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STATES OF JERSEY ORDER PAPER
21st MARCH 2023
SUMMARY
9.30 a.m. Communications by the Presiding Officer and other announcements Appointments, matters of privilege, petitions
• Nomination for the Chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel.
• Nominations for members of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel.
Approx. 9.40 a.m. Oral questions with notice Up to 2 hours 20
minutes
Urgent questions (if any)
Up to 45 minutes, Oral questions without notice:
divided between the Minister for Social Security
three Ministers Minister for Treasury and Resources
• Chief Minister
Statements
• Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will make a statement regarding the Mois de la Francophonie 2023'.
Approx. 2.15 p.m. Draft Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Law
Development of Town Masterplan (P.9/2023).
Development of Town Masterplan (P.9/2023): amendment (P.9/2023 Amd.).
Development of Town Masterplan (P.9/2023): second amendment (P.9/2023 Amd.(2)).
Arrangement of public business at subsequent meetings
Lunch adjournment likely around 12.45 p.m., until 2.15 p.m.
If business is not completed by around 5.30 p.m. the Assembly usually adjourns for the evening and will resume its meeting at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th March 2023 if necessary.
STATES OF JERSEY ORDER PAPER
21st MARCH 2023
- COMMUNICATIONS BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER
- TABLING OF SUBORDINATE ENACTMENTS
(Explanatory note attached)
Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Amendment No. 15) (Jersey) Order 2023. R&O.20/2023. Minister for Infrastructure.
- DOCUMENTS PRESENTED
Draft Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Law 202- P.4/2023. (P.4/2023): comments. Com. Presented: 15th March 2023, Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny
Extension to the term of appointment for the Chair of the Jersey Care R.34/2023. Commission.
Presented: 2nd March 2023, Minister for the Environment.
States Of Jersey Law 2005: Delegation of functions – Minister for External R.35/2023. Relations and Financial Services – Delegation of External Relations.
Presented: 2nd March 2023, Minister for External Relations and Financial
Efficiency Savings. R.37/2023. Presented: 9th March 2023, Comptroller and Auditor General.
Notice under Article 29A(3) of the States of Jersey Law 2005: Transfer of R.38/2023. Financial Services.
Presented: 14th March 2023, Chief Minister.
States of Jersey Accounting Standards 2022. R.39/2023. Presented: 14th March 2023, Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Land Transactions under Standing Order 168(3) – Lease - All land and buildings R.40/2023. forming the St. Brelade 's Social Club, Fields B89 and B90.
Presented: 14th March 2023, Minister for Infrastructure.
Jersey's Gender Pay Gap (follow-up) report (S.R.6/2022): response of the Chief S.R.6/2022. Minister. Res. Presented: 8th March 2023, Chief Minister.
- NOTIFICATION OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS
Channel Islands Lottery Distribution of Proceeds. P.10/2023. Lodged: 2nd March 2023, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport
- WITHDRAWAL OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS
- APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS, COMMITTEES AND PANELS
Nomination for the Chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel. Nominations for members of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel.
Note: The timing of the appointment of members to the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel will be subject to the wishes of the newly-elected Chair of the Panel and to confirmation by the Assembly. The appointment may therefore take place immediately following the appointment of the Chair, later in the meeting or at the following meeting.
- MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE
- PETITIONS
- QUESTIONS
- – Written Questions
(see attached)
WQ.82/2023 1. The Minister for the Environment tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question asked
by the Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding regulating Estate Agents. WQ.83/2023 2. The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question asked by the
Connétable of St. Martin regarding a strategy for Islanders facing difficulties in purchasing
food for themselves and their families.
WQ.84/2023 3. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question
asked by the Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central regarding primary care payment mechanisms.
WQ.85/2023 4. The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question asked by the Deputy
M.R. Scott of St. Brelade regarding the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services' portfolio.
WQ.86/2023 5. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question
asked by the Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central regarding a Cancer strategy for Jersey. WQ.87/2023 6. The Minister for Social Security tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question asked by
the Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central regarding the Transform (Systems Renewal
Strategy) GP21-013-CAPITA.
WQ.88/2023 7. The Minister for Housing and Communities tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to a question
asked by the Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South regarding Andium homes' numbers of properties.
WQ.89/2023 8. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central regarding a response to recommendations from the Deployment of Staff Resources in Health and Community Services report.
