States Meeting Summary - 16-17 April
16th April 2024
Appointments
This week’s States Meeting began with the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy Inna Gardiner, appointing two unelected members to the Committee, Glen Kehoe and Vijay Khakhria.
The Public Accounts Committee determines whether public funds have been used efficiently, effectively, and economically to deliver value for money for Islanders.
Ministers then answered States Members’ questions with notice.
Skip to page 9 of the Order Paper to find out which questions were asked and watch from 10 minutes into this morning’s hearing to hear questions with notice in full.
States Members asked the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Elaine Millar, and the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, questions without notice for 15 minutes each.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources proposed to appoint Nick Williams as an additional Non-Executive Director of the States of Jersey Development Company Limited (SoJDC) for an initial period of up to 3 years, and Jennifer Carnegie as an additional Non-Executive Director and Chair of SoJDC for an initial period of up to 3 years.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition, with 41 votes for, 0 votes against and 2 abstentions.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources proposed a Draft Income Tax (Amendment - Stage 2 of Independent Taxation) (Jersey) Law 202-.
• Mark the final stage of moving away from taxing couples differently depending on their marital status
• Introduce a new ‘Compensatory Allowance’ to help couples gradually ease into Independent Taxation
• Allow couples who currently complete a joint tax return to continue to do so.
Deputy Louise Doublet proposed an amendment to this proposition, to remove the option for married or civil partnered couples to complete a joint tax form.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Doublet’s amendment, with 8 votes for, 36 votes against and 0 abstentions.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition, with 44 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, proposed to appoint Mr Peter J Pichler as an independent member of the Board of Governance of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General for a term of 5 years.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition, with 40 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Elaine Millar, proposed to approve the new Articles of Association of Andium Homes Limited, as set out in the Appendix which can be found here: bit.ly/49uMqvn
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition in a standing vote.
Deputy Max Andrews proposed that the minimum notice period an employer must give to end the employment of a non-fixed-term employee should be amended.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Andrews’ proposition, with 4 votes for, 39 votes against and 0 abstentions.
The Council of Ministers then proposed the following:
To agree that Jersey should pursue the opportunities arising from the development of an offshore wind farm in the southwest of its territorial waters;
To agree that development of up to around 1000MW in provision should be encouraged to meet the needs of Islanders, to power the Island’s future economy and to create energy for export;
To request the Council of Ministers to bring forward appropriate policy and legislation before the end of 2024 to set in place a process to lease, provide consent for, regulate and safely decommission a wind farm.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned and will recommence the Offshore Wind debate at 9:30am on Wednesday 17 April.
Wednesday 17 April
P.82 Offshore Wind
This morning's States Meeting began with the continuation of the debate on Offshore Wind.
Deputy David Warr proposed an amendment to the proposition, to additionally request the Council of Ministers to collaborate with Jersey Electricity PLC throughout the offshore wind farm development, utilising its expertise and French connections to manage risks and maximize benefits.
The States Assembly voted to reject Deputy Warr's amendment, with 2 votes for, 41 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
The States Assembly voted to approve the Council of Ministers' proposition, with 40 votes for, 1 vote against, and 0 abstentions.
Watch from the beginning of this morning's recording to watch the continuation of this debate and the vote.
Adjournment
The States Meeting then adjourned and will recommence at 9:30am on Tuesday 30 April.
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