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THE STATES assembled on Wednesday 13th December 2023, 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 Deidre Wendy Mezbourian of St. Lawrence – excused attendance
Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone of St. Martin – ill
Connétable Andrew Nicholas Jehan of St. John – excused attendance
Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.41 a.m.)
Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.50 a.m.)
Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South – en défaut (défaut raised at 10.54 a.m.) Deputy Margaret Elaine Millar of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.41 a.m.)
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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.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES, resuming consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, resumed consideration of an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(33)) and, adopting part 1 of the amendment, agreed that, after paragraph (f), there should be inserted the following new paragraph and the subsequent paragraphs re- designated accordingly –
"(g) to approve a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Agricultural Loans Fund in 2024 of up
to £10 million, subject to a decision of the Minister for Treasury and Resources based on availability of funds in the Consolidated Fund as at 31st December 2023 in excess of estimates provided in this plan, or from budgeted underspends identified before 31st December 2024;".
Suspension of Meeting
The Bailiff , during consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, suspended the meeting for a period of 5 minutes, in accordance with Standing Order 46, in order that a problem with the electronic voting system could be rectified.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES, resuming consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, resumed consideration of an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.72/2023 Amd.(33)) and, adopting part 2 of the amendment, agreed that, in paragraph (h), after the words "of the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that, in Summary Table 5(i), the Head of Expenditure for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture should be increased by £2,000,000, with decreases to the following Heads of Expenditure –
- Cabinet Office
- Customer and Local Services
- Children, Young People, Education and Skills
- Infrastructure
- Environment
- Health and Community Services
- Justice and Home Affairs
(viii)States of Jersey Police
- Financial Services
- Ministry of External Relations
- Treasury and Exchequer
£1,000,000; £22,000; £286,000; £74,000; £18,000; £415,000; £60,000; £47,000; £13,000; £5,000; and £60,000;".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 35 CONTRE: 1 ABSTAIN: 9 Connétable of St. Helier Deputy M.B. Andrews Deputy G.P. Southern
Connétable of St. Brelade Deputy M. Tadier Connétable of Trinity Deputy R.J. Ward Connétable of St. Peter Deputy C.S. Alves Connétable of St. Clement Deputy S.Y. Mézec Connétable of Grouville Deputy T.A. Coles Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy C.D . Curtis Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.V. Feltham Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy R.S. Kovacs 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 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 rejected an amendment of Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South (P.72/2023 Amd.(19)) that –
n 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), in order to ensure the revenue gained from the 3% Stamp Duty uplift on Buy to Let' investment properties, second homes, and holiday homes may be used to increase the First Step shared equity scheme –
- the Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office should be decreased by £2,330,000; and
- the Reserve Expenditure line should be increased by £2,330,000"; and
in paragraph (l), after the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that on page 9 in the section "Improving Access to Housing" after the words "housing market" there should be inserted the words "The revenue gained from the 3% Stamp Duty uplift on Buy to Let' investment properties, second homes, and holiday homes will be allocated to increase the First Step shared equity scheme."
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 12 CONTRE: 35 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Saviour 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. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary 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 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
Arrangement of public business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Vice-Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, agreed that the Assembly would meet until 6.00 p.m. that day and on Thursday 14th December 2023 and that the lunchtime adjournment would be reduced to 1 hour in length on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th December 2023.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES resumed consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, and rejected an amendment of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central (P.72/2023 Amd.(20)) 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), in order that additional funds may be allocated to the existing growth bid entitled Investment across CYPES frontline services' –
- the Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office should be decreased by £2,000,000, through a reduction in the allocation to the Modernisation and Digital department; and
- the Head of Expenditure for Children, Young People, Education and Skills should be increased by £2,000,000".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 13 CONTRE: 32 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy L.J. Farnham
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. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Deputy C.F. Labey
Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy I.J. Gorst
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
Changes in Presidency
The Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during consideration of the amendment of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central (P.72/2023 Amd.(20)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023) and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mr. William John Charles Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States, until the Bailiff 's return.
Arrangement of public business for the present meeting
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), Deputy Andrea Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity had informed the Greffier of the States that her amendment (P.72/2023 Amd.(31)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023) had been withdrawn.
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the Minister for Social Security had informed the Greffier of the States that the Draft Health Insurance (Amendment of Law – Contracts for Administration of Vaccines) (Jersey) Regulations 202- and the Draft Social Security (Amendment of Law – Payments into Social Security Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202- had been withdrawn.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES resumed consideration of a proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, and rejected an amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(28)) that –
in paragraph (h), after the words "set out in 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 Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture should be reduced by £650,000 and the Central Reserve should be increased by £650,000"; and
in paragraph (l), after the words "as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that the revenue expenditure growth item "I-DFE-GP24-001 Implementation of Digital, Visitor Economy and Elite Sport Strategies", identified in Appendix 3: Supplementary Financial Table, should be reduced by £650,000 for each year with these funds being held in the Central Reserve until a business case for this growth is agreed by the States Assembly".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 4 CONTRE: 42 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy R.E. Binet
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville 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 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 J. Renouf
Deputy C.D . Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham 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
Changes in Presidency
The Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during consideration of the amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(28)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023) and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mrs. Lisa-Marie Hart , Greffier of the States, until the Bailiff 's return.
Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027 P.72/2023
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Government Plan 2024-2027' (P.72/2023), as amended, and rejected an amendment of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.72/2023 Amd.(27)) that –
in paragraph (h), after the words "set out in 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 Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture should be reduced by £150,000 and the Central Reserve should be increased by £150,000"; and
in paragraph (l), after the words "as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report" there should be inserted the words –
", except that the revenue expenditure growth item "I-DFE-GP24-003 Jersey Business - Core Grant Funding", identified in Appendix 3: Supplementary Financial Table, should be reduced by £150,000 for each year with these funds being held in the Central Reserve until a business case for this growth is agreed by the States Assembly".
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 3 CONTRE: 43 ABSTAIN: 0
Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy M.R. Scott
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville 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 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 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, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South (P.72/2023 Amd.(7)).
Adjournment
THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Thursday 14th 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 5.58 p.m.
W.J.C. MILLOW Deputy Greffier of the States