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States Minutes 6 February 2024

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THE STATES assembled on Tuesday 6th February 2024, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff , Robert James MacRae , Esquire.

 __________________

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Vice-Admiral Jeremy Paul Kyd, C.B.E. was present.  __________________

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

Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central – excused attendance (joined at 9.42 a.m. and arrived in the Chamber at 10.30 a.m.)

Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter – en défaut

 __________________

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. The following Members attended remotely, either for all or part of the meeting –

Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central Bishop of Northern Malawi – welcome

The Deputy Bailiff , on behalf of members, welcomed the Right Reverend Fanuel Magangani, Bishop of Northern Malawi, who was present in the Public Gallery.

His Majesty King Charles III

The Deputy Bailiff informed members that a message had been sent by the Bailiff to His Majesty King Charles III on behalf of the States and People of Jersey in the following terms –

"May it please Your Majesty

Your people in Jersey have learned with concern the news regarding Your Majesty's health.

That you have chosen to make public your illness can only give hope and support to those who are facing similar challenges.

May we assure you, Sir, that you are in the thoughts and prayers of the people of Jersey and we wish you well for a speedy and complete recovery."

Subordinate enactments tabled

The following enactments were tabled, namely –

Revenue Administration (Information Sharing) (Jersey) Order 2024.  R&O.2/2024. Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Documents presented

Requirement for Seconder at Time of Lodging a Proposition (P.102/2023) – comments.  P.102/2023. Presented: 29th January 2024, Privileges and Procedures Committee.  Com.

The Seaside Café site at Grève De Lecq – acquisition by the public and transfer to the P.5/2024. National Trust for Jersey (P.5/2024): amendment (P.5/2024 Amd.) – Children's Rights  Amd.Add. Impact Assessment.

Presented: 29th January 2024, Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and

St. Peter

Ceasefire In Gaza (P.7/2024) – Children's Rights Impact Assessment.  P.7/2024. Lodged: 29th January 2024, Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade . Add.

Cabinet Office expenditure savings (P.8/2024): Children's Rights Impact Assessment. P.8/2024. Presented: 5th February 2024, Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier South .  Add.

Jersey Audit Office Strategy 2024-27.  R.9/2024. Presented: 26th January 2024, Comptroller and Auditor General.

Comptroller and Auditor General Audit Plan 2024 to 2027.  R.10/2024.  Presented: 26th January 2024, Comptroller and Auditor General.

Pan-Island Commissioner for standards: Annual Report 2023.  R.11/2024. Presented: 29th January 2024, Privileges and Procedures Committee.

States of Jersey Law 2005:  Delegation of  Functions   Minister for Children and R.12/2024. Education – Appointment of Assistant Minister.

Presented: 1st February 2024, Minister for Children and Education.

States  of  Jersey  Law  2005:  Delegation of  Functions –  Minister  for  Sustainable  R.13/2024. Economic Development – appointment of Assistant Minister.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development.

States  of  Jersey  Law  2005:  Delegation of  Functions –  Minister  for  Children  and  R.14/2024. Education – appointment of two Assistant Ministers.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for Children and Education.

Land Transactions under Standing Order 168(3) – Lease of Areas of St. Ewold's  R.15/2024. Residential Care Home.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for Infrastructure.

States of Jersey Law 2005: Delegation of Functions – Minister for Justice and Home  R.16/2024. Affairs – appointment of Assistant Minister.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.

States Of Jersey Law 2005: Delegation of Functions – Minister for the Environment –  R.17/2024. Appointment of Assistant Minister.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for the Environment.

States of Jersey Law 2005: Delegation of Functions – Minister for Health and Social  R.18/2024. Services – Appointment of Assistant Ministers.

Presented: 6th February 2024, Minister for Health and Social Services.

