PPC Sub-Committee: Diversity Forum - 16 October 2025

Privileges and Procedures Committee Diversity Forum

(2nd Meeting)

16th October 2025

Part A (Non-Exempt)

All members were present, with the exception of Connétable M.O'D Troy of St. Clement and Deputies H.L. Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity , Vice Chair and P.F.C. Ozouf of St. Saviour , 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 , Co-Vice Chair

Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour

Deputy R.L Kovacs of St. Saviour

Deputy H.M. Miles of St. Brelade

Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North

In attendance -

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

J. Hales , Research and Panels 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 18th September 2025, having previously been

circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed, subject to a minor amendment.

Government  A2. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A4 of 18th September 2025, diversity,  received an oral update from Deputy M.R. Ferey of St. Saviour , Assistant Chief equity and  Minister, regarding the ongoing work of the Government of Jersey (GoJ), in connexion inclusion  with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

work:

update.  The following outcomes were noted –

- the  implementation  of  equality  impact  evaluations  (EIAs)  was  an  ongoing workstream which underpinned GoJ's commitment to inclusion and equality within decision-making processes. It was acknowledged that whilst EIAs were yet to be a formally embedded as a requirement, GoJ were actively striving to consider protected  characteristics  under  the  Discrimination  (Jersey)  Law  2013,  when developing and reviewing policy; and

- an update was provided in connexion with an oral question from Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Health and Social  Services  on  8th  July  2025,  regarding  the  diagnosis,  treatment  and management of endometriosis (OQ.165/2025 refers). Deputy Ferey informed the Sub-Committee that GoJ recognised the importance of women's health and that steps were being taken to ensure  adequate support was in place for female employees. It was further noted that GoJ had signed the 51 Employers' Pledge' in May 2022 and had made adjustments to facilitate a menopause-friendly' workplace. Resources such as the Menopause Café', bi-monthly peer support sessions and a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel, were in place to support employees. It was acknowledged that following the next scheduled meeting of the SEB, this information would be cascaded to all GoJ managers to highlight the support available to women.

On a related matter, Deputy Stephenson noted a written question submitted to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning on 1st April 2025, regarding access to fertility  treatments  for  teachers  and  teaching  assistants  during  term  time (WQ.146/2025 refers). It was noted that Article 7.2.3. of the States of Jersey (SoJ) Managing  Attendance  Policy'  acknowledged  that  fertility  treatments  could  not always be undertaken outside of term time and granted discretion for one cycle of fertility treatment to be undertaken as paid sick leave. Members commended this policy and suggested that awareness of the same should be raised. Deputy Ferey undertook to discuss this with the States Employment Board and agreed to provide an update to the Sub-Committee in due course.

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour queried whether the ongoing GoJ Attendance Matters' initiative viewed absence through a gender-sensitive lens, noting gender- specific social and health factors. The Sub-Committee was assured that the initiative sought to provide support for those returning to work following a period of absence and that the Bradford Factor' assessment tool currently in place was utilised to measure and manage employee absenteeism.

The Sub-Committee thanked Deputy Ferey for the update.

Owner  Action

Deputy Ferey  To discuss the visibility of article 7.2.3.

of the SoJ Managing Attendance Policy with SEB at its next meeting.

Women's  A3. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A6 of 18th September 2025, Parliamen- received and considered draft Terms of Reference (ToR) in connexion with the tary Caucus.  proposed Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC).

It was recalled that 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  ToR  and  scoping  document  which  would  establish  the  key objectives, operating procedures and outcomes of the group. Having considered the draft  ToR  in  September  2025,  the  Sub-Committee  had  agreed  a  number  of amendments and requested that the document be represented for further review.

The document provided insights into the overall vision and scope of the proposed WPC  and  set  out  the  draft  ToR,  which  illustrated  the  WPC  as  a  standalone, Parliamentary led forum, where female Parliamentarians could share the challenges associated with their roles. It was noted that formal meetings of the WPC would take place bi-annually, together with ad hoc informal gatherings and that the Diversity Forum Sub-Committee would be used as a conduit to feedback WPC activity to PPC.

