PPC Minutes (Part A) - 7th July 2025
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172
Privileges and Procedures Committee (41st Meeting)
7th July 2025
Part A (Non-Exempt)
All members were present.
Deputy C. S. Alves of St. Helier Central , Vice Chair
Deputy L. K. F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade
Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South
Deputy S.M. Ahier of St. Helier North
Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour
In attendance -
W. Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States
Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier of the States, Chamber and Members' Support
- Siddall, Research and Project Officer, Members' Resources
- Tucker, Secretariat Officer, Specialist Secretariat
K.M. Larbalestier, Principal Secretariat Officer, Specialist Secretariat
Note: The Minutes of this meeting comprise Parts A and B.
Minutes. A1. The Minutes of the meetings held on 16th, 23rd and 24th June 2025, having
previously been circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.
Connétable K. A2. The Committee noted that, following the resignation of Connétable K. Shenton- Shenton-Stone , Stone as Chair of the Committee, a new Chair would be selected at the States Chair: Meeting on 8th July 2025, with the reconstitution of the Committee to follow. resignation
from PPC. In recognition of Connétable Shenton-Stone 's contribution as the former Chair of
the Committee, Members requested that their appreciation be placed on record.
Action list: A3. The Committee noted the actions and outcomes arising from previous meetings. Privileges and
Procedures
Committee.
Minutes and A4. The Committee noted the Minutes of the meetings of the various Sub- action lists: Committees of the Privileges and Procedures Committee and the actions and Privileges and outcomes arising from the same.
Procedures
Sub- The Committee noted that, following the appointment of the re-constituted Committees. Privileges and Procedures Committee at the States Meeting on 8th July 2025, the
States Greffe would make arrangements for the Committee to meet the following week to select the Chairs of the various Sub-Committees (and consider any other matters arising). Thereafter, the Committee would be requested to ratify the membership of the Sub-Committees.
Draft Elections A5. The Committee considered the draft Elections (Senators) (Jersey) amendment
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(Senators) Law 202-, which amended the constitution of the States to provide for the election (Jersey) of Senators.
amendment
Law 202-. The Committee recalled that, following the adoption of P.2/2025 – Re-instatement
of Senators, work had commenced on the draft legislation. Sweeping changes to the Elections (Jersey) Law 2002 in 2021 had resulted in a complex drafting process and the level of detail contained within the draft legislation was noted. Many of the Articles of the draft Law were intrinsic to the practical application of the same and a cautious approach to amendments to the draft legislation would be required. It was noted that the Greffier of the States would be contacting Members to advise them of the deadline for lodging amendments, with attention being drawn to the August bank holiday.
The Committee noted that Supplementary Regulations would be prepared in due course and these would bring together the various related legislative strands.
The Committee approved the draft legislation and requested that the Greffier of the States make the necessary arrangements for it to be lodged au Greffe'. It was recognised that the newly constituted Committee would need to meet before the debate and it was agreed that the Legislative Drafter should be invited to attend to advise on the implications of any amendments.
The Committee requested that its appreciation for the work undertaken by the Legislative Drafter in connexion with the draft Law be placed on record.
Risk-based A6. The Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A6 of 16th June 2025, exclusion received Mr. Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier of the States, Chamber and Members policy. Support and Ms. B. Siddall, Research and Project Officer, Members' Resources, and
considered a report in connexion with the development of a risk-based exclusion policy.
The Committee recalled that it had approved the draft policy in principle, subject to consideration of the inclusion of domestic abuse within the list of offences which warranted exclusion, as proposed by Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour . Upon final approval of the policy it would be circulated to all States Members and a briefing arranged. It was noted that the policy would also have to be considered in the context of the Codes of Conduct and Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers (R.31/2024 refers).
The Committee reviewed the updated policy and noted the revisions to reflect the inclusion of the above.
The Committee approved the policy in principle and endorsed the recommendation of Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour that staff also be consulted in relation to the policy framework. It was agreed that the draft policy should be circulated as soon as possible, with a briefing to follow in September 2025.
The Committee noted that under the House of Commons risk based exclusion policy, a risk assessment was undertaken by a panel of MPs appointed by the Speaker. Whilst such an approach was not proposed in Jersey, it was suggested that the newly constituted Committee might wish to review arrangements.