Notification of lodged propositions

The Seaside Café site at Grève De Lecq – acquisition by the public and transfer to the P.5/2024. National Trust for Jersey (P.5/2024) – amendment.  Amd. Lodged: 29th January 2024,   Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and

St. Peter

Ceasefire In Gaza.  P.7/2024. Lodged: 29th January 2024, Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade .  (re-issue)

Cabinet Office expenditure savings.  P.8/2024. Lodged: 5th February 2024, Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North .  (re-issue)

Appointment of the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee

THE STATES, in accordance with Standing Order 119, appointed the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee as follows –

Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North was nominated by Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central .

In accordance with Standing Order 119(2), the candidate made a speech and was questioned. Once the period of questions had concluded, there being no other nominations, the Deputy Bailiff declared that Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North had been duly appointed as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

Appointment of the Chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel

THE STATES, in accordance with Standing Order 120, appointed the Chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel as follows –

Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade was nominated by Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity .

Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade was nominated by Deputy Carolyn Fiona Labey of Grouville and St. Martin .

In accordance with Standing Order 120, each candidate made a speech and was questioned prior to a recorded vote being taken.

THE STATES, having proceeded to a recorded vote, were informed of the following results by the Deputy Bailiff

Deputy H.M. Miles of   Deputy M. Tadier of  Abstain: 0 St. Brelade : 25   St. Brelade : 20

Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy I.J. Gorst

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


Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

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 T.J.A. Binet

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy B. Ward


In accordance with Standing Order 120(6A), the Chief Minister and the Minister for Treasury and Resources did not cast a vote.

The Deputy Bailiff accordingly declared that Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade had been duly appointed as Chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.

Appointment of the Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel

THE STATES, in accordance with Standing Order 120, appointed the Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel as follows –

Deputy Jonathan Renouf of St. Brelade was nominated by Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade . Deputy  Montfort   Tadier  of  St.  Brelade  was  nominated  by   Deputy  Raluca  Stefana   Kovacs  of St. Saviour .

In accordance with Standing Order 120, each candidate made a speech and was questioned prior to a recorded vote being taken.

THE STATES, having proceeded to a recorded vote, were informed of the following results by the Deputy Bailiff


Deputy J. Renouf of   Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade : 17   St. Brelade : 24

Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. John   Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of Trinity Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Connétable of St. Peter Deputy S.M. Ahier Connétable of St. Clement


Abstain: 1 Deputy M.R. Scott


Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf 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


Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen 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 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.E. Binet

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.B. Andrews


In accordance with Standing Order 120(6A), the Chief Minister, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, the Minister for External Relations and the Minister for International Development did not cast a vote.

The Deputy Bailiff accordingly declared that Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade had been duly appointed as Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

Changes in Presidency

The Deputy Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during the appointment of the Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mr. William John Charles Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States, until the Deputy Bailiff 's return.

Appointment of the Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel

THE STATES, in accordance with Standing Order 120, appointed the Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel as follows –

Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity was proposed by Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South .

In accordance with Standing Order 120, the candidate made a speech and was questioned. Once the period of questions had concluded, there being no other nominations, the Deputy Bailiff declared that Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity had been duly appointed as Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel.

Appointment of the Chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel

THE STATES, in accordance with Standing Order 120, appointed the Chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel as follows –

Deputy Lousie Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour was nominated by Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade .

Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South was nominated by Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour .

In accordance with Standing Order 120, each candidate made a speech and was questioned prior to a recorded vote being taken.

THE STATES, having proceeded to a recorded vote, were informed of the following results by the Deputy Bailiff


Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour : 24

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf 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 A. Howell

Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy B. Ward

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


Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée of St. Helier South : 21

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 Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

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 R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis


Abstain: 1 Deputy M.R. Scott


In accordance with Standing Order 120(6A), the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Minister for Social Security did not cast a vote.

The Deputy Bailiff accordingly declared that Deputy Lousie Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour had been duly appointed as Chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel.