WQ.90/2023 9. The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture tabled an answer on
13th March 2023 to a question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding headcount of companies in the Island.
WQ.91/2023 10. The Chair of the States Employment Board tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding appointments with salaries exceeding £100,000.
WQ.92/2023 11. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North regarding complaints in her department.
WQ.93/2023 12. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central regarding the regulation of zero-hour contracts.
WQ.94/2023 13. The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central regarding a cancer strategy. WQ.95/2023 14. The Minister for Infrastructure tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question asked by
Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central regarding income received from the rental of sports
facilities.
WQ.96/2023 15. The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question
asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central regarding a new Education campus at Highlands College.
WQ.97/2023 16. The Minister for Housing and Communities tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a
question asked by Deputy C.D . Curtis of St. Helier Central regarding young couples upsizing their properties.
WQ.98/2023 17. The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question
asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade regarding non-fee paying secondary school places. WQ.99/2023 18. The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question
asked by Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour regarding the Finance Law Delegation Report,
R.30/2023.
WQ.100/2023 19. The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question asked by Deputy M.R.
Scott of St. Brelade regarding improving transparency and accountability across Government.
WQ.101/2023 20. The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question
asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade regarding the Government's new invoice payment system.
WQ.102/2023 21. The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to a question
asked by Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central regarding the operational policies and guidance documents used by her department.
- – Oral Questions (2 hours 20 minutes)
OQ.57/2023 1. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade will ask the following question of the Chief Minister –
"Given that £57 million of the Connect IT budget has been spent on consultants and staff compared to £6 million spent on licences and software for Government's new procurement IT system, does the Chief Minister consider that greater technical knowledge is required within the Government workforce to adequately run and procure IT projects, and if so, what actions are being taken to address this?"
OQ.38/2023 2. Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South will ask the following question of the Minister for the
Environment –
"Will the Minister advise whether the minimum size requirements, as set down in Supplementary Planning Guidance, for new dwellings, are still appropriate; and, if they are not, what consideration is being given to increasing them?"
OQ.52/2023 3. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of the Chief Minister –
"Will the Chief Minister advise what recommendations, if any, have been made by the consultants that were instructed by the Government to review the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, and what plans the Government has for reform of the Scheme to ensure that it is fit for purpose and compliant with Jersey's domestic and international obligations towards the victims of crime?"
OQ.54/2023 4. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South will ask the following question of the Minister for
Housing and Communities –
"Following the States Assembly's rejection of a rent freeze in favour of asking landlords to refrain from increasing their rents, does the Minister regard this policy as having been a success?"
OQ.56/2023 5. Deputy C.S. Alves of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Health and Social Services –
"Will the Minister advise which hospital professionals can issue sick note certificates to patients and how, if at all, the issuance of certificates is monitored?"
OQ.45/2023 6. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister
for Social Security –
"Considering the provisions relating to child maintenance contained in the French Civil Code and the progress of the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill now on its 3rd reading in the UK, both of which target the ease with which child maintenance can be recovered, will the Minister agree to review the current means for recovery of maintenance under Income Support regulations with a view to improvement, and if not, why not?"
OQ.39/2023 7. Deputy S.G. Luce of Grouville and St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister
for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture –
"Will the Minister advise whether he has plans to review the bureaucracy and red tape' that Jersey businesses face and commit to reducing the red tape for non-financial sector businesses; and, if not, why not; and will he further advise how he intends to develop and stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit of Island businesses, with details of the key performance indicators that will be used?"
OQ.49/2023 8. Deputy C.D . Curtis of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Home Affairs –
"Will the Minister commit to undertaking a review of the criminal justice process regarding rape investigations, and if not, why not?"
OQ.43/2023 9. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter will ask the following question of
the Minister for Infrastructure –
"Further to the invitation to Health and Community Services employees to receive an update and provide feedback on the new Health Care Facilities Programme at a series of drop-in workshops, will the Minister advise the number of workshops that were held and the number of employees who attended?"
OQ.37/2023 10. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North will ask the following question of the Minister for
Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture –
"Will the Minister advise how many business relocations Digital Jersey have been responsible for since 2018?"
OQ.41/2023 11. Deputy B.B. de S. D.V. M. Porée of St. Helier South will ask the following question of the
Minister for Health and Social Services –
"Given that the UK has included Covid-19 within its Vaccine Damage payment scheme, whereby a payment can be made for a severe disability resulting from vaccination, will the Minister advise whether there is any intention to create such a scheme in the Island, and if not, why not?"