2nd Meeting 16.10.2025

The ToR further suggested that a member of the Jersey Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) group provide timely updates on the work of the WPC to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive Committee with the aim of the WPC complementing the work of the CWP and CPA, respectively.

Having considered the matter, the Sub-Committee was minded to approve the draft ToR, subject to minor amendments and officers undertook to arrange for this to be presented to the PPC in due course.

Common- A4. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A7 of 18th September 2025, wealth  received and noted a report, dated October 2025, which outlined the status of the Parliament- recommendations made by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in ary Associat- connexion with the Gender Sensitive Parliament Self-Assessment Jersey report (the ion report.  CPA report).

It was recalled that the Sub-Committee, as previously constituted, had considered the recommendations arising from the CPA report in 2024, which followed an internal Gender Audit undertaken in 2019. Due to the complex and comprehensive list of recommendations made by the CPA, the Sub-Committee had decided to focus on certain recommendations. Recommendations which had not been progressed by the Sub-Committee  had  been  appropriately  delegated  to  the  Digital  and  Public Engagement Team, the Scrutiny Liaison Committee and the Greffier of the States (Minute Nos. A4 of 13th February 2025 and A5 of 13th March 2025 refer).

The  Sub-Committee  agreed  to  seek  updates  in  relation  to  progress  on  those recommendations which had been delegated, as detailed above.

The following discussions arose from the report –

Recommendation No. 9 – Designated Family Room

- it  was  recalled  that  this  recommendation  related  to  the  establishment  of  a designated family room in the States Building, equipped to meet caregiving needs. Discussions with the Greffier of the States in this connexion had revealed concerns in relation to security and safeguarding. As such, it had been suggested that an informal family-friendly room for ad hoc use might be preferable (Minute No. A5 of 13th March 2025 refers). It was agreed that further clarity on this should be sought from the Greffier, who was due to attend the next scheduled meeting of the Sub-Committee;

- with  reference  to  the  above  recommendation,  options  for  the  provision  of infrequent childcare in the States Building were explored, to include securing the services of childminders or establishing a creche facility for the children of elected Members. The Assistant Greffier of the States, Committees and Panels, States Greffe, highlighted the potential challenges associated with such aspirations and agreed to raise this matter with the Greffier; and

- in the context of Members' caring responsibilities, it was further noted that

correspondence had been sent to Mr. S. Cartwright, Chief Officer, Bailiff 's Chambers, from Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter , Chair, dated 3rd September 2025, in connexion with the attendance of Members' dependent children at events. The Sub-Committee had decided to request that consideration be given to the attendance of children at any official events that were  held  outside  of  term  time,  during  bank  holidays  or  on  weekends. Furthermore, it had been suggested that any lists used to assist with organising such events should be updated  to include  details of  Members'  spouses and dependent children. It was noted that a response was yet to be received from Mr. Cartwright, and officers undertook to follow-up on this matter.

On a related matter, it was acknowledged that the post-election training and induction programme was under review by the States Greffe, ahead of the 2026 public election. It was suggested that online calendar invitations for all induction events should be extended to returning Members to encourage attendance. The Sub-Committee also expressed a desire for the provision of compulsory safeguarding training as part of the induction programme, citing the recommendations and failings identified within the 2017 Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. It was noted that whilst safeguarding training was included within the programme and attendance was encouraged, it was not compulsory. The Assistant Greffier, Committees and Panels agreed to discuss the issues  raised  by  the  Sub-Committee  with  the  Assistant  Greffier,  Chamber  and Members' Support.

The Sub-Committee noted the position.

Owner  Action

Secretariat Officer  To obtain updates on the progress of the

delegated recommendations for consideration at the Sub-Committee's next scheduled meeting.

Assistant Greffier, Committees and  To discuss the delivery of childcare for Panels  States Members on an ad hoc basis with

the Greffier of the States.

Secretariat Officer  To seek a response from the Chief

Officer, Bailiff 's Chambers to correspondence from the Chair dated 3rd September 2025

Assistant Greffier, Committees and  To discuss the post-election induction Panels  programme with the Assistant Greffier,

Chamber and Members' Support.

