States Assembly Meeting Summary 17-18 November
17th November 2020
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, nominated Deputy Jeremy Maçon as the new Minister for Children and Housing following following Senator Sam Mézec’s resignation two weeks ago. Following 20 minutes of questions for Deputy Maçon from States Members, the Bailiff confirmed the Deputy’s appointment as Minister for Children and Housing.
Oral questions
Senator Kristina Moore asked the following questions of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel: “How many letters have been sent out to taxpayers requesting payment by 30 November for the 2019 year of assessment?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question at 40 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Carina Alves of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: Will the Minister advise how many social worker vacancies there are currently in the States of Jersey and how many social workers have left employment in the 12 months?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 45 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Geoff Southern of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Given the continuing level of vacancies experienced by his department, will the Minister explain the role, and extent, of the use of vacancy factor management in achieving efficiency savings or any re-balancing measures in the Government Plan 2021–2024?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 54 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Rob Ward of St. Helier asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “Will the Minister state how many dwellings have breached tenancy laws in the past 2 years due to the sale of utilities above cost price to tenants, and will he confirm what action, if any, is taken against any landlords found in breach of the law?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 59 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Mike Higgins of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs, Connétable Len Norman: “Will the Minister advise whether there has been any incidence of a disciplinary hearing organised by the Ambulance Service, Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service or the States of Jersey Police not being conducted in accordance with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to a fair trial); and, if so, will he provide the reasons for non-adherence to that Article?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 6 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Lindsay Ash of St. Clement asked the following question of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham: “Will the Minister advise whether the gate giving access to F.B. Fields from Samarès is ever locked and, if so, will he commit to remedying this situation to allow for ease of access to this facility, particularly for those residents of Andium Homes properties who are elderly or have young children who are otherwise required to walk to the front entrance?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 9 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Russell Labey of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham: “Given the impact of last-minute flight cancellations by airlines, will the Minister explain what action, if any, he is taking to ensure that flights remain affordable, particularly for students returning to the Island over the Christmas period?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 11 minutes into the States Meeting.
The Deputy of St. Martin, Steve Luce, asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Will the Minister advise how he intends to assist any Islanders with medical conditions who are facing challenges caused by the reduction in flights to Southampton to just one a day?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 15 minutes into the States Meeting.
Senator S.Y. Mézec asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “When will the Chief Minister publish the Housing Policy Development Board’s final report; and does he accept its recommendations?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 18 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis: “Following the Minister’s statement to the Assembly in June that “discussions are ongoing” with regards to the trial No.19 bus service allowing passengers to access the Town centre via Library Place with a stop at the Le Sueur Obelisk, will the Minister give an update as to when this service will be implemented?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 25 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Kevin Pamplin of St. Saviour asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Given the measures to be used to combat the recent rise in Covid-19 infections in the Island, will the Minister advise what plan, or enhanced plan, is in place to combat the effects on mental health and to support those with mental illness, both in and out of a care environment?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 27 minutes into the States Meeting.
The Connétable of St. Peter asked the following question of the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis: “Given that the Government Plan indicates expenditure as part of the Covid response of £2 million in 2021 on the bus contract, with further expenditure anticipated from 2022 to 2024, will the Minister advise what this money is to be used for?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 38 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Kirsten Morel of St. Lawrence asked the following question of the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis: “Does the Minister have any plans to undertake a review of the availability of residential parking at Beaumont, particularly for those who live on Route de La Haule and the surrounding area, and if not, why not?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 47 minutes into the States Meeting.
The Deputy of St. John, Trevor Pointon, asked the following question of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel: “Will the Minister consider issuing 3, 5, and 10-year investment bonds to residents of the Island which offer a realistic rate of return; and if not, why not?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hour and 57 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade asked the following question of the Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Young: “Will the Minister advise what powers, if any, he has to order the repair or removal of glasshouses that have been left to fall into disrepair and that are not in current agricultural use; have such powers been used; and if not, why not?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 3 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Carina Alves of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs, Connétable Len Norman: “Further to recent media reports that approximately 6,000 people have not yet applied for settled status, will the Minister advise what, if anything, is being done to contact and encourage these individuals to submit their applications?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 14 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Kevin Pamplin of St. Saviour asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “Further to the Chief Minister comments during the debate on P.149/2020, that a new protocol will be put in place for Government press releases, will he provide a timescale for this to be implemented and state what action, if any, will be undertaken in the meantime?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 17 minutes into the States Meeting.