OQ.50/2023 12. Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Housing and Communities –
"Further to his answer to Written Question 1/2023, is it the Minister's assessment that the Government should have a formal contractual arrangement with social housing providers; and if not, why not?"
OQ.47/2023 13. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Children and Education –
"Will the Minister outline what reviews, if any, have been carried out regarding the processes undertaken for the school inspections that were supervised by the recently convicted senior member of CYPES, and will the Minister provide details on what that member of staff's role was in the inspections?"
OQ.46/2023 14. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister
for Social Security –
"Will the Minister provide an explanation of the concept of deemed income, giving reference to the example found on page 33 of the Income Support Policy Guidelines, and further advise whether the application of such deemed income to the pensioner couple example on page 36 would give rise to an interest rate of 20.8 per cent?"
OQ.55/2023 15. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier South will ask the following question of the Minister for
Social Security –
"Will the Minister update the Assembly on plans to reduce the cost of seeing a GP?"
OQ.42/2023 16. Deputy S.G. Luce of Grouville and St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister
for Infrastructure –
"Further to the briefing given to the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel regarding the Bridging Liquid Waste Strategy 2023-2026, will the Minister advise when he intends to publish this document?"
OQ.51/2023 17. Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Social Security –
"What direction, if any, has the Minister provided to the Accountable Officer for the Social Security Fund regarding the level and type of expenditure from the Fund on administration work that is considered acceptable?"
OQ.40/2023 18. Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North will ask the following question of the Minister for
Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture –
"Will the Minister provide an update on the negotiations which have taken place with our French counterparts since he took office?"
OQ.53/2023 19. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of the Minister for Children
and Education –
"Will the Minister advise whether she is aware of any complaints from former pupils of St. James' School claiming that they were physically assaulted by staff members and, if she is, will she advise what action she is planning to take; and if she is not aware of any such complaints, will she undertake to consider the matter and to report back to the Assembly?"
OQ.48/2023 20. Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central will ask the following question of the Minister for
Health and Social Services –
"Further to the decision by Les Amis to abandon their plans to build a new facility at the Hampshire Hotel, what actions is the Minister considering, if any, in relation to the provision of facilities for adults with learning disabilities?"
OQ.44/2023 21. Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter will ask the following question of
the Minister for Infrastructure –
"In relation to the land at Kensington Place purchased by Andium Homes for £7.8 million in December 2021, will the Minister explain the rationale for purchasing the same parcel of land on behalf of the public of Jersey for more than double the original price in 2023?"
- – Questions to Ministers without notice (45 minutes)
1st question period – Minister for Social Security
2nd question period – Minister for Treasury and Resources 3rd question period – Chief Minister
- PERSONAL STATEMENTS
- STATEMENTS ON A MATTER OF OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will make a statement regarding the Mois de la Francophonie 2023'.
- PUBLIC BUSINESS
Draft Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Law 202-. P.4/2023. Lodged: 6th February 2023, Minister for External Relations and Financial
Draft Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Law 202- P.4/2023. (P.4/2023): comments. Com. Presented: 15th March 2023, Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel.
Development of Town Masterplan. P.9/2023. Lodged: 28th February 2023, Connétable of St. Helier .
- ARRANGEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS
18th April 2023
Draft Endangered Species (CITES) (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 202-. P.8/2023. Lodged: 23rd February 2023, Minister for the Environment.
Channel Islands Lottery Distribution of Proceeds. P.10/2023. Lodged: 2nd March 2023, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport
L.-M. HART Greffier of the States
16th March 2023
Note –
In accordance with the meeting dates fixed for 2023 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, this meeting will continue, if necessary, on Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th March 2023.
Explanatory Note regarding subordinate legislation tabled at this meeting.
(See Item B)
R&O.20/2023.
Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Amendment No. 15) (Jersey) Order 2023. Minister for Infrastructure.
This Order amends the Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Jersey) Order 2003 by reducing speed limits for roads in St. Brelade , St. Clement , Grouville , St. John and St. Saviour .
The Order comes into force on 22nd March 2023.
The Order was made on 14th March 2023 and comes into force on 22nd March 2023.