LGBTQ+  A5. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A10 of 18th September Parliament- 2025,  received  an  oral  update  from   Deputy  L.M.C.   Doublet  of  St.  Saviour  in arians'  connexion  with  the  Commonwealth  Parliamentary  Association's  (CPA)  British Network.  Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Parliamentarians' network (the Network).

It was recalled that Deputy Doublet was a Member of the Network's Committee and had agreed to provide the Sub-Committee with relevant updates as a standing item on future agendas.

The Sub-Committee weas informed that Messrs. A. Price , Member of the Welsh Senedd and C. Santos, Member of the Gibraltar Parliament, had been elected as Chair

13 2nd Meeting 16.10.2025

and Vice Chair of the Network, respectively. The Terms of Reference for the Network had  also  recently  been  completed,  and  it  was  noted  that   Deputy   Doublet  had significantly contributed to the production of the same. A Network event was due to be held at Westminster on 24th November 2025, with 4 places available for elected Members to attend.

On a related matter, Deputy Doublet requested administrative support in creating and maintaining a central document repository for all papers related to the Network. The Assistant Greffier of the States, Committees and Panels undertook to raise this with officers who provided operational oversight for CPA matters.

The Sub-Committee thanked Deputy Doublet for the update.

Owner  Action

Assistant  Greffier,  Committees  and  To discuss the creation and maintenance Panels  of a central document repository for all

papers  related  to  the  Network  with relevant officers.  

Actions List.  A6. The Sub-Committee, with reference to Minute No. A3 of 13th March 2025, of the

Sub-Committee as previously constituted, noted the live actions list, which was regularly reviewed and revised.

The following actions arose from items on the actions list –

- that documents provided by Mr. L. Richardson, Property Maintenance Project Officer, Jersey Property Holdings, in connexion with the accessibility of the States Assembly Building, be tabled for consideration at the Sub-Committee's next scheduled meeting; and,

- with reference to Minute No. A5 of 18th September 2025, the Sub-Committee reiterated its interest in applying for funding from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Gender Strengthening Fund. It was recalled that funding could be sought by all Commonwealth Parliamentary Association branches and regions to promote the representation of women in political spaces. It was noted that applications for 2025 were due to close imminently, but that the Privileges and Procedures Committee might wish to consider seeking future funding for the proposed Women's Parliamentary Caucus.

Owner  Action

Secretariat Officer  To add documents in connexion with the

accessibility of the States Building to the next agenda.  

Corporate  A7. The Sub-Committee received an oral update from Deputy H.M. Miles of St. Services  Brelade, Chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (CSSP), in connexion with Scrutiny  the implementation of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) following a review Panel:  undertaken by the CSSP, entitled Review: Proposed Budget 2025 - 2028 Review – gender  Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel' (the review) (S.R.8/2024 refers).

responsive

budgeting.  It was noted that following the lodging of the Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2025-2028' (the Budget) (P.51/2024 refers), the CSSP had conducted an overarching

review of the Budget, which provided commentary on the implementation of GRB to ensure gender equality was reflected in monetary allocations. The review identified that, whilst Jersey was yet to adopt GRB as a formalised process, several existing initiatives within the Common Strategic Policy aligned with the goals of GRB, which demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity within the budgeting process. The CSSP endorsed the adoption of GRB in future budgets and encouraged the Chief Minister to explore the area further.

The  Sub-Committee  recognised  that  GRB  had  been  implemented  in  other jurisdictions,  such  as  Colombia,  Morocco  and  Austria,  where  Governments endeavoured to formulate budgets to cater for the diverse needs of all genders. It was noted that whilst the CSSP intended to commission a GRB expert to examine the 2026 Budget a suitable individual had yet to be identified. The Sub-Committee commended the work of the CSSP in striving for a gender-equitable distribution of resources and requested that Deputy Miles provide regular updates on the progress of the project.

On a related matter, Deputy Kovacs requested that forthcoming business which related to the workstreams of the Diversity Forum, be included on future agendas as a standing item.

Owner  Action

Secretariat Officer  To  add  forthcoming  business  which

related to the work of the Diversity Forum to future agendas.  

Date of next  A8. The Sub-Committee noted that the next scheduled meeting was due to be held on meeting.  20th November 2025, from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm in the Blampied Room.