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.
THE STATES assembled on Monday 11th December 2023, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,
Sir Timothy John Le Cocq .
__________________
All members were present at roll call with the exception of –
Connétable Deidre Wendy Mezbourian of St. Lawrence – excused attendance
Deputy Stephen George Luce of Grouville and St. Martin – excused attendance (arrived in the Chamber at 10.57 a.m.)
Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.54 a.m.)
__________________
Prayers
__________________
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.
Subordinate enactments tabled
The following enactments were tabled, namely –
Long-Term Care (General Provisions – Amendment) (Jersey) Order 2023. R&O.107/2023. Minister for Social Security.
Planning and Building (Conservation Areas) (Jersey) Order 2023. R&O.116/2023. Minister for the Environment.
Regulation of Care (2024 Fees) (Jersey) Order 2023. R&O.117/2023. Minister for the Environment.
Social Security (Christmas Bonus) (Jersey) Order 2023. R&O.118/2023. Minister for Social Security.
Documents presented
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): comments. P.72/2023. Presented: 6th December 2023, Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel. Com.(2). Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): comments(2) (P.72/2023 Com.(2)) P.72/2023.
– comments. Com.(2). Presented: 11th December 2023, Minister for Health and Social Services. Com.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): comments. P.72/2023. Presented: 6th December 2023, Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel. Com.(3).
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): comments. P.72/2023. Presented: 7th December 2023, Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel. Com.(5).
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): amendment (P.72/2023 Amd.) – P.72/2023. comments. Amd. Social Security grant funding Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): second (P.72/2023 Amd.(2)) – comments.
Removal of RegTech super-deduction
Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): third (P.72/2023 Amd.(3)) – comments.
Removal of upper earnings caps
Presented: 8th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): fourth (P.72/2023 Amd.(4)) – comments.
Capping RegTech super-deduction
Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
amendment P.72/2023. Amd.(2).
Com. amendment P.72/2023.
Com. amendment P.72/2023.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): seventh amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(7)) – comments. Amd.(7). Extension of marginal relief Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): eighth (P.72/2023 Amd.(8)) – comments.
Extend existing bus pass scheme to individuals 21 years of age and under Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): ninth (P.72/2023 Amd.(9)) – comments.
Subsidised Annual Bus Pass
Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): tenth (P.72/2023 Amd.(10)) – comments.
Payroll Expenditure
Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
amendment P.72/2023. Amd.(8).
Com. amendment P.72/2023.
Com. amendment P.72/2023.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): eleventh amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(11)) – comments. Amd.(11). Assisted Purchase Home Ownership Scheme Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): fourteenth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(14)) – comments. Amd.(14). Waste Charges Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): seventeenth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(17)) – comments. Amd.(17). Limit Rent-a-room tax exemption to households with a mortgage Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): eighteenth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(18)) – comments. Amd.(18). Free GP visits for all full time students Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): nineteenth (P.72/2023 Amd.(19)) P.72/2023.
– comments. Amd.(19). Investment of stamp duty uplift into first time buyer funds Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twentieth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(20)) – comments. Amd.(20). Additional Funding for Education Com. Presented: 8th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-third (P.72/2023 Amd.(23)) P.72/2023.
– comments. Amd.(23). New sports facilities at Le Rocquier School Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-seventh amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(27)) – comments. Amd.(27). Jersey Business revenue expenditure Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-eighth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(28)) – comments. Amd.(28). Economy Strategy implementation revenue expenditure. Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-ninth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(29)) – comments. Amd.(29). Funding of Acute Cardiac Nursing Com. Presented: 7th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirty-first amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(31)) – comments. Amd.(31). Vaccination Service Com. Presented: 8th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirty-third amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(33) – amendment) – comments. Amd.(33). Increase revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries. Amd. Presented: 8th December 2023, Council of Ministers. Com.
States of Jersey Law 2005: delegation of functions – Minister for Health and Social R.175/2023. Services – appointment of Assistant Minister and delegated functions.
Presented: 30th November 2023, Minister for Health and Social Services.
Code of Audit Practice 2023. R.176/2023. Presented: 4th December 2023, Comptroller and Auditor General.
Code of Audit Practice: Summary of Consultation Responses 2023. R.177/2023. Presented: 4th December 2023, Comptroller and Auditor General.
Complaints Panel Report 2022. R.178/2023. Presented: 9th December 2023, Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Review of Work Permit Holder welfare (S.R.2/2023): Response of the Minister for S.R.2/2023. Justice and Home Affairs. Res. Presented: 5th December 2023, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.