On a related matter, Deputy Doublet asked how policy breaches would be dealt with. By way of example, the Deputy asked whether attempts by a Member who was excluded in accordance with the draft policy to access the parliamentary estate would constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct. The Deputy Greffier advised that
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such action would likely constitute a breach of the Code but undertook to clarify the position. Deputy Doublet also suggested that the newly constituted Committee should consider how best to address lower level behavioural issues' which were not covered by the draft policy. In this connexion the Committee was reminded of the breadth of the draft revised Code of Conduct for Elected Members, which had yet to be formally adopted by the States.
Scrutiny A7. The Committee heard from Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour , in her Liaison capacity as the Scrutiny Liaison Committee (SLC) representative, who advised that Committee the SLC wished to be updated on progress in relation to the following matters – matters.
the approach to the management of correspondence addressed to all States Members, with particular regard to the information contained on the States Assembly website
It was noted that work on the States Assembly website had been undertaken to facilitate a more targeted approach and that Members official responsibilities could also be made clearer with some technical adaptations. However, it was acknowledged that members of the public might also wish to contact Members other than those with official responsibility for specific subject areas. Deputy Doublet suggested that the default option to contact all States Members be disabled to ensure a more targeted approach and avoid multiple Members responding to the same message.
The Deputy Greffier of the States undertook to prepare a report on the above matter for the new Committee.
the ability to comment on social media posts pertaining to scrutiny related matters
Deputy Doublet advised that she was aware of ongoing issues in relation to comments on posts. The Deputy Greffier of the States undertook to ascertain the position.
the inclusion of any propositions/amendments/reports that Members had been involved in bringing forward in their capacity as members of a Committee/Panel or as an Assistant Minister on activity records on the States Assembly website
It was recalled that the Committee had considered the above matter at its meeting on 2nd June 2025 (Minute No. A6 refers) and had not been supportive of the above proposal. The SLC had been advised of this in a letter from the former Chair. The Deputy Greffier of the States had subsequently attended a meeting of the SLC to discuss the matter with Members.
The Committee recalled that, at present, official parliamentary business brought forward by a Committee/Panel appeared on the website under the name of the relevant body, and not individual members of that body. The request from SLC had been considered from a procedural perspective and it was noted that the current practice aligned with Standing Orders 19 and 35, which related to the lodging of propositions or amendments/the presentation of reports or comments by Ministers. Whilst the States of Jersey Law 2005 afforded Ministers the opportunity of delegating authority to Assistant Ministers for specific areas of responsibility, official business was lodged/presented in the name of the Minister. Similarly, Standing Orders did not provide for the lodging/presentation of official business by Scrutiny Panel/Committee Chairs and official business was progressed in the name of the relevant Panel/Committee. Deputy Doublet stated that the approach to the
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inclusion of such information on the website was inconsistent and the Deputy Greffier advised that this was as a result of technical and administrative errors that were being addressed.
It was noted that the Deputy Greffier would prepare a further report on the matter for consideration by the newly constituted Committee.
Provision of A8. The Committee received an oral report from Deputy L.M.C Doublet of St. pastoral Saviour in which she proposed that consideration be given to the provision of a mentor for pastoral mentor for Elected Members.
States
Members. Deputy Doublet advised that a dedicated pastoral mentor could provide guidance
and support, focusing on the well-being and ethical conduct of Members. The role would involve fostering personal and professional development, promoting ethical decision-making, and offering a confidential space for reflection and support. Deputy Doublet informed the Committee that she had been made aware of the support which was in place for Members in other jurisdictions and cited Canada by way of example where parliamentarians had access to a counsellor and a psychiatrist.
The Committee discussed the matter and noted that it was understood that Elected Members could access resources which were available to public servants and coaching and counselling services were also available for States Members. Some discussion followed regarding the existing service provision and it was suggested that feedback and data on uptake might be informative, albeit that the need to respect privacy was recognised.
It was agreed that a report should be prepared for consideration by the newly constituted Committee in connexion with the above. In the meantime, the Committee requested that information on all services available to Members be recirculated. Deputy Doublet also suggested that posters containing this information could be displayed. She also asked whether States Members could be offered the opportunity to undertake mental health first aid training. Some discussion followed regarding the provision of support to Members who were not re-elected and whether they could still access services for States Members. Whilst it was noted that this was unlikely, signposting to appropriate services was possible. Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade suggested that the Dean of Jersey could also provide support.
Date of next A9. The Committee noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 8th meeting. September 2025, at 10.00 am in the Blampied Room, States Building.
It was recalled that additional meetings would be arranged following the reconstitution of the Committee to approve the appointment of the Chairs of the various Sub-Committees of the Privileges and Procedures Committee and to consider any amendments to the Draft Elections (Senators) (Jersey) amendment Law 202- prior to the debate.