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States Minutes 5th July 2023

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THE STATES assembled on Wednesday 5th July 2023, at 9.30 a.m. under

the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff , Robert James MacRae , Esquire.

 __________________

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

Connétable Michael Keith Jackson of St. Brelade – absent on States business Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade – absent on States business

Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North – ill

Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – ill

Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour – excused attendance

 __________________

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. No members participated remotely in the meeting.

Belgian Ambassador to the United Kingdom – welcome

The Presiding Officer, on behalf of all members, welcomed His Excellency Mr. Bruno van der Pluijm, Ambassador of Belgium to the United Kingdom, who was present in the Public Gallery.

Removal of compulsory independent taxation for existing married couples and civil partnerships P.32/2023

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of Deputy Lyndon John Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter entitled Removal of compulsory independent taxation for existing married couples and civil partnerships' (P.32/2023), as amended, and rejected paragraph (a) of the proposition that independent taxation should not be mandatory for married couples and civil partners who currently completed a joint tax return and who chose not to elect for independent taxation prior to 29th July 2022.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 20  CONTRE: 21  ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern


Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec

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

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

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

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy B. Ward


Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy D.J. Warr

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

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES, adopting paragraph (b) of the proposition,  requested the Minister for Treasury and Resources to take the necessary steps to ensure that joint taxation remained available for any such married couples and civil partners.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 21  CONTRE: 20  ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache 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.E. Binet

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy B. Ward


Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES rejected paragraph (c) of the proposition to request the Minister for Treasury and Resources to take the necessary steps to modernise joint taxation returns to ensure married couples and civil partners, who chose to remain subject to joint taxation, would have shared responsibility for their tax return, and that both parties to the tax return would be required to sign.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 20  CONTRE: 21  ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Lawrence   Connétable of St. Martin

Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy S.G. Luce

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 M.R. Scott

Deputy C.D . Curtis

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

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy B. Ward


Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES rejected paragraph (d) pf the proposition that for those who married or who entered into a civil partnership after 31st December 2021, and those who married or entered into a civil partnership before 31st December 2021 and moved to the Island after this date, who were automatically assessed independently for tax, there should be the ability to opt for application of the current marriage and civil partnership exemption thresholds and allowances.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 18 CONTRE: 23 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy S.G. Luce

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 M.R. Scott

Deputy C.D . Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy A. Howell

Deputy B. Ward


Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Changes in Presidency

The Deputy Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during consideration of the proposition of Deputy Lyndon John Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter entitled Removal of compulsory independent taxation for existing married couples and civil partnerships' (P.32/2023) and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mr. William John Charles Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States, until his return.

Draft Income Tax (High Value Residents – Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202- P.29/2023

THE STATES, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 80A, made an Act under Article 12 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019, declaring that the taxation draft entitled the Income Tax (High Value Residents – Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202- (lodged au Greffe on 16th May 2023 by the Minister for Treasury and Resources (P.29/2023) as adopted on 4th July 2023 in third reading by the States), had immediate effect as if that draft had been confirmed by His Majesty in Council and registered in the Royal Court on the date of the making of this Act.

Jersey Police Complaints Authority – Appointment of Member P.37/2023

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of the Minister for Home Affairs entitled Jersey Police Complaints Authority – Appointment of Member' (P.37/2023) and, adopting the proposition, appointed, in accordance with Article 2 of, and the Schedule to, the Police (Complaints and Discipline) (Jersey) Law 1999, the following person as a member of the Jersey Police Complaints Authority for a period of 3 years, commencing immediately –

Mrs Rachel Catchpole.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 38 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Trinity 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 K.F. Morel

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

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

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 C.D . Curtis Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

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

Taxation of High Value Residents P.44/2023

THE STATES commenced consideration of a  proposition of Deputy Lyndsay  Victoria   Feltham of St. Helier Central entitled Taxation of High Value Residents' (P.44/2023) and rejected paragraph (a) to request the Minister for Treasury and Resources to bring forward the necessary legislative changes to the Income Tax (Jersey) Law 1961 to remove the prescribed limit relating to High Value Residents' income tax contribution.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 12  CONTRE: 28  ABSTAIN: 2

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Helier Deputy R.E. Binet Connétable of St. Ouen   Connétable of Trinity Deputy T.J.A. Binet Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Peter

Deputy G.P. Southern Connétable of St. Martin

Deputy R.J. Ward Connétable of St. John

Deputy C.S. Alves Connétable of St. Clement

Deputy S.Y. Mézec   Connétable of Grouville

Deputy T.A. Coles   Connétable of St. Mary

Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy C.D . Curtis Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.V. Feltham   Deputy L.M.C. Doublet

Deputy A.F. Curtis   Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy I.J. Gorst

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 M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Deputy M.B. Andrews

Following the rejection of paragraph (a) of the proposition, the Deputy Bailiff informed the Assembly that paragraph (b) of the proposition was deemed to have been withdrawn.