Government Plan 2024-2027 Review. S.R.4/2023. Presented: 5th December 2023, Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.
Notification of lodged propositions
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): sixth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(6)) – amendment. Amd.(6). Medical Hosiery and wound dressing funding. Amd. Lodged: 30th November 2023, Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour .
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): sixth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(6) – amendment (P.72/2023 Amd.(6).Amd) – amendment. Amd.(6). Lodged: 6th December 2023, Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour . Amd.Amd.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twelfth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(12)) – amendment. Amd.(12). Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers. Amd.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirteenth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(13)) – amendment. Amd.(13). Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers. Amd.
(re-issue)
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): fifteenth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(15)) – amendment. Amd.(15). Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers. Amd.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-second amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(22)) – amendment. Amd.(22). Abolition of interest tax relief for landlords. Amd. Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-third amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(23)) – amendment. Amd.(23). New Facilities at Le Rocquier School. Amd. Lodged: 1st December 2023, Deputy S.G. Luce of Grouville and St. Martin .
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-fifth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(25)) – amendment. Amd.(25). Alcohol Duty. Amd. Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-ninth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(29)) – amendment. Amd.(29). Funding of Acute Cardiac Nursing. Amd. Lodged: 30th November 2023, Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity .
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirtieth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(30)) – amendment. Amd.(30). Freeze on Public Health Staff Appointments Amd. Lodged: 5th December 2023, Council of Ministers.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirtieth amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(30)) – second amendment. Amd.(30). Freeze on Public Health Staff Appointments Amd.(2). Lodged: 7th December 2023, Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity .
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirty-first amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(31)) – amendment. Amd.(31). Vaccination Service. Amd. Lodged: 30th November 2023, Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity .
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): thirty-third amendment P.72/2023. (P.72/2023 Amd.(33)) – amendment. Amd.(33). Increase revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries. Amd. Lodged: 5th December 2023, Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South .
Draft Finance (2024 Budget) (Jersey) Law 202- (P.91/2023): fourth amendment. P.91/2023. (P.91/2023 Amd.(4)) – amendment. Amd.(4). Lodged: 5th December 2023, Minister for Treasury and Resources. Amd.
Draft Cold Weather Bonus and Payments (Amendment – Extension of Eligibility) P.99/2023. (Jersey) Regulations 202-.
Lodged: 1st December 2023, Minister for Social Security.
Draft Employment (Amendment No.15) (Jersey) Law 202-. P.100/2023. Lodged: 1st December 2023, Minister for Social Security.
Amendment to Standing Orders – Roll of Elected Members. P.101/2023. Lodged: 5th December 2023, Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Withdrawal of lodged propositions
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the proposers of the following propositions lodged "au Greffe" had informed the Greffier of the States that they had been withdrawn –
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 (P.72/2023): twenty-ninth amendment. P.72/2023. Funding of Acute Cardiac Nursing. Amd.(29). Lodged: 28th November 2023, Deputy A. Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity .
Written Questions
(see Official Report/Hansard)
There were no written questions to which a written reply had been tabled since the previous meeting. The Assembly noted that the replies to the written questions submitted on 4th December 2023 would be tabled prior to the first meeting in January 2024.
Oral Questions
(see Official Report/Hansard)
OQ.245/2023 1. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Social Security regarding
the Social Security payments by employers that were deferred during the Covid-19 pandemic. OQ.237/2023 2. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St Helier North asked a question of the Minister for Social Security
regarding the prospective introduction of a maximum length of time for employment probation
periods.
OQ.242/2023 3. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Sustainable Economic
Development regarding any lessons he had learnt from the recent closure of Nude Food. OQ.241/2023 4. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding
the progress made in developing options to convert the Minimum Wage in Jersey to a Living
Wage.
OQ.238/2023 5. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter asked a question of the Minister for
Justice and Home Affairs regarding the budget proposed in the draft Government Plan 2024- 2027 for the States of Jersey Police.
OQ.249/2023 6. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the
benefits arising from her attendance at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
OQ.239/2023 7. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central asked a question of the Minister for Justice and Home
Affairs regarding the implications for Jersey of changes to the UK's rules in respect of migrant workers.
OQ.248/2023 8. Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée of St. Helier South asked a question of the Minister for
Infrastructure regarding the prospect of a total ban on plastic bags.
OQ.247/2023 9. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter asked a question of the Minister for
Health and Social Services regarding the prospect of Jersey being included in the prostate cancer screening trial being undertaken in the UK.