Senator Sam Mézec asked the following question of the Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin: “When will the Minister implement the decision made by the States in adopting ‘Zero-Hours Contracts’ (P.92/2016) that exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts should be banned?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 1 hours and 20 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Geoff Southern of St. Helier asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “Will the Minister state what the waiting time is between the submission of an application to the Affordable Housing Gateway and acceptance on a priority band enabling the applicant to bid for suitable housing units; and is this processing time dependent on the type of property required?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 25 minutes into the States Meeting.
The Deputy of St. Martin, Steve Luce, asked the following question of the Assistant Minister for Education: “Will the Assistant Minister update the Assembly on his plans for travel arrangements for Jersey students returning to the Island for Christmas?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 28 minutes into the States Meeting.
Deputy Rob Ward of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Young: “Will the Minister explain what spending there has been, if any, from the Climate Emergency Fund during 2019, and will he outline any spending and planned allocations for 2020?” Listen to the Minister’s answer to the question 2 hours and 34 minutes into the States Meeting.
Ministers were asked to provide written answers to the below oral questions:
- Deputy Kirsten Morel of St. Lawrence asked the following question of the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis: “Will the Minister advise the Assembly what steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Island based architectural practices are given every opportunity to compete for infrastructure projects undertaken by his department, particularly, but not limited to, those large capital projects identified in the proposed Government Plan?”
- Deputy Mike Higgins of St. Helier asked the following question of the Chair of the States Employment Board, Senator John Le Fondré: “Will the Chair explain how the States Employment Board’s policies ensure that all disciplinary hearings are conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice and with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights?”
- Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Will the Minister advise the Assembly what impact, if any, the presence of the on-Island testing laboratory has had on the speed of polymerase chain reaction (P.C.R.) testing within the last month?”
Questions without notice
The Minister for Home Affairs, Connétable Len Norman, and the Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey, answered questions without notice (QWN) from States Members for 30 minutes. QWN is when Ministers have not been given prior awareness of the questions they will be asked. Catch up on QWN by skipping to 2 hours and 40 minutes of today’s States Meeting.
Public business
Draft Social Security law re family-friendly employment rights
The Minister for Social Services Deputy Judy Martin, proposed changes to the Draft Social Security law. The changes replace current maternity benefits with a modern parental benefits system available to both parents from the beginning of 2021.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition, as amended – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Our Hospital site selection: Overdale
The Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, proposed Overdale as the site for Jersey’s new hospital.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition, as amended by Scrutiny and Constable Simon Crowcroft – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Acquisition of land for the new hospital at Overdale
The Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, asked the States Assembly to approve the acquisition of land and properties by the Public to build the new hospital. proposed Overdale as the site for Jersey’s new hospital.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Financial Services (Disclosure and Provision of Info) Regulations
The Assistant Minister for External Relations, Constable Richard Buchanan, asked the States Assembly to approve a recommendation from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which requires basic information about people holding the role of director and equivalent positions publicly available.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Financial Services (Disclosure and Provision of Info) Appointed Day Act
The Assistant Minister for External Relations, Constable Richard Buchanan, asked the States Assembly to approve an Appointed Day Act to make it law from 6 January 2021 for basic information about people holding the role of director or equivalent posts to be publicly available.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Limited Partnerships Additional Annual Charge
The Assistant Minister for External Relations proposed that annual fees payable by Limited Partnerships to the Jersey Financial Services Commission should increase by £30.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Intellectual Property
The Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, proposed a draft law to ensure Jersey complies with the Marakesh Treaty. The aim of this is to improve access to copyright works for visually impaired and blind people by 1 January 2021.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Establishment and funding of the Fiscal Stimulus Fund
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, proposed a new States fund of £50 million to be established called the Fiscal Stimulus Fund – part of a package of measures to enable the economy to recovery quicker. This was successfully amended by Deputy Kirsten Morel.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Standing Orders to allow remote and 'hybrid' Sittings in light of COVID-19
The Chair of PPC, Deputy Russell Labey, proposed a change to Standing Orders (parliamentary rules) in Jersey to allow remote and hybrid States Sittings in light of COVID-19.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – a link to find out how States Members voted will be available shortly.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Carbon Neutral and Sustainable Transport Policy
Deputy Jess Perchard proposed additional ideas to reduce car usage as part of the Carbon Neutral Strategy and Sustainable Transport Policy, as amended by the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Standing Orders - changes the make-up of the States
Senator Lyndon Farnham proposed that at least 32 States Members should vote in favour of a Proposition which changes the make-up of the States for it to be adopted.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Data Protection Law
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, proposed to amend the Draft Data Protection Law to allow Jersey ad the UK to lawfully exchange trading data following Brexit.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
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