States Employment Board – appointment of members

In accordance with Article 5 of the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005, the following nominations were made by the Chair of the States Employment Board for members of the Board who were not Ministers or Assistant Ministers –

The Connétable of St. Clement

Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour

Deputy Sir Philip Martin Bailhache of St. Clement was nominated by Deputy Andrea Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity

Deputy Stephen Morrison Ahier of St. Helier North was nominated by Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade

THE STATES, having proceeded to a secret ballot, were informed of the following results by the Deputy Bailiff

The Connétable of St. Clement  31 Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour  16 Deputy Sir Philip Martin Bailhache of St. Clement  18 Deputy Stephen Morrison Ahier of St. Helier North  23

The Deputy Bailiff accordingly declared that the following had been duly appointed as members of the States Employment Board –

The Connétable of St. Clement

Deputy Stephen Morrison Ahier of St. Helier North .

Written Questions

(see Official Report/Hansard)

WQ.1/2024 1.  The Chief Minister had tabled an answer on 22nd January 2024 to a question asked by Deputy

M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding Government expenditure on the new hospital / healthcare facilities programme.

WQ.2/2024 2.  The Chair of the States Employment Board had tabled an answer on 22nd January 2024 to a

question asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade regarding training material on bullying provided to Government employees.

WQ.3/2024 3.  The Minister for Treasury and Resources had tabled an answer on 22nd January 2024 to a

question asked by the Connétable of St. Brelade regarding grants or loans issued to Government arm's length organisations with a value of over £20,000.

WQ.5/2024 4.  The Minister for Health and Social Services had tabled an answer on 29th January 2024 to a

question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding locum and agency staff in the Health and Community Services Department.

WQ.6/2024 5.  The Minister for Treasury and Resources had tabled an answer on 29th January 2024 to a

question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding revenue expenditure overspend or underspend in 2023.

Oral Questions

(see Official Report/Hansard)

OQ.12/2024  1.   Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North asked a question of the Minister for Treasury and

Resources regarding tax relief for lower income earners and students who self-funded their professional career development.

OQ.14/2024  2.   Deputy D.J. Warr of St. Helier South asked a question of the Minister for Housing and

Communities regarding improvements to access to social housing.

OQ.22/2024  3.   Deputy H.L. Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity asked a question of the Minister for

Social Security regarding the outcomes from the free period product scheme.

OQ.18/2024  4.   Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North asked a question of the Minister for the Environment

regarding the prospect of a ban of disposable vapes in Jersey.

OQ.20/2024  5.   Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Social Security

regarding the family friendly elements of the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003.

OQ.26/2024  6.   Deputy K.M. Wilson of St. Clement asked a question of the Minister for Health and Social

Services regarding an evidence-based approach to developing healthcare in the Island. OQ.16/2024  7.   Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Health and Social Services

regarding the prospect of hospital services being subject to regulatory control of the Jersey

Care Commission.

OQ.27/2024  8.   Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding

the undertaking of a review of options to convert the Minimum Wage to a Living Wage. OQ.28/2024  9.   Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central asked a question to the Minister for Housing and

Communities regarding the long-term plans for Les Cinq Chênes Estate.

OQ.19/2024  10.   Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North asked a question of the Assistant Minister for Children

and Education regarding implementation of the Further Education and Skills Actionable Agenda.

OQ.23/2024  11.   Deputy H.L. Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity asked a question of the Minister for

Infrastructure regarding the price rises that had recently been announced by Island Energy. OQ.17/2024  12.   Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Housing and

Communities regarding the redevelopment of the St. Saviour 's Hospital site.

OQ.15/2024  13.   Deputy D.J. Warr of St. Helier South asked a question of the Minister for Housing and

Communities regarding the launch of the First Step first-time buyers' scheme.

OQ.13/2024  14.   Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding an

analysis of the respective costs of the previous Our Hospital project in comparison with those of the plans for new multi-site healthcare facilities.

OQ.21/2024  15.   Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Children and

Education regarding same-sex parental rights legislation.

Oral Questions without notice (see Official Report/Hansard)

The Minister for Health and Social Services answered questions without notice from members. Adjournment

THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Wednesday 7th February 2024 to continue Oral Questions without notice to Ministers and for the consideration of the proposition listed for the meeting.

THE STATES rose at 5.34 p.m.

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