States Meeting Summary 30 November - 3 December
30th November 2020
Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Deputy Inna Gardiner, nominated Dr Helen Miles, Mr Graeme Phipps and Mr Adrian Lane as members of the PAC, following which the Bailiff confirmed their appointment.
Oral questions
Deputy Robert Ward asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Given that Jersey’s performance framework shows that, since 2008, the percentage of Islanders with physical or mental health conditions lasting (or expected to last) for 12 months or more has remained unchanged, despite the Island’s population increasing by more than 12,000, will the Minister advise what measures are being undertaken to improve the long-term mental and physical health needs of Islanders?”
Deputy Graham Truscott of St. Brelade asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Will the Minister provide the Assembly with an update on the performance of the Jersey Covid Alert App in terms of its impact on understanding and controlling the spread of Covid19 in Jersey?”
Deputy Geoff Southern of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Will the Minister inform Members which, if any, groups of vulnerable patients have been selected to receive affordable primary care through subsidized G.P. consultations, as required by P.125/2019; and furthermore, provide an estimated date for delivery of this service?”
Deputy Steve Ahier of St. Helier asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “Will the Minister provide his assessment of the appropriateness of the offer by D2 Real Estate to acquire a driveway near Overdale, taking into consideration the adoption of ‘Our Hospital Site Selection: Overdale’ (P.123/2020), as amended?”
5. Deputy Kevin Pamplin of St. Saviour asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré : “With regards to the complaint against the Chief Operating Office that is currently being investigated by the States of Jersey Complaints Panel, will the Chief Minister explain how he and the Chief Operating Office have engaged with the complaints process; and, if they have refused to engage, will he explain when such refusal was communicated to the Complaints Panel?”
Deputy Mike Higgins of St. Helier asked the following question of H.M. Attorney General, Mark Temple QC. “Will H.M. Attorney General advise the Assembly of the legal rights of prisoners at H.M. Prison La Moye to make and receive telephone calls to friends, family and outside organisations; and state what legitimate and proportionate restrictions, if any, there exist to such rights?”
The Constable of St. Helier asked the following question of the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré: “Following the adoption of my amendment to ‘Our Hospital Site Selection’ (P.123/2020), will the Minister explain how the Parish of St. Helier, including the Deputies and residents of St. Helier No. 3/4, are to be involved in the investigation into alternative access arrangements to Overdale and the consideration of mitigating the destruction of property and natural amenity, as well as potential financial savings?”
The Constable of St. Martin asked the following question of the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, Deputy Russell Labey: “Will the Chair state the minimum amount of time needed for the States Assembly to approve and install a new voting system for elections in Jersey in time for the 2022 General Election; and will he set out, with reference to the allocated campaign periods and estimated cost, a possible timeline for organising and holding a referendum on electoral reform in 2021, should Amendment 4 to P.139/2020 be adopted?”
Deputy Robert Ward of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Ward: “Will the Minister advise how long it is estimated that current landfill space in Jersey can be used and whether any other sites are being investigated; and, if so, will he state which sites are under consideration and what is being done to reduce waste and to enable a sustainable approach to waste management?”
Deputy Mike Higgins of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Children and Housing, Deputy Jeremy Maçon: “Will the Minister advise the Assembly what steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Children’s Services records are accurate; to enable all service users to review their records, particularly any in which there may be accusations of child abuse or neglect; and to ensure that no inaccurate information is provided to the Courts when they are considering matters that could potentially see a child removed from their parents?”
The Constable of St. Martin asked the following question of the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, Deputy Russell Labey: “Will the Chair state what consideration, if any, has been given by the Committee to providing alternative voting options or processes to Members, such as the Indicative Votes system used by the U.K.’s House of Commons in 2003, 2007, and 2019, to allow Members to debate and vote according to the merits of each amendment to P.139/2020, as well as the proposition itself?”
Deputy K.G. Pamplin of St. Saviour asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf: “Will the Minister explain why the minutes of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (S.T.A.C) for the period July to November 2020 have not yet been published, despite this having been explicitly requested by the States Assembly with its adoption of P.88/2020?”
Deputy Geoff Southern of St. Helier asked the following question of the Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin: “Will the Minister explain how the £6.6 million additional investment allocated to the Jersey Care Model (reference CSP2-1-05) in the Government Plan 2021-2024 will be spent in 2021 and state how much will be spent on the Model in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and will she set out the proposed order in which the services involved will be delivered?”
Listen to Ministers’ answers to oral questions by skipping to 15 minutes into the States Meeting.
Questions without notice
The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, and the Chief Minister, Senator John John Le Fondré, 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 30 minutes of today’s States Meeting.
Following this, the Chief Minister answered an urgent question from Deputy Kevin Pamplin regarding the Government's response to the recent spike in positive COVID-19 cases.
READ THE FULL QUESTION HERE.
