PPC Constituency Offices (PPC Sub-Committee) - 22 June 2023

Privileges and Procedures Committee Constituency Office Sub-Committee

(4th Meeting )

22nd June 2023

Part A (Non-Exempt)

All members were present with the exception of Connétable K. Shenton-Stone of St Martin, Vice-Chair, Deputy I Gardiner of St Helier North, Deputy K.F. Morel of St John, St Lawrence and Trinity , Deputy Lucy Stephenson of St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter and Deputy M. Tadier of St Brelade from whom apologies had been received.

Deputy C.S. Alves of St Helier Central, Chair Deputy R.J. Ward of St Helier Central Deputy M.R. Scott of St Brelade

Deputy B. Ward of St Clement

Deputy T.A. Coles of St Helier South Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St Saviour

In attendance –

Mr. W. Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States

Mr. Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier of the States

Miss. K. Boydens , Principal Committee and Panel Officer Mrs. J. Hales , Research and Project Officer

Note:  The Minutes of this meeting comprise Part A

Minutes.  A1. The Sub-Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 25th May 2023. Membership  The Sub-Committee noted and approved the resignation of Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf of St

Saviour and approved the appointment of Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St Saviour.

Establishment  A2. The Sub-Committee received a paper on the development of constituency offices of  which summarised the work undertaken by the Sub-Committee, including a number of Constituency  key findings and recommendations. The Deputy Greffier advised that, once approved, Offices.  the paper would be sent to PPC alongside a growth bid for the 2024 Government Plan

in order to move the project forward.

Deputy M.R. Scott queried whether dedicated constituency offices were required given the response from some Members that they would not use dedicated offices for their constituency work. The Sub-Committee discussed the matter and agreed that the paper should be revised to focus more on constituency support, rather than constituency offices. It was agreed that, once the project had received the necessary funding, it would be led by the States Greffe Members' Resources Team who could further explore what dedicated office space, if any, would be required.

In terms of resourcing, the Deputy Greffier explained that the growth bid would include funding for dedicated members of staff who would be part of the Members' Resources Team. The Deputy Greffier considered that the proposed dedicated resources would be

6 4th Meeting 22.06.2023

a good starting point as, once these positions were approved and in place, the resources would then be available for further research on growing and expanding the support for constituency offices, as required.

The Sub-Committee recalled that it had agreed to focus on 3 constituencies in the first instance which would provide the opportunity to "test" how constituency support could work in practice.

The Deputy Greffier explained that the paper would be revised to reflect the Sub- Committee's discussion. It was agreed that the revised paper would be circulated on Teams for final approval before being submitted to PPC.

Legalities of  A3. The Sub-Committee received a paper regarding legal protections for politicians in Advising  relation to their constituency work. The Sub-Committee noted that the paper had Constituents  focused on the position in the UK so that best practice could be applied to Jersey. The

Principal Committee and Panel Officer advised that, although UK politicians had Employers Liability Insurance, there was no direct legal protection in relation to constituency work.

The Sub-Committee discussed the matter and agreed that States Members' insurance should be explored by PPC. The Principal Committee and Panel Officer advised that she would speak to the PPC Chair with a view to contacting the States Employment Board to confirm the insurance policy and whether it could be extended to States Members.

Future

meetings  A4. The Sub-Committee agreed that its work had concluded.