States Assembly Sitting Summary 2 November
2nd November 2020
The Bailiff announced today that Deputy Troy, who served St Saviour No. 2 from 1975 for eight years, sadly passed away this weekend on 31 October. The Assembly observed a one-minute silence in memory of him.
Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone, Deputy Jess Perchard, and Connétable Richard Vibert were nominated by the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Deputy Inna Gardiner, to become members of the PAC. This was approved by the States Assembly, and as a result, they have been appointed as members of the PAC. The PAC is responsible for ensuring public money is spent efficiently and assessing whether sound financial practices are applied throughout the public sector.
Oral questions
Below we provide a summary of some of the questions that were asked during 'Oral Questions With Notice'.
Deputy Steve Luce asked the Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, what arrangements are being put in place to ensure that overseas Jersey students can return to the Island for Christmas. Deputy Maçon advised that the Department for Education is running a survey for all Jersey students studying overseas, asking them what their travel plans are for the Christmas period. He said that so far, the survey had received 600 responses. He urged all overseas students to complete the survey before the deadline of 9 November.
Deputy Louise Doublet asked the Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, what scientific evidence was used to advise that face masks should be worn in public places. The Minister responded saying that the evidence used was included in a 6-page evidence review on mouth and nose coverings, and that it was sent to States Members on 7 October 2020. He advised that the review is ongoing and being used to underpin the development of updated guidance on masks and face coverings in the community.
Deputy Inna Gardiner also had a question for the Health and Social Services Minister. She asked what plans are in place to ensure enough staff are employed at the General Hospital to deal with a potential rise in COVID-19 cases during the winter. The Minister streseds that the safety of patients is both his and Health and Community Service’s top priority. He went on to say that a daily operational hub has been set up to ensure that no areas are under-resourced, and that this is managed by the flexible use of the entire workforce in response to daily needs. The Minister finished by advising that that the winter COVID-19 preparedness plan was launched today and contains further details.
Deputy Kevin Pamplin asked the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, what work is being carried out to ensure Jersey’s supply chain is prepared for the post-Brexit period, whether or not a deal is agreed between the UK and EU. The Minister said that the government and its supply chain partners have undertaken significant work to ensure Jersey is prepared to minimise any disruption brought on by Brexit. He added that 95% of freight arrives by sea, and that remaining freight is brought in via air and is more secure. He confirmed that Jersey can stockpile non-perishable goods if necessary, and that Condor Ferries’ fleet has resilience.
Deputy Mike Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Social Services what criteria the government will use to decide whether to implement a lockdown in Jersey, in response to a second wave of COVID-19. Deputy Renouf advised that the COVID-19 winter strategy – which was released today – sets out clearly how the government will respond to the challenges of containing the pandemic during the winter period. The Minister went on to say that a key feature of the plan features the idea of harms – that is, learning from the previous period of lockdown. He said evidence shows that lockdown has had a social, economic and emotional impact on society and advised the Assembly that complete lockdown is a last resort.
Deputy Steve Luce asked the Minister for Health and Social Services to assess the level of public compliance with the guidance that face asks should be worn in public places. The Minister referred to face mask guidance which was issued on Monday 26 October 2020, which aims to protect the Island from the further spread of COVID-19. He said he believes it is too early to assess the level of public uptake as the public is still adjusting, but that early indications show that many Islanders support the new measure. He said the wearing of face masks is an ongoing educative process and that he hopes to lodge a new law this week to make wearing a face mask mandatory in certain instances.
The Connétable of St Martin asked the Assistant Minister for Environment what work is being carried out to improve the protection of the welfare of livestock. Deputy Gregory Guida said that his department has been working hard on the Wildlife Law for the last few years. He went on to say that Jersey has secured one of the best veterinarians as Chief Veterinary Officer for the government, and that that individual will advise on developing the law.
Deputy Graham Truscott asked the Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, what plans are being considered to deal with traffic issues around Overdale, if the States Assembly approves it as the new hospital site. The Deputy Chief Minister said access and transport is a key issue for the Hospital Project and will be dealt with in full when the States Assembly has chosen a site. He confirmed that Westmount is the preferred option for access to Overdale. Deputy Truscott asked the Deputy Chief Minister to bring information on the new hospital to the States Assembly regarding the impact on the local area, before they make a decision on which site the new hospital should be built on. The Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that the information is already available and that he is available to speak with States Members to run through the details if they have any questions.
Deputy Kirsten Morel asked the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré whether he or the Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, were informed before the government CEO took up a role as a Non-Executive Director at New Rover R.E.I.T., and if permission was sought and provided. The Chief Minister said that he was aware and verbally agreed on the condition that there was no conflict of interest. He advised the Assembly that the States Employment Board (SEB) was not consulted and that it had expressed its disappointment to both him and the CEO. As a result, the CEO has apologised to the Chief Minister and SEB for not instigating a written request for permission. Written permission has now been granted and due diligence is being followed. The Chief Minister stressed to the States Assembly that an occurrence like this will not happen again.
Statement
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, made a statement about the appointment of the Chief Executive of the government as a Non-Executive Director of a UK real estate company. This was followed by 30 minutes of questions from States Members.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said that the original statement made by the Chief Minister regarding the CEO’s NED role included errors. He said that States Members and members of the public should not be blamed for “not checking facts”, as there were a “lack of facts” given by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister responded by reiterating that the CEO has admitted that he made a mistake and that his apology has been accepted. He continued saying that it was a singular lapse in focus and that "one mistake does not define his capacity or ability as CEO".
