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MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT: COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE STATES ASSEMBLY (P.186/2002) - COMMENTS
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Presented to the States on 12th November 2002 by the Connétable of Grouville
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STATES OF JERSEY
STATES GREFFE
150 2002 P.186 Com.(4)
Price code: A
Comments
The proposition [paragraph (b) of the proposition] is that the general election date should be moved from the autumn to the spring. The Special Committee says that it strongly supports this as better weather and lighter evenings' would have advantages in enticing greater public participation. The Connétable s support the general election being moved from the autumn to the spring but would point out that the elections would have to be held in late spring [mid-May and June]. The Parishes have a busy schedule in the spring with rate assessments, end of year accounts [the financial years end on 30th April [31st May for St. Martin]], auditing of accounts, preparation of budgets and the Parish Assembly to set the rate. Having regard to the existing workload, a first election in mid-May with the second election towards the end of June could be accommodated by Parishes and would have the benefit of enabling Parish Assemblies to set the rate to be held prior to a Connétable 's term of office expiring.
The Special Committee proposes that the elections for the twelve Connétable s should be held on the same day [paragraph (c) of the proposition] and that this should be the same day as the election for Senators [paragraph (d) of the proposition]. The Connétable s previously indicated to the Policy and Resources Committee their support, in principle, of a single election day for all States members and for the Connétable s. However, given the role of the Connétable as head of the Parish and the duty that befalls him with regard to elections, it may be impractical for Connétable s to be elected on the same day as States members and a date, say one month before, States members elections could be more practical.
The Comité has not commented on issues raised in the report of the Special Committee but which do not feature in the proposition as no change is proposed to the current position. The Comité has also not commented on paragraph (a) of the proposition as Connétable s will wish to express the views of their parishioners and their personal views on this during the debate.