THE STATES rejected paragraph (c) of the proposition to request the Council of Ministers to undertake a full and comprehensive cost benefit review of the High Value Residents' scheme to be presented as a report to the Assembly by 1st November 2023.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 19  CONTRE: 21  ABSTAIN: 2

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Deputy R.E. Binet Connétable of St. Lawrence   Connétable of St. Peter Deputy T.J.A. Binet Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy G.P. Southern

Connétable of Grouville Deputy S.G. Luce

Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy L.M.C. Doublet

Connétable of St. Mary Deputy K.F. Morel

Connétable of St. Saviour   Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat   Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy R.J. Ward   Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache

Deputy C.S. Alves   Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy S.Y. Mézec   Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy T.A. Coles   Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée   Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D . Curtis   Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy L.V. Feltham   Deputy A. Howell

Deputy A.F. Curtis   Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy M.B. Andrews   Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, both Deputy Rosemary Esther Binet of Grouville and St. Martin and Deputy Thomas John Albert Binet of St. Saviour declared an interest in the subject of the proposition of Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central , in that they were landlords of tenants who were High Value Residents and, as the interest was a financial interest that was personal to them, they both abstained from voting on the proposition.

Arrangement of public business for future meetings

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, agreed that the meeting scheduled for 18th July 2023 would begin at 2.30 p.m. on Monday 17th July 2023 for the purpose of considering oral questions with notice, oral questions without notice and any statements that would be made; with the consideration of public business listed for debate at the meeting to begin on Tuesday 18th July 2023.

THE STATES agreed the following arrangement of public business for future meetings proposed, as amended, by the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 88(3) –

17th July 2023

(Meeting to commence at 2.30 p.m. on Monday 17th July 2023. Consideration of Public Business to commence at 9.30 a.m. on 18th July 2023.)

La Collette Waste Management Site – Development Plan.  P.17/2023. Lodged: 6th April 2023, Minister for Infrastructure.

La Collette Waste Management Site – Development Plan (P.17/2023): amendment.  P.17/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Connétable of St. Helier .  Amd.

La  Collette  Waste  Management  Site   development  plan  (P.17/2023):  second  P.17/2023. amendment.  Amd.(2). Lodged: 4th July 2023, Minister for Infrastructure.

Draft EU Legislation (Information Accompanying Transfers of Funds) (Amendment) P.36/2023. (Jersey) Regulations 202-.

Lodged: 26th May 2023, Chief Minister.

Draft Employment (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 202-.  P.38/2023. Lodged: 2nd June 2023, Minister for Social Security.  (re-issue)

New Stamp Duty Rates.  P.39/2023. Lodged: 5th June 2023, Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North .

Draft Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations P.40/2023. 202-

Lodged: 5th June 2023, Minister for the Environment.

Draft Proceeds of Crime (Financial Intelligence – Commencement of Amendment P.42/2023. Regulations) (Jersey) Act 202-.

Lodged: 12th June 2023, Chief Minister.

States of Jersey Development Company Limited: re-appointment of a Non-Executive P.43/2023. Director.

Lodged: 12th June 2023, Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Whistleblowing – introduction of legislation.  P.47/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy C.S. Alves of St. Helier Central .

Mortgage repayment assistance.  P.48/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central .

Entitlement to work – reduction in residency requirement.  P.49/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour .

Supplementary Planning Guidance – Parking Strategy.  P.50/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Connétable of St. Helier .

Financial support for local disasters.  P.51/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy L.J. Farnham of St Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter .

Financial support for parents of babies needing additional neonatal care.  P.52/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour .

Negotiation of purchase for the site of the Seaside Café, Grève de Lecq.  P.53/2023. Lodged: 27th June 2023, Deputy L.J. Farnham of St Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter .

12th September 2023

Draft Income Tax (Amendment – Stage 2 of Independent Taxation) (Jersey) Law 202-. P.41/2023. Lodged: 6th June 2023, Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Act declaring that the Income Tax (Amendment Stage 2 of Independent P.41/2023. Taxation) (Jersey) Law 202- has immediate effect.  Add. Presented: 6th June 2023, Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Amendment to Standing Orders – the establishment of PPC sub-committees. P.46/2023. Lodged: 23rd June 2023, Privileges and Procedures Committee.

THE STATES rose at 3.19 p.m.

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