States Meeting Summary - Tuesday 19 March
19th March 2024
Appointments
Deputy Louise Doublet, a member of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee was appointed to the Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Deputy Inna Gardiner appointed two unelected members to the PAC, Graeme Phipps and Philip Taylor.
The Public Accounts Committee determines whether public funds have been used efficiently, effectively, and economically to deliver value for money for Islanders.
Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Deputy Inna Gardiner also appointed Deputy Kristina Moore and Deputy David Warr to the PAC.
Ministers then answered States Members’ questions with notice.
Skip to page 5 of the Order Paper to find out which questions were asked and watch from 11 minutes into this morning’s hearing to hear questions with notice in full.
States Members then asked the Minister for Infrastructure, Connétable Andy Jehan, Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, and the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham questions without notice for 15 minutes each.
Skip to 1 hour and 23 minutes into this morning’s recording to watch the questions without notice.
Scrutiny panel constitution: Minimum size
Deputy Max Andrews has lodged a proposition, calling for Scrutiny panels to have a minimum of 3 members. If a member or Chair leaves and membership falls below 3, the Panel must replace them in the next States Meeting.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Andrews’ proposition
Part A: 8 votes for, 35 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Part B: 6 votes for, 35 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Draft Children and Civil Status (Amendments) (Jersey) Law 202-
The Minister for Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert, proposed the draft Children & Civil Status (Amendments) (Jersey) Law. This would facilitate the acquisition of legal parent status and parental responsibility by a child’s parents, including:
It would also equalise how couples in civil partnerships are treated when compared to married couples regarding legal parent status and parental responsibility.
The States Assembly voted to unanimously APPROVE the Minister’s proposition in its third reading, with 36 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Skip to 2 hours and 40 minutes into this morning’s recording to watch the debate in full. The final vote was taken at the start of the afternoon session.
Draft Children and Young People (Jersey) Commencement Act 202-
The Minister for Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert proposed the Draft Children and Young People (Jersey) Commencement Act to bring the Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2022 into force.
This new Law will enhance child safeguarding arrangements, promote the wellbeing of children and young people, and support looked after children and care leavers.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition, with 42 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Cash payment at Government Sports facilities
Deputy Lucy Stephenson proposed to reintroduce the ability for members of the public to pay in cash at Government run sport facilities by June 2024, and that the Council of Ministers review current and planned Government policies regarding cash payments across all departments and facilities by June 2024. This was proposed as amended by the Minister for Infrastructure, Connétable Andy Jehan, who proposed an amendment that added in the words, that have previously accepted cash payments by June 2024; and the word relevant to the Government departments and facilities.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Stephenson’s proposition, as amended, with 41 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
Update of Higher Education Student Funding
Deputy Inna Gardiner proposed updates to funding for higher education, including equal funding for distance learning courses, defining independent student status, expanding clinical course grants, updating legislative orders, adjusting means-tested funding thresholds, introducing sliding scale tuition fees, and reviewing asset thresholds for grant eligibility. These changes, if adopted, would take effect from September 2024 or 2025, with additional provisions for a review of asset thresholds, and consultation on student loans availability.
The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, proposed amendments to this proposition, including the allocation of more funding to students in need of extra financial assistance.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Rob Ward’s amendments, 33 votes for, 9 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
The States Assembly then went on to vote to APPROVE Deputy Gardiner’s proposition, as amended with 42 votes for, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions.
The States Meeting then adjourned and will recommence at 09:30am on Tuesday 16 April
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