Deputy Montfort Tadier asked the Chief Minister who commissioned and approved the press release that claimed the CEO received all required approvals for his NED role. The Chief Minister confirmed that neither he, nor the Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, provided clearance for the press release to be published and that the usual press release sign-off protocol had failed on this occasion.
The Chief Minister went on to confirm that the CEO will not receive funds from his NED role and that funds will go to charity. He told the Assembly that the CEO was found by a head hunter looking for someone with his expertise in regeneration schemes in the UK.
Questions without notice
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, and the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré answered questions without notice (QWN) from States Members for 30 minutes. QWN are when Ministers have not been given prior awareness of the questions they will be asked. You can catch up on QWN and the rest of today’s debate by watching the webcast on the States Assembly website.
3 November
Public business
The deployment and use of Tasers by the States of
Jersey Police: Second Amendment
The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny
Panel made an Amendment to the amended proposal, requesting that Tasers only be
issued to police officers who have completed their probationary period. The
Panel also asked that body-worn cameras be used by officers to record and log
all Taser usage.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Amendment.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The
deployment and use of Tasers by the States of Jersey Police: Amendment to the
Second Amendment
The
Minister for Home Affairs proposed an Amendment to the second Amendment, requesting
that the Proposition add "whenever practicable" after "must" in the following
sentence: "Any use of a Taser must be recorded on body worn cameras…".
Following
this, the States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition, as amended by the
Scrutiny Panel and the Minister.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The deployment and use of Tasers by the States of
Jersey Police
The Minister for Home Affairs, Constable Len
Norman, put forward a Proposition authorising the deployment and use of Tasers
by the States of Jersey Police. The Proposition specified that a Taser only be
issued by a police officer upon completion of a Taser course; Tasers be used at
a police officer’s personal discretion; and usage comply with all existing
legislation.
Prior to the meeting, the Minister approved the
Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s Amendment to his
Proposition, requesting that the proposition be implemented for a one-year
trial period, after which the impact of Taser usage should be reviewed. It was
therefore debated as amended.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the
Proposition.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The new Wildlife Law
The Assistant Minister for the Environment, Deputy
Gregory Guida, brought forward a Proposition to replace the new ‘Wildlife Law’
with the existing Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the
Proposition in the 1st reading.
The new ‘Wildlife Law’ will be scrutinised and
deferred for a second reading.
READ
THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The Jersey Care Model (JCM)
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy
Richard Renouf, requested the Assembly’s approval of the Jersey Care Model and
its strategic objectives. It was also asked that Members note Ministers’
intentions to bring forward proposals for investment in the Jersey Care Model
in the Government Plan 2021-24.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the
Proposition.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The Jersey Care Model: Amendment
The Health and Social Security Panel proposed an Amendment
to the Jersey Care Model’s implementation, requesting that it include an
independent, non-executive board to hold executives account for the JCM’s delivery.
This was approved before the meeting commenced, so the proposition was debated
as amended.
Deputy
Geoff Southern proposed a "reference back", seeking further information
regarding the Jersey Care Model, however the Assembly voted to REJECT this
request.
The
States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition, as amended by the Scrutiny
Panel.
READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
4 November
Amendment to Statistics and Census regulations
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, proposed an Amendment to the Statistics and Census Law,
including the addition of two questions to the next Census relating to health
and disability.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE this Proposition.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
Appointed day of the next Census
Deputy Scott Wickenden requested that States members accept 21 March
2021 as the date of Jersey’s next Census.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
Moving taxpayers on a prior year basis
(PYB) to a current year basis (CYB)
The Minister for Treasury and
Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, proposed to bring in a new law which would
remove prior year tax payments and move all taxpayers onto a current year basis
from 2020.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE
the Proposition.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
Changes to long-term care contributions
following PYB tax reform proposals
Minister Judy Martin requested
alterations to the Social Security Law, including changes to long-term care
contributions. This is related to the move of prior year tax payments to a
current year basis which was accepted by the States Assembly in the previous
Proposition.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE
the Proposition.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
Migration and Population Data: Amendment to the Amendment
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Deputy Rowland Huelin’s Amendment to
Deputy Perchard’s Amendment, which requested that the Council of Ministers
deliver an interim Population Policy before 31 December 2021.
READ
THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
Migration and Population Data: Amendment
Deputy Perchard proposed an Amendment to her Migration and Data
proposal, requesting that “Migration Policy” be updated to “Population Policy”
and for the Government of Jersey to deliver a Common Population Policy to the
Assembly before 31 December 2021.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Perchard’s Proposition, as
amended.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
Migration and Population Data
The States Assembly then returned to the original debate, as amended. Deputy
Jess Perchard proposed that all future Migration Policy present sustainability
data for every decade, asking that it show infrastructural, educational,
health, environmental, social, and population predictions, until 2070.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Jess Perchard’s Proposition,
as amended.
READ
THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE
The making an Order in Council which extends the UK Act to Jersey
The Minister for Home Affairs, Constable Len Norman, made a proposition
requesting the extension of part 1, and sections 6 and 9 of the Immigration and
Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020, to Jersey. In practice,
this means that EU nationals who live in Jersey and have ‘Settled Status’ will
have no issue with travelling into Jersey. Anyone coming from the EU to visit
can do so without a visa or work permit for up to 6 months. However, anyone
from the EU or anywhere else in the world who wants to live and/or work in
Jersey will need a visa and work permit.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Proposition.
READ THE FULL
PROPOSAL HERE
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