Public business
Draft Customs and Excise Regulations (declarations and controls)
The Minister for Home Affairs, Constable Len Norman, proposed to amend the Customs and Excise Law so that following the UK’s exit from the EU on 31 Dec 2020, Jersey can allow for provisions on declarations and controls.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft EU Law – animal welfare during transport and pet travel
Assistant Minister for the Environment, Deputy Gregory Guida, asked the States Assembly to amend laws relating to animal welfare during transport and the Pet Travel Scheme, in light of the UK leaving the EU.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Income Support – definition of “social housing”
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, asked the States Assembly to amend the definition of “social housing” to include housing provided by the Clos de Paradis Housing Trust.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft EU Law – official controls
The Minister for Environment, Deputy John Young, asked the States Assembly to ensure laws regarding food & feed, animal health & welfare, and plant health & plant protection products are adhered to following the UK’s exit from the EU.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Composition and election of the States Assembly
Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC), Deputy Russell Labey, proposed changes to the make-up and election of the States Assembly. Changes include an Assembly of 49 Members, with 37 elected from 9 districts, as well as 12 Constables.
Deputy Jeremy Macon proposed an Amendment to PPC’s proposition. He asked for an Assembly of 52 Members from 9 districts, with changes to the number of representatives within each district.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Amendment – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Constable Len Norman proposed an Amendment to PPC’s Proposition. He requested that the proposed Assembly of 49 States Members each be elected from 14 parish districts, as opposed to 37 from 9 districts.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Amendment – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Deputy Mike Higgins proposed an Amendment to PPC's Proposition. Like the PPC, he wanted a States Assembly of 49 Members, 39 elected from 9 districts, but proposed changes to the number of representatives within these districts.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Amendment – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Before public business resumed on 2 December, Deputy Louise Doublet asked the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, an urgent oral question regarding childcare and support for essential workers, in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
Listen to the Chief Minister’s response by skipping to 15 minutes into the meeting.
READ THE FULL QUESTION HERE.
Senator Lyndon Farnham proposed an Amendment to the PPC’s Proposition. His proposed changes included an Assembly of 48 Members, with 28 Deputies elected from 6 large districts.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Amendment – click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, proposed an Amendment to PPC’s Proposition. He asked for changes such as a States Assembly of 53 Members, with 33 Deputies. This would have added an additional 4 Deputies to different parish districts.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Amendment – click here find out how States Members voted on part 1, and here for parts 2 and 3.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Constable Karen Shenton-Stone proposed an Amendment to PPC’s Proposition. She requested a “None of the Above” voting option in future election ballots, with the aim of enabling voters to express discontent if a Member is voted in unopposed.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Amendment - click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Constable John Le Maistre proposed an Amendment to PPC's Proposition. He asked for a referendum to be held to allow Islanders to vote on the proposed changes and asked that these changes not be adopted unless the majority of Islanders voted in favour of them.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Amendment - click here to find out how States Members voted.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The States Assembly returned to debate the PPC's original Proposition, as amended by Constable Karen Shenton-Stone.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the amended Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Channel Islands Lottery - allocation of 2019 proceeds
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, asked the States Assembly to allocate a 50/50 split of £1,388,268 from 2019 lottery ticket sales to the Jersey Community Foundation and Association of Jersey Charities.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Deputy Gregory Guida proposed an Amendment to Senator Lyndon Farnham's Proposition. He requested that the lottery proceeds be distributed solely to registered charities and that at least 10% of the total be dedicated to science.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Amendment - click here to find out how States Members voted.
The States Assembly returned to debate Senator Lyndon Farnham's original Proposition, which was APPROVED as amended - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Jersey Heritage Trust - Amendments to constitution
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, asked the States Assembly to allow Jersey Heritage Trust to alter their own constitution without requiring ministerial approval.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Senator Lyndon Farnham's Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Draft Geographical Indications Regulations
Assistant Minister for External Relations, Constable Richard Buchanan, proposed more protection to Jersey Law which would ensure products have a specific geographical origin and a link to the place they are made (e.g. Champagne), following Brexit.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal - appointment of Chair
The States Assembly APPROVED the Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin's, proposed appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as Chair of the Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Jersey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal - appointment of Members
The States Assembly APPROVED Deputy Judy Martin's proposed appointment of Dr Elena Moran as Chair of the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal from 1 December 2020; and Mr Cyril Whelan as Deputy Chair of the Tribunal from 1 January 2021.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Social Security Tribunal - appointment of Chair
The States Assembly APPROVED Deputy Judy Martin's proposed appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as Chair of the Social Security Tribunal.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal - appointment of Chair
The States Assembly APPROVED Deputy Judy Martin's proposed appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as Chair of the Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Amendment of Standing Orders - procedure for written and oral questions
Chair of PPC, Deputy Russell Labey, proposed to amend the procedure for written and oral questions, in light of the States Assembly moving Meetings to a 3-week cycle in January 2021.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE PPC's Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Draft Amendment of Standing Orders - absence from Assembly meetings
Deputy Louise Doublet requested the creation of "parental responsibilities" as a new reason for a Members absence from the Assembly.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Louise Doublet's Proposition - click here to find out how States Members voted.
Safe singing during COVID-19
In light of new COVID-19 restrictions, Deputy Louise Doublet withdrew her Proposition to amend current guidelines on singing to allow for a wider variety of singing activities to take place.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Draft Amendment of Standing Orders - States Members Chairing Scrutiny or the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
Deputy Scott Wickenden proposed an Amendment to Standing Orders which sought to prevent a States Member Chairing a Scrutiny Panel or the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) if they are in the same political party as any of the Ministers that the Panel scrutinises.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE.
Deputy Scott Wickenden withdrew his Proposition, which was APPROVED by the States Assembly. The Deputy assured he would re-lodge the Proposition to be debated at a later date.
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