draft  Criminal  Justice  (Deferred  Prosecution  Agreements)  (Jersey)  Law  202-  P.103/2022. (P.103/2022): amendment.  Amd. Lodged: 23rd November 2022, Minister for Home Affairs.

Common Strategic Policy P.98/2022

THE STATES, resuming consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Common Strategic Policy' (P.98/2022), as amended, resumed consideration of an amendment of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier Central (P.98/2022 Amd.(5)), and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.98/2022 Amd.(5)Amd.), agreed that, for the words to be inserted on page 15 of the report, there should be substituted the following words –

"We will also support the Island's financial sector to become a leading sustainable finance centre and in doing so, become a leader of green finance."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 34 CONTRE: 13 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Connétable of Grouville Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy C.D . Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier Central, as amended, agreed that, after the words "report of this Proposition", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, on page 15 of the report, following the fifth paragraph, after the words "utility services." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"We will also support the Island's financial sector to become a leading sustainable finance centre and in doing so, become a leader of green finance."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 47 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D . Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and adopting the proposition, approved, in accordance with Article 18(2)(e) of the States of Jersey Law 2005, the statement of the Common Strategic Policy of the Council of Ministers as set out in the report of this Proposition, except that –

1. on page 5 of the report, in the "Environment" section –

1. before the  word "environment" there  should be inserted the  words "urban, rural and marine"; and
2. after the word "purposefully" there should be inserted the words "and fairly.";

2. on page 6 of the report, in the "A commitment to partnership" section after the word "with the" there should be inserted the words "parishes,";
3. on page 7 of the report, in the "Quality of Life section, after the word "housing" there should be inserted the words "open space";
4. on page 11 of the report –

1. in the third paragraph, the words "Housing matters" should be substituted with the words "Jersey has a housing crisis"; and
2. after the final paragraph there should be inserted the following sentence –

"We will do this through coordinated and sustained action that tackles the cost of living and housing crisis, in line with clear commitments made in the Council of Minister's Ministerial Plans and responding effectively to the changing economic environment.";

5. on page 13, Annex 1, in the "Children and Families" section, after the third paragraph there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"We will provide safe walking and cycling facilities to allow children to walk and cycle to school, thereby  increasing their health, fitness and independent mobility and reducing the impact of the school run' on the environment.";

6. on page 13, paragraph 6, before the words "We will invest also" there should be inserted the words –

"We will work towards providing free or lower cost primary healthcare for all children in Jersey, and to reducing other barriers to children accessing primary care, as part of the ongoing review of the Island's overall health and care system and its sustainable funding.";

7. on page 14, Annex 1 –

1. in the "Ageing Population" section after the fourth paragraph, there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"We will provide safe walking and other transport options for the elderly and encourage the improvement and expansion of parks and gardens, especially in urban areas."; and

2. in the "Health and Wellbeing" section after the fifth paragraph, there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"We will encourage the improvement and expansion of parks and children's play facilities, especially in urban areas. We will increase our investment in the public realm.";

8. on page 15, Annex 1, in the "Environment" section –
   1. after the third paragraph, there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"By working together with the Parishes, we will provide safe, and where achievable segregated, routes for walkers and cyclists by reallocating road space around the Island and within the Town area to encourage active travel."; and

2. in the penultimate paragraph after the word "infrastructure" there should be inserted the words "including tree planting and the provision of green spaces,";

9. on page 15 of the report, following the fifth paragraph, after the words "utility services." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"We will also support the Island's financial sector to become a leading sustainable finance centre and in doing so, become a leader of green finance.";

10. on page 15 of the report in the "Community" section, after the second paragraph there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"We will continue to work towards ensuring that the services and facilities provided by the Government are accessible and that the government departments have access and inclusion plans in place so that all people are treated equitably.";

11. noting the aspects important to Islanders as indicated by the Future Jersey consultation, on page 17 of the report, the words The table over the page presents some of the key indicators we will use" should be substituted with the following –

"The Council of Ministers will continue to strive to achieve the long-term vision of Future Jersey and work towards delivering the ten desired community outcomes arising from it:

Future Jersey Vision: "An Island loved for its beautiful coast and countryside, rich heritage, diverse wildlife and clean air, land and water. An Island where a sense of community really matters - a safe place to grow up and enjoy life. An Island that offers everyone the opportunity to contribute to, and share in, the success of a strong, sustainable economy.

We will show our progress using the storyboards and related indicators set out within the Jersey Performance Framework. We will improve the relevance and presentation of the indicators within the Framework to improve their use.

The following table presents further key indicators that highlight the focus of the Common Strategic Policy."; and

12. on page 18 of the report –

1. in the Continue to improve' section of the table for Housing and Cost of Living, there should be inserted the words "increase the number and standard of private rental homes with Rent Safe accreditation"; and
2. in the Turn the curve' section of the table for Housing and Cost of Living, after the words "housing that is affordable" there should be inserted the following words –

"-  Decrease the proportion of renters classed as living in rental stress';

- increase the number of long-term vacant homes brought back into use;

- increase the number of first-time buyer homes; and

- increase the number of people housed through the Affordable Housing Gateway.".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 35  CONTRE: 10  ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Deputy G.P. Southern Connétable of St. Lawrence   Deputy M. Tadier

STATES MINUTES

Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

23rd November 2022

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy C.D . Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Changes in Presidency

The Bailiff retired from the Chamber during consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Common Strategic Policy' (P.98/2022) and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mr. William John Charles Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States. The Bailiff returned to the Chamber during consideration of the same proposition and the meeting continued under his Presidency.

Draft Children and Young People (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202- P.96/2022

THE STATES commenced consideration of the Draft Children and Young People (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202- and adopted the principles.

THE STATES, having been informed that the relevant scrutiny panel had indicated that it did not wish to scrutinise the draft legislation, adopted Articles 1 to 5.

THE STATES, subject to the sanction of His Most Excellent Majesty in Council, adopted a Law entitled the Children and Young People (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202-.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 44 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D . Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Draft Employment (Minimum Wage) (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Regulations 202- P.99/2022

THE STATES commenced consideration of the Draft Employment (Minimum Wage) (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Regulations 202- and adopted the principles.

THE STATES, having been informed that the relevant scrutiny panel had indicated that it did not wish to scrutinise the draft legislation, adopted Regulations 1 and 2.

THE STATES made Regulations entitled the Employment (Minimum Wage) (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Regulations 2022 under Articles 17 and 104 of the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 43 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Cost of living crisis – Removal of 5% goods and services tax (GST) from food (excluding alcoholic drinks) P.100/2022

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour entitled Cost of living crisis  – Removal of 5% goods and services tax (GST) from food (excluding alcoholic drinks)' (P.100/2022).

Adjournment

THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Thursday 24th November 2022 to continue consideration of the proposition of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour entitled Cost of living crisis – Removal of 5% goods and services tax (GST) from food (excluding alcoholic drinks)' (P.100/2022) and the other outstanding items of public business listed for the meeting.

THE STATES rose at 5.24 p.m.

W.J.C. MILLOW Deputy Greffier of the States