States Meeting Summary 12 November
12 November 2025
WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Tribute
The Bailiff led a tribute to the former Connétable of St Martin (2006-2011), Silvanus Arthur Yates, better known as Silva, who passed away on Monday aged 91.
Public Business Wednesday 12 November
P.63 Draft Dogs Law (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202-
The Comité des Connétables proposed amendment regulations to the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 to introduce a registration scheme, which must be maintained by the States Veterinary Officer, for certain breeds of dogs meeting the criteria of a dangerous dog. The amendment would make it an offence to own a dangerous dog breed unless it has been registered.
The amendment would also require the registered owner of a dangerous dog breed to comply with conditions imposed by the States Veterinary Officer which include, but are not limited to: a requirement to neuter the animal to prevent breeding; ensuring the dog is kept muzzled and on a lead in public areas and is under the control of a person aged 18 or over; and that valid third-party public liability insurance has been obtained and approved by the States Veterinary Officer.
The Assembly debated a request from Deputy Hilary Jeune, Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, to refer the Proposition back to the Comité des Connétables, seeking further clarity from the Comité on certain aspects of the legislation.
This request was REJECTED, with 19 votes for, 22 votes against, and 2 abstentions.
The States Assembly then proceeded to debate the original proposition, voting to approve the Principles, however, the proposition was called in for further analysis by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel. The Proposition will return to the Assembly by no later than February 3rd, 2026.
Skip to 11 minutes into this morning’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.68 Commercial Properties and Leases: Improved Administration
Deputy Helen Miles proposed that a mechanism should be introduced to discourage commercial properties from being left vacant for extensive periods and that the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development should present to the Assembly an options paper identifying potential mechanisms, including fiscal ones, before the end of March 2026.
The proposition requested the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, in consultation with the Council of Ministers, to undertake a review of the structure of commercial leases in the Island, identifying areas of concern and providing recommendations.
The Council of Ministers was also requested to proceed with the creation of a digital register of all commercial properties in the Island.
The Minister for Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel - on behalf of the Council of Ministers - proposed an amendment to Deputy Miles’ proposition to explore options for ‘meanwhile use’ of vacant premises as part of the Retail Roadmap; to publish a set of best practice guides for both landlords and prospective tenants by collating the available information; and to undertake an assessment of all commercial properties to identify areas of high vacancy which would help to inform what steps should be taken to lower the rate.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Amendment with 43 votes for, 0 votes against and 1 abstention.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
The States Assembly then voted to APPROVE the Deputy’s proposition (as amended) with 38 votes for, 0 votes against and 1 abstention.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 2 hours and 52 minutes into this morning’s meeting to hear the beginning of the debate. Watch from the start of this afternoon’s meeting to hear the rest of the debate.
P.69 Draft Competition (Jersey) Amendment Law 202-.
The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel proposed amendments to the Competition (Jersey) Law 2005. The amendments focus on three main areas and aim to:
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Make a number of changes to improve the operation of Jersey's mergers and acquisitions regime.
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Create powers for the Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority to accept commitments from businesses to address any competition concerns that have been identified.
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Introduce a formal market studies framework to enable the Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority to keep local markets under review.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition with 42 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 49 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.71/2025 Draft Jersey Mutual Insurance Society (Transfer) (Jersey) Law 202-
A Law lodged by the Chief Minister on behalf of the Jersey Mutual Insurance Society proposed to restructure the Society to become a company limited by guarantee. The aim is to enable the new Company to have autonomy over its corporate governance. At present the Society needs a Law to be adopted every time it wishes to alter its Rules.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the proposition with 40 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 1 hour and 11 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.72/2025 Draft Income Support (Jersey) Amendment No. 2 Regulations 202
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, proposed a 4% increase to most Income Support Benefit rates from 2026 from the allocated funding of £2.8 million.
Most households will see some of the increase in their last December payment with the full increase showing in their first January payment.
The Clinical Cost component will not increase as extra support with GP costs has been provided through the Health Access Scheme. The rate payable for hostel accommodation would be increased by a greater amount to align it with the rate payable for lodgings or a bedsit.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition with 40 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 1 hour and 21 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.74 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Election Observers.
The Connétable of St. Helier, Simon Crowcroft, requested that the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee invite election observers from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to monitor and report on the General Election which is due to take place on 7 June 2026.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Connétable’s proposition with 32 votes for, 13 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 1 hour and 35 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.75 Health and Safety Appeal Tribunal: re-appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair.
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, proposed the re-appointment of the following persons as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Health and Safety Appeal Tribunal for a three-year period:
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Advocate Cyril Whelan – Chair
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Advocate Niall MacDonald – Deputy Chair
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister's proposition.
Skip to 2 hours and 27 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.76 Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal: re-appointment of Chair.
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, proposed the re-appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as Chair of the Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal for a four-year term.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister's proposition with 46 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 2 hours and 29 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.77 Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal: re-appointment of Chair.
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, proposed the re-appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as the Chair of the Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal for a four-year term.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister's proposition with 45 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 2 hours and 34 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
P.78 Social Security Tribunal: re-appointment of Chair.
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, proposed the re-appointment of Advocate Simon Thomas as the Chair of the Social Security Tribunal for a four-year term.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister's proposition with 46 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
You can view how Members voted on our website.
Skip to 2 hours and 36 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the debate in full.
Adjournment
The States Assembly then adjourned and will reconvene at 9:30am on Tuesday 25 November.
