PPC Sub-Committee: Diversity Forum - 12 June 2025

36 18th Meeting 12.06.2025

Privileges and Procedures Committee Diversity Forum

(18th Meeting)

12th June 2025

Part A (Non-Exempt)

All members were present, with the exception of Deputy H.L. Jeune of St. John , St.  Lawrence  and   Trinity ,  Vice  Chair,  and   Connétable  M.O.'D   Troy  of   St. Clement , from whom apologies had been received.

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter , Chair Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour , Vice Chair

Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour

Deputy R.L Kovacs of St. Saviour (for a time)

Deputy H.M. Miles of St. Brelade (for a time)

Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North

In attendance -

Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf of St. Saviour (for a time)

T. Oldham , Assistant Greffier of the States, Committees and Panels, States Greffe

J. Hales , Research and Project Officer, States Greffe

E. Patterson, Secretariat Officer, Specialist Secretariat, States Greffe

C. Tucker, Secretariat Officer, Specialist Secretariat, States Greffe

  Note:  The Minutes of this meeting comprise Part A only.

Minutes.  A1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 15th May 2025, having previously been

circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.

Appointm A2. Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter , Chair, noted that ent of   Deputy P.F.C. Ozouf of St. Saviour had expressed an interest in becoming a Member of Members.  the Sub-Committee. The importance of having a diverse range of voices amongst the Sub-

Committee was noted and it was subsequently agreed that Deputy Ozouf would be invited to all future meetings.

Matters  A3. The Sub-Committee noted the following matters arising from its meeting of 15th arising.  May 2025 –

- With reference to Minute No. A6, the Assistant Greffier of the States, Committees and  Panels,  provided the Sub-Committee  with  an  oral  update regarding Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) and the accessibility of the States Building (Minute No. A6 of 15th May 2025 refers).

It was recalled that, following a meeting with the Sub-Committee, JPH had been requested to produce a report outlining the recommendations from the 2018 Access Audit and the 2020 Accessibility Audit undertaken by Liberate (Minute No. A5 of

37

13th February 2025 refers). An informal response had been received from Mr. T. Daniels, Director, JPH, which outlined ongoing issues raised in the Audits and noted the lack of funds available for immediate amendments to the Grade One Listed building. However, the Sub-Committee had requested that correspondence be drafted to Mr. Daniels reiterating the need for a more comprehensive report.

The Assistant Greffier informed the Sub-Committee that, following a recent meeting with Mr. L. Richardson, Property Maintenance Project Officer, JPH, he had been assured that significant work was ongoing to produce a document which outlined all the recommended alterations from the Audits, rated Red, Amber and Green. The document also highlighted which recommendations were the responsibility of JPH, in its capacity as the building's landlord, and those assigned to the tenant. Therefore, it was agreed that correspondence to Mr. Daniels was no longer required, and the Sub-Committee requested that Mr. Richardson be invited to a future meeting to review the work undertaken and discuss this matter in greater depth.

Women's A4. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A3 of 15th May 2025, received Parliamen and noted a briefing paper in connexion with the establishment of a Women's tary Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) in Jersey.

Caucus.

It was recalled that an invitation had been extended to all female States Members to complete a WPC training course delivered by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in January 2025, of which several female Members had undertaken to complete. The establishment of the proposed WPC had been reviewed by the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC), who had suggested that the Sub-Committee draft a terms of reference and scoping document for the WPC which would establish the key objectives, operating procedures and outcomes of the group. Subsequently, it had been agreed that the next scheduled Sub-Committee meeting would be dedicated to the discussion and formation of this terms of reference and objectives of the WPC, which would then be presented to PPC for review.

The Sub-Committee noted the structure of WPCs across other jurisdictions, including Wales, Grenada, and Westminster, which provided insight into the necessary considerations to embed a WPC structure within Jersey's political system. There was a consensus amongst the Sub-Committee that the WPC should bring female parliamentarians together to promote and support women's participation in politics and to strengthen the impact of women in political life. It was further noted that the establishment of the WPC would be attractive for prospective female members and may encourage more women to stand in the 2026 public Election.

Whilst it was agreed that the WPC would be comprised of female parliamentarians, the Sub-Committee was mindful of concerns regarding the WPC becoming a politicised forum. Therefore, it was noted that the WPC would not be an appropriate space to extensively discuss the formation of policy or existing legislation. Similarly, the Sub- Committee expressed concern that in a politicised forum, there may be pressures on WPC members to possess certain political perspectives and that this could hinder the cohesion and rapport amongst the cohort. Subsequently, it was agreed that, in forming the WPC, measures would need to be taken to ensure the forum's intended outcomes pertained to the broader support of women's participation in politics.

Having discussed the matter further, the following was agreed in terms of forming the terms of reference for the WPC –

- the Chairing structure and arrangements were yet to be confirmed, but it was agreed

18th Meeting 12.06.2025

that the WPC would be led by a serving female States Member;

- formal meetings would take place bi-annually, with set agenda items and formal Minutes. Informal meetings of the WPC would take place more frequently throughout the year;

- female members from previous iterations of the States Assembly would be invited to special events related to the WPC;

- due to the concerns raised regarding the WPC becoming politicised, it was agreed that measures would need to be taken to mitigate this. Therefore, the WPC would be framed as a forum for female parliamentarians and a safe space to share challenges associated with being a woman in the political sphere;

- guest speakers with relevant backgrounds and experiences would be invited to formal meetings of the WPC; and

- the WPC would aim to complement the work of the CPA and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians.

It was agreed that officers would produce a draft terms of reference document using the above steer from the Sub-Committee and would subsequently share this for review. It was envisaged that, if approved by PPC, the WPC would have its first meeting by the end of 2025.

Date of  A5. The Sub-Committee noted that its next scheduled meeting was due to be held on 17th next  July 2025, from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, in the Blampied Room.

meeting.