WRITTEN QUESTIONS (See Item I(a))
- The Minister for the Environment tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North –
"Will the Minister advise whether he will seek to regulate Estate Agents, and if so, when such regulation would be implemented?"
- The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by the Connétable of St. Martin –
"Following a report in the Jersey Evening Post on Tuesday 21st February regarding the increasing number of pensioners and children using food banks in Jersey, including a 41 percent increase between January 2022 to January 2023 in the number using the Salvation Army's Minden Street food bank, will the Chief Minister advise whether the Government intends to develop and deliver a strategy to ensure that Islanders do not face difficulty in purchasing enough food for themselves and their families; and, if not, why not?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central –
"Given that the key findings of the Jersey Care Model Review, as detailed within the Jersey Care Model, adopted under P.114/2020, state that "There is an urgent need to change primary care payment mechanisms in the short term with an opportunity to update them in the longer term", will the Minister advise –
- what progress has been made, if any, to change primary care mechanisms; and
- how she proposes to manage the transition of the funding for the preferred funding option, Option 2 –
- for vulnerable groups; or
- universal coverage at a total cost of £14.5 million per year?"
- The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade –
"Further to the response to Written Question 55/2023, will the Chief Minister –
- provide both a revised Ministerial Plan and Delivery Plan for External Relations highlighting any areas of anticipated involvement by the Minister for External Relations in promoting, protecting or otherwise representing the Island in finance industry matters;
- explain –
- the apparent inconsistency in the application of ministerial standards by allowing the Minister to retain the External Relations part of his portfolio while removing the Financial Services part; and
- the term "proportionate" in respect of the response;
- expand upon the response given to part (c) by providing details of any risk assessments, consultations or accompanying procedures that were carried out prior to the decision to the portfolio changes; and, if no such were carried out, provide an explanation as to why it was not considered necessary; and
- expand upon the response given to part (d) in relation to the decision to allow the Minister to retain the External Relations portfolio by providing –
- the number of expressions of concern received from people involved or formerly involved in the finance industry; and
- the total number of communications received in respect of this decision expressing concern?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister advise the current progress in the development of a Cancer strategy for Jersey?"
- The Minister for Social Security tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister provide the following information in relation to the Transform (Systems Renewal Strategy) GP21-013-CAPITA (the "Programme"), which is referenced in her Ministerial Delivery Plan –
- the purpose of the programme and its intended outputs;
- the total anticipated expenditure on the programme over all years (including past years and forward estimates), broken down by year and type of expenditure;
- the actual expenditure to date on the programme by year, broken down as in (b);
- the secured budget for the Programme in the current Government Plan;
- sources of funding for the Programme (including previous funding, secured funding and any additional anticipated funding requirements); and
- any other resource requirements for the Programme that have not been identified in the answer to (b), for example staff time not paid for by the Programme, input of other departments not paid for by the programme?"
- The Minister for Housing and Communities tabled an answer on 6th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South –
"Will the Minister advise the number of homes that Andium provide, the amount that they are in the process of building and the quantity that they have planning approval to build, breaking each category down by site into number of bedrooms and maximum occupancy per unit?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central –
"Further to her answer to Oral Question 11/2023, will the Minister advise whether she is in a position to inform the Assembly of her officers' response to the recommendations contained in the Comptroller and Auditor General' Report dated 24th January 2023 entitled "Deployment of Staff Resources in Health and Community Services" (with particular reference to such issues as the harmonisation of 24/7 working practices across all of the workforce) given that a presentation was to be forthcoming no later than 7th March 2023?"
- The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North –
"Will the Minister advise the number of companies in the Island broken down by headcount for each year since 2018?"
- The Chair of the States Employment Board tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North –
"Will the Chair advise how many appointments have been made in each of the last five years where the employee's salary exceeded £100,000?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North –
"Will the Minister advise how many complaints have been filed against her department each year since 2018?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central –
"Given the approval by the previous Assembly of P.32/2021, regarding the need for regulation of zero-hour contracts, will the Minister advise –
- whether the estimated £50,000 funding allocated in the 2022-2025 Government Plan to undertake a review of workers' rights has been utilised, and if so, will she provide a breakdown of the spend;
- whether any further funding for this review has been allocated or utilised; and
- whether she will publish the report of the Jersey Employment Forum in relation to zero-hours contracts, and if not, why not; and if she does intend to publish the report, by what date?"
