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STATES OF JERSEY
COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE STATES: ABOLITION OF 6 SENATORIAL POSITIONS IN 2011
Lodged au Greffe on 7th September 2009 by Deputy A.E. Jeune of St. Brelade
STATES GREFFE
2009 Price code: A P.138
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
- to agree that 6 positions of Senator should be abolished from 2011 at the expiry of the term of office of the 6 Senators elected in 2005 with the total elected membership of the States thereby reduced to 47 members;
- to agree that in October 2011 the 12 Connétable s and 29 Deputies should all be elected on a single election day and for a period of 3 years; and
- to request the Privileges and Procedures Committee to bring forward for approval the necessary legislation to give effect to the proposals.
DEPUTY A.E. JEUNE OF ST. BRELADE
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P.138/2009
REPORT
This proposition will only be debated in the event the P.72/2009 fails to bring reform to the composition of the States of Jersey Assembly.
The need for reform has been clearly presented in the reports of P.72/2009 and its amendments and I will therefore not repeat in this report. It has been apparent to me that the people of Jersey (our electorate) are very clear in their expectations that there must be a reduction in the number of Members and are frustrated that this aspect of the Clothier Report has not been addressed. I am also aware that there is not a "burning desire" amongst voters to move to super constituencies.
This proposition therefore will reduce the number to 47 in a straightforward manner, respecting the basis that the 6 Senators who were elected in 2008 for a period of 6 years may continue for that period and enabling the next Assembly to assess the impact of such a reduction and review the position between 2011 and 2014 to ensure that a long-term composition of the States and term of office can be put in place by 2014 when the remaining 6 Senators come to the end of their term of office.
As has been demonstrated, Deputies and Connétable s are well able to perform the duties of Ministers, Chairpersons of Scrutiny Panels and Committees and therefore the current Ministerial and Scrutiny functions should not be affected.
If Members of this Assembly do not reduce the elected representatives for the next Assembly, I suggest we are failing the electorate of this Island. I consider P.72/2009 does not ensure that there is a reduction in the number of Members for the period 2011-2014.
There are many reasons for "voter apathy", but I understand that November voting days are not "preferred" by voters who would rather "turn out" in the month of October and given the school term times, this should be early in the month. I am therefore proposing that the 2011 election is held in the month of October.
Financial and manpower implications
At today's rates a reduction in membership of 6 would lead to an annual saving of £264,192 i.e. 6 x £44,032. The cost of holding elections in October should not incur any extra cost, but rather reduce costs as there will only be one election day.
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P.138/2009