OQ.243/2023 10. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for the Environment
regarding the former La Folie Inn.
OQ.246/2023 11. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Social Security regarding
the number of employers that benefitted from the deferral of Social Security payments by employers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
OQ.251/2023 12. Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée of St. Helier South asked a question of the Minister for
Infrastructure regarding the profits made from the charge imposed on the sale of reusable bags. OQ.244/2023 13. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central asked a question of the Minister for Social Security
regarding the consideration she had given to the consideration given to a Minimum Income
Standard when investigating options for the Island's Minimum Wage.
OQ.250/2023 14. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South asked a question of the Minister for Housing and Communities regarding the delivery of new Residential Tenancy legislation.
OQ.240/2023 15. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central asked a question of the Minister for Justice and Home
Affairs regarding her involvement in the identification of savings within the budget for the States of Jersey Police.
Oral Questions without notice (see Official Report/Hansard)
The Minister for Children and Education answered questions without notice from members.
The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development answered questions without notice from members. The Chief Minister answered questions without notice from members.
Urgent Oral Question
(see Official Report/Hansard)
Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St. Helier Central asked the following question of the Chief Minister which the Bailiff had allowed in accordance with Standing Order 15 relating to urgent oral questions –
"Further to the recent House of Commons debate led by Dame Margaret Hodge MP, has there been any renewed pressure on the Chief Minister to follow through with the commitment to publish a public register of beneficial ownership, and what is the current position of the Government in relation to such a register?"
Arrangement of public business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chief Minister, agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of her proposition entitled Appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People' (P.96/2023) in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 44 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement 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 L.M.C. Doublet 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 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 K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chief Minister, agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 31(2) that her proposition entitled Appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People' (P.96/2023) would be considered as the first item of public business at the meeting.
Appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People P.96/2023
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of the Chief Minister entitled Appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People' (P.96/2023). The Bailiff , in accordance with Paragraph 4(4) of the Schedule to the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2019 and the provisions of Standing Order 82, ordered all strangers to withdraw from the precincts of the States and the doors of the Chamber to be closed.
THE STATES, having concluded the debate in camera, proceeded to vote in public assembly and approved, in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the Schedule to the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2019, the recommendation of the Chief Minister and the President of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee to appoint, for a period of 6 years, Dr. Carmel Corrigan to the office of Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 42 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 2
Connétable of St. Helier Deputy M. Tadier Connétable of St. Brelade Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Connétable of Trinity
Connétable of St. Peter
Connétable of St. Martin
Connétable of St. John
Connétable of St. Clement
Connétable of Grouville
Connétable of St. Ouen
Connétable of St. Mary
Connétable of St. Saviour
Deputy G.P. Southern
Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet
Deputy K.F. Morel
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 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 T.J.A. Binet
Deputy M.R. Ferey
Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023) and, adopting an amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(26)) agreed that –
in paragraph (a), after the words "Article 9(2)(a) of the Law", there should be inserted the words –
", except that total estimate for 2024 Impôt Duties shall be decreased by £2,700,000 by freezing the Impôt Duties for Fuel, with the relevant figures in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 1 updated in line with the following table, and subsequent figures updated accordingly –
| 2024 Estimate (£000) | 2025 Estimate (£000) | 2026 Estimate (£000) | 2027 Estimate (£000) |
Impôt Duties Fuel | 24,689 | 25,857 | 25,797 | 25,850 |
"; and
in paragraph (h), after the words "of the Report", there should be inserted the words –
", except that, to accommodate a drop in States income caused by freezing the Impôt Duties for Fuel –
- the Head of Expenditure for the Central Reserve shall be reduced by £1,350,000;
- the Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office shall be reduced by £932,000; and,
- the Head of Expenditure for the Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture shall be reduced by £418,000".
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central (P.72/2023 Amd.(15)) and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(15)Amd.), agreed that –
in part 1, after the words "to enable", the remaining paragraph should be substituted with "a non- statutory scheme to be set up to provide financial support to eligible families that include a child with a life-limiting condition, a life-threatening condition, or a complex healthcare need with a decrease of £600,000 to the Central Reserve Head of Expenditure."; and
in part 2, after the words "allocated for 2024 to" the remaining paragraph should be substituted with "enable a non-statutory scheme to be set up to provide financial support to eligible families that include a child with a life-limiting condition, a life-threatening condition, or a complex healthcare need. During 2024 the Government will bring forward legislation in provide for a permanent scheme for future years.".
THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central , as amended, agreed that –
in paragraph (h), after the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report", there should be inserted the words –
", except that, in Summary Table 5(i) the Head of Expenditure for Customer and Local Services should be increased by £600,000 to enable a non-statutory scheme to be set up to provide financial support to eligible families that include a child with a life-limiting condition, a life- threatening condition, or a complex healthcare need with a decrease of £600,000 to the Central Reserve Head of Expenditure"; and
in paragraph (l), after the words "as set out at Appendix 3 of the Report", there should be inserted the words –
", except that, on page 90 after the words "benefits for many years to come." there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –
"Funds have been allocated for 2024 to enable a non-statutory scheme to be set up to provide financial support to eligible families that include a child with a life-limiting condition, a life- threatening condition, or a complex healthcare need. During 2024 the Government will bring forward legislation in provide for a permanent scheme for future years.".
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of the Connétable of St. Martin (P.72/2023 Amd.(13)) and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(13)Amd.), agreed that –
in proposed new paragraph (l) the words "alongside all future Government Plans" should be substituted with "in alignment with the Building a Safer Community Framework,", and the word "preventing" should be substituted with "addressing"; and
in proposed new paragraph (m) after the words "to agree that" the words "future Government Plan for this States Assembly must give reference to how they" should be substituted with " the annual report specified in paragraph (l) must identify how measures outlined in the relevant Government Plan".
THE STATES, adopting the amendment of the Connétable of St. Martin , agreed that, after paragraph (k), there should be inserted the following new paragraphs and the subsequent paragraph re-designated accordingly –
"(l) to commit to the annual publication of a report, in alignment with the Building a Safer
Community Framework, to provide updates on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Girls and the impact they have had on addressing violence against women and girls and improving gender equality in Jersey, and include the publication of a timeline of the Government of Jersey's work programme on these areas for the following year;
(m) to agree that the annual report specified in paragraph (l) must identify how measures outlined in the relevant Government Plan apply to improving gender equality in Jersey, with a focus on establishing an intersectional approach to all future strategies and other work by the Government of Jersey to address Violence Against Women and Girls, as outlined in Recommendation 2 of the report by the Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Girls; and".
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South (P.72/2023 Amd.(5)) and, adopting the amendment, agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that in the section "Improving access to housing" on page 9 there should be inserted a fifth bullet point with the words "We will develop a scheme to encourage and incentivise right-sizing, to be presented to the States Assembly before 31st May 2024, with the financial implications forming part of the Government Plan 2025-2027".
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting an amendment of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(24)), agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that on Page 10, after the words "especially our most vulnerable, can thrive." should be inserted a new bullet point –
"We will review feasibility options for expanding Early Years nursery provision and childcare support to benefit all children in Jersey from nine months to three years old, with a report detailing any action plan from the Government to be presented to the States Assembly before 1st September 2024, and any financial implications forming part of the Government Plan 2025-2028.".
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting an amendment of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(21)), agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
"except that, on Page 66, after the words "urgency and readiness of projects in year." should be inserted the following new paragraph –
"The funding of at least of £4.705 million (approved in the Government Plan 2020-2023 and Government Plan 2021-2024) for Le Rocquier School and Community Sports Facilities will be reviewed with the intent that the project is reprioritised, in order to improve access to sports facilities in the East of the Island.".
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, commencing consideration of an amendment of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour (P.72/2023 Amd.(6)), commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour (P.72/2023 Amd.(6)Amd.) and, adopting an amendment of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour (P.72/2023 Amd.(6)Amd.Amd.), agreed that, in part 2 of the amendment to the amendment to the proposition, after the words "except that", the remaining words should be substituted with the following words –
"under the sub-heading "Health Insurance Fund" on page 87 there should be inserted the words "Additional funding of up to £1 million per year will be allocated to support the provision of hosiery dressings and wound dressings to those with a clinical need. The new scheme will be set up as soon as practicable and will provide products at no cost to the end user." and Table 44 on page 87 updated accordingly, to reflect the increased expenditure forecast.".
THE STATES, adopting part 2 of the amendment of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour , as amended, to her amendment to the proposition of the Council of Ministers, agreed that, after part 2 of the amendment to the proposition, there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –
"3. PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (l) –
After the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" insert the words –
", except that under the sub-heading "Health Insurance Fund" on page 87 there should be inserted the words "Additional funding of up to £1 million per year will be allocated to support the provision of hosiery dressings and wound dressings to those with a clinical need. The new scheme will be set up as soon as practicable and will provide products at no cost to the end user." and Table 44 on page 87 updated accordingly, to reflect the increased expenditure forecast.".
Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour did not propose part 1 of the amendment to her amendment to the proposition of the Council of Ministers.
THE STATES, adopting part 3 of the amendment of Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour to the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report", there should be inserted the words –
", except that under the sub-heading "Health Insurance Fund" on page 87 there should be inserted the words "Additional funding of up to £1 million per year will be allocated to support the provision of hosiery dressings and wound dressings to those with a clinical need. The new scheme will be set up as soon as practicable and will provide products at no cost to the end user." and Table 44 on page 87 updated accordingly, to reflect the increased expenditure forecast.".
Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour did not propose parts 1 and 2 of her amendment to the proposition of the Council of Ministers.
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(32)), agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "set out in Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
"except that, on Page 93, after the words "that could deliver the additional funding required.", there should be inserted the following words –
"This will include investigation of the introduction of an appropriate carbon tax or charge relating to the operation of private aircraft.".
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting an amendment of Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South (P.72/2023 Amd.(16)) and, adopting the amendment, agreed that, in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that, on page 112, under the subheading New Rules for Pensions the words "£10,000" should be substituted with "£15,000""
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central (P.72/2023 Amd.(17)) and rejected the amendment that, in paragraph (a), after the words "Articles 9(2)(a) of the Law", there should be inserted the words –
", except that Personal Income Tax for 2024 should be increased by £160,000 to reflect the restriction of the "rent-a-room" income tax relief to only those households servicing a mortgage on their main residence"
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 10 CONTRE: 36 ABSTAIN: 0
Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
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
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat 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 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
THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Max Brennan Andrews of St. Helier North (P.72/2023 Amd.(2)) and rejected the amendment that –
in paragraph (a), after the words "Article 9(2)(a) of the Law", there should be inserted the words –
", except that in Summary Table 1, the 2024 estimate for Corporate Income Tax should be increased by £200,000".
in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report", there should be inserted the words –
", except that on pages 40 and 41 the paragraph entitled Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Super-Deduction' should be deleted".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 11 CONTRE: 35 ABSTAIN: 0
Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
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
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet
Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst
Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore 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
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, commencing consideration of an amendment of Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South (P.72/2023 Amd.(22)), adopted an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(22) Amd.) that the words "2026" should be substituted with "2027" and, after the words "letting properties" there should be inserted the words –
", subject to the outcome of the Fiscal Policy Panel's review of Jersey's housing market which will be published in 2024, a full consultation process and consideration of the timing and cumulative impact upon Jersey's housing market."
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 31 CONTRE: 13 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel 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 G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy S.G. Luce
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 M.R. Scott
Deputy C.D . Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy M.B. Andrews
Deputy H.M. Miles 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
THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South , as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (a), after the words "Article 9(2)(a) of the Law", there should be inserted the words –
", except that in Summary Table 1 there should be inserted a new line below "Corporate Income Tax" entitled "Interest Tax Relief (letting properties only)" with a figure of £1.9 million to be placed in the column for the 2027 Estimate, to include funds generated from the abolition of interest tax relief on mortgages for letting properties, subject to the outcome of the Fiscal Policy Panel's review of Jersey's housing market which will be published in 2024, a full consultation process and consideration of the timing and cumulative impact upon Jersey's housing market".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 33 CONTRE: 12 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet 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 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 J. Renouf
Deputy C.D . Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy M.E. Millar
Deputy T.J.A. Binet
Deputy M.R. Ferey
Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy A. Howell Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson
Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, the following members declared an interest in the subject of the amendment of Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South to the proposition of the Council of Ministers, in that they were landlords –
The Connétable of St. Helier
The Connétable of Grouville
The Connétable of St. Mary
Deputy Carolyn Fiona Labey of Grouville and St. Martin
Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade
Deputy Stephen George Luce of Grouville and St. Martin
Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour
Deputy Rosemary Esther Binet of Grouville and St. Martin Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Andrea Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Thomas John Albert Binet of St. Saviour
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, commencing consideration of an amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(25)), commenced consideration of an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(25) Amd.).
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, the following members declared an interest in the subject of the amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel to the proposition of the Council of Ministers, in that either they, or a relevant person, were involved in the hospitality industry or an industry that sold alcohol –
The Connétable of St. Clement
Deputy Lyndon John Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour
Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement
Adjournment
THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Tuesday 12th December 2023 to continue consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024- 2027' (P.72/2023) and the other outstanding items of public business.
THE STATES rose at 5.35 p.m.
W.J.C. MILLOW Deputy Greffier of the States