- The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister advise the current position regarding development of a cancer strategy for Jersey, and will she further state what resources are committed to the development of the strategy and the estimated timescale for implementation?"
- The Minister for Infrastructure tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister advise the annual income received from the rental of sports facilities owned by the States of Jersey to sports groups across the Island?"
- The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister advise the current position regarding a new Education campus at Highlands College?"
- The Minister for Housing and Communities tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy C.D . Curtis of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister advise whether he has considered the position of young couples who have managed to purchase a one-bedroom flat, but cannot afford to move to a larger property due to high prices, and wish to start a family; and will he provide details on any planned work aimed at empowering young people in this situation to upsize their property?"
- The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade –
"For each of the non-fee paying secondary schools would the Minister advise –
- how many places are available for year 7 intake;
- how many applications have been made for year 7 for September 2023;
- how many appeals have been received in relation to allocation of places, and of these, how many have been successful and how many are outstanding;
- whether there is any ability to increase capacity in cases where there is over-subscription, and if so, by how much;
and will the Minister further advise whether driving distance from principal residence to school is factored into appeals for secondary school places and, if not, why not?"
- The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy R.S. Kovacs of St. Saviour –
"Will the Minister provide further explanation in relation to the following funding highlighted in the report R.30/2023 Finance Law Delegation Report for the six-month period July-December 2022' –
- £500,000 has been transferred from Infrastructure, Housing, and Environment to Strategic Policy, Planning, and Performance (page 3, table 2.1) with the intention that:
"The funding will be used to create a dedicated function within SPPP to lead on the development and implementation of policy options for Housing, and co-ordinate the activities of delivery agencies. The recurring transfer is included in the Government Plan 2023-2026. (MD-TR-2022-720)",
will the Minister provide additional detail on what this function is, who will undertake it and provide a breakdown of how this funding will be used; and
- £245,000 has been allocated to the Legal Advisors Reward Scheme' (page 8), will the Minister explain what this scheme intends to achieve, and how many individuals have received a reward from this scheme, with detail on how much each individual received?"
- The Chief Minister tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade –
"Will the Chief Minister advise what specific laws, policy changes, and public employee contract changes, if any, she will be seeking to implement during her term of office to improve transparency and accountability across Government in furtherance of the priority identified within her 2023-26 Ministerial Plan?"
- The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade –
"With respect to Government's new invoice payment system (the System'), will the Minister advise -
- how many complaints have been received regarding either –
- the manner in which the change to the System was notified to suppliers of goods and services, and the manner of its implementation; or
- the System providing excessive information to suppliers of goods and services creating unnecessary administration for them;
- whether there was a plan in place for implementation of the System; and
- whether the System will be reviewed to assess its impact on suppliers of goods and services and, if so, when?"
- The Minister for Children and Education tabled an answer on 13th March 2023 to the following question asked by Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central –
"Will the Minister provide a list of the operational policies and guidance documents used by her department, including the following details for each –
- what date the document was approved for use;
- who approved it;
- the date of implementation;
- where the document can be accessed;
- what areas of the department use the policy/guidance;
- how staff are informed about, and provided training on, the policy/guidance; and
- how compliance/non-compliance with the policy/guidance is tracked and monitored?"
Explanatory Note on the appointment process for nomination a Chair of a Scrutiny Panel (Item F)
Under Standing Order 120, the appointment process for the nomination for the office of the Chair of a Scrutiny Panel is laid out. The Presiding Officer shall invite elected members to make nominations for the office of Chair of the Scrutiny Panel.
The appointment process for the Chair of the Health and Social Security Panel is as follows:
(1E) A nomination for the office of the chair of the scrutiny panel which is assigned the topics of
health, social services and social security shall not be made by the Minister for Health and Social Services or the Minister for Social Security.
- If only one person is nominated for the office of chair of a scrutiny panel –
- the presiding officer shall invite the nominated person to speak for up to 10 minutes;
- after the nominated person has spoken, the presiding officer shall allow up to 20 minutes for elected members to question the nominated person;
- when the nominated person's speech and the members' questions are concluded, the nominated person is taken to have been appointed as chair of that scrutiny panel.
- If more than one person is nominated, the presiding officer shall then, according to the order in which the candidates were nominated, invite each candidate to speak for up to 10 minutes.
- After a candidate has spoken, the presiding officer shall allow up to 20 minutes for elected members to question the candidate.
