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STATES OF JERSEY
CHIEF MINISTER AND CHAIRMAN OF COMITÉ DES CONNÉTABLES: MONTHLY MEETINGS
Lodged au Greffe on 16th April 2013 by Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade
STATES GREFFE
2013 Price code: A P.51
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to request the Chief Minister, with effect from October 2014, to establish a system of monthly meetings with the Chairman of the Comité des Connétable s to discuss matters of mutual interest affecting the States and the parishes, with the meetings to be formally minuted and with the Minutes being made publicly available as happens at present with the Minutes of the Council of Ministers.
DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
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P.51/2013
REPORT
Concerns have been raised in some quarters that if Constables lose their ex-officio role in the Assembly they will have difficulty in gaining access to Ministers and departments. Irrespective of the result of the referendum and the subsequent decision of the States on the way forward for Electoral and Compositional Reform, it is generally accepted in order for the 2 administrations to work together, effective lines of communication must remain open.
Personally, I do not share the fears that the loss of the ex-officio role will lead to a breakdown in communications, however, I do know the value of face-to-face dialogue and there is no harm in providing for extra safeguards. Presently the Chairman of the Comité is, by recent convention, given a seat (or at least an invite – if not a vote) at the Council of Ministers, but this is an informal arrangement. It could cease in future depending on the person and politics of a future Chief Minister, if the Constables do remain. Similarly, if the Constables do lose their ex-officio role, it will be necessary for another basis to exist for formal dialogue.
This proposition, therefore, seeks to remove the uncertainty that some feel, or at least have been promoting, as to the future interactions between the decentralised administrations of the Parishes and the centralised administration of the States of Jersey.
I trust this proposition will prove uncontroversial and that it can gain universal support from States Members, irrespective of our view on Reform.
Financial and manpower implications
There are no additional financial or manpower implications for the States, as these provisions will be dealt with from within existing budgets and resources.
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P.51/2013