- While a candidate is speaking, or being questioned, other candidates must withdraw from the Chamber to a place where they cannot hear the proceedings in it.
- When the speeches and questions are concluded, a recorded vote shall be taken.
Under (6A), The Minister for Health and Social Services and the Minister for Social Security shall not be entitled to vote.
- The candidate who receives more than half of the votes cast is appointed as chair of the scrutiny panel.
- If no candidate receives more than half of the votes cast, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall withdraw from the contest and a further recorded vote shall be taken.
- If, in the circumstances described in paragraph (8), there are 2 or more candidates who receive the same number of votes as each other, but fewer votes than all the other candidates, a recorded vote shall be taken to select which of them shall remain in the contest and the candidate who receives the fewest votes shall withdraw from it.
- A candidate may withdraw his or her candidacy at any time.
- In the event that, by reason of the withdrawal of a candidate, only one candidate remains, the remaining candidate is appointed as chair of the scrutiny panel.
Explanatory Note on the appointment process for nomination Members of a Scrutiny Panel (Item F)
Under Standing Order 125, the appointment process for the nomination for members of a Scrutiny Panel is laid out.
- The chair of the scrutiny panel shall indicate the number of members (not exceeding 5) that he or she wishes the panel to have and shall nominate elected members who are neither Ministers or Assistant Ministers as candidates for appointment as those members.
- The presiding officer shall invite elected members to nominate other candidates.
- If no other candidates are nominated the persons nominated by the chair of the scrutiny panel are appointed as members of the scrutiny panel.
- If other candidates are nominated there shall be a secret ballot and the number of candidates equal to the number of members the panel is to have who receive the highest number of votes are appointed as members of the scrutiny panel.
- In a ballot an elected member shall have the same number of votes as there are members to appoint, although a member need not use all of his or her votes.
- In the event that 2 or more candidates receive the same number of votes in a ballot, being a number which, if received by one candidate, would be the lowest number of votes required for that candidate to be appointed as a member of the scrutiny panel, there shall be a further secret ballot between those candidates and the candidate receiving the greater number of votes shall be appointed as a member of the scrutiny panel.
- This process shall also apply, with the necessary modifications, whenever the chair of a scrutiny panel wishes to appoint one or more members of the panel (provided that the membership does not exceed 5).
Explanatory Note regarding the main respondents for items listed under Public Business
(Item L)
In accordance with Standing Order 104A, a time limit of 15 minutes applies to speeches made during debate, unless discretion has been exercised to allow for a longer, or shorter, time limit. No time limit applies to either speech made by the proposer.
Discretion is exercised by the Presiding Officer in accordance with guidance issued by the Bailiff , following consultation with the Privileges and Procedures Committee. The current guidance was presented to the States in the report Time Limits on Speeches in Debates: Guidance on the Exercise of Discretion' (R.3/2021). The report states that discretion may be exercised to allow for a longer speech than 15 minutes where the member speaking is designated as the main respondent' to the debate.
The following members have been identified as the main respondents in the debates listed to occur at this meeting –
Debate | Main Respondent(s) |
Draft Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Law 202- (P.4/2023). | Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel |
Minister for the Environment | |
Development of Town Masterplan (P.9/2023): amendment (P.9/2023 Amd.). | Connétable of St. Helier |
Development of Town Masterplan (P.9/2023): second amendment (P.9/2023 Amd.(2)). | Connétable of St. Helier |
ORAL QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS WITHOUT NOTICE (See Item I(c))
Questions without notice 2023
1st Session 2023
18th April Children and Education Economic Development, Chief Minister
Tourism, Sport and
Culture
2nd May Environment External Relations and Chief Minister
Financial Services
23rd May Health and Social Home Affairs Chief Minister
Services
13th June Housing and Infrastructure Chief Minister
Communities
4th July Children and Education Social Security Chief Minister 18th July Treasury and Resources International Chief Minister
Development
2nd Session 2023
12th September Economic Development, Environment Chief Minister
Tourism, Sport and
Culture
3rd October External Relations and Health and Social Chief Minister
Financial Services Services
17th October Home Affairs Housing and Chief Minister
Communities
7th November Infrastructure International Chief Minister
Development
28th November Social Security Treasury and Resources Chief Minister 12th December Children and Education Economic Development, Chief Minister
Tourism, Sport and
Culture