Machinery of Government PPC Sub-Committee - 17 October 2025

5 2nd Meeting 17.10.2025

Privileges and Procedures Committee Machinery of Government Sub-Committee (2nd Meeting)

17th October 2025

 Part A (Non-Exempt)

All members were present, with the exception of Deputies T.A. Coles of St. Helier South , Chair, and M.R. Scott of St. Brelade , from whom apologies had been received.

Deputy H.L. Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity , Vice Chair Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central

Deputy R.L. Kovacs of St. Saviour

Deputy K.L. Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

In attendance –

Y.   Fillieul ,  Assistant  Greffier  of  the  States,  Chamber  and  Members' Support, 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 of 19th September 2025, having previously been

circulated, were taken as read and were confirmed.

Democratic  A2. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A4 of the 19th September Accountability  2025, noted correspondence addressed to Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and  and St. Peter , Chief Minister, from Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South , Chair, in Governance  connexion with the Democratic Accountability and Governance Sub-Committee's Sub- (DAGS) recommendation regarding the structure of the Cabinet Office (R.23/2022 Committee  refers).

Recommendati

ons.  It was recalled that the Sub-Committee had received correspondence from the Chief

Minister, dated 15th September 2025, in connexion with DAGS recommendation No. 2, which related to the creation of a Cabinet Office function by means of merging  the  Ministerial  Support  Unit  and  the  Strategic  Policy,  Planning  and Performance Department. The Chief Minister had advised that the Cabinet Office operated  within  established  legal  parameters,  ensuring  consistent  support  for Ministers  and  that  these  arrangements  promoted  strong  lines  of  political accountability. The Sub-Committee had decided to seek further detailed information from  the  Chief  Minister  in  respect  of  the  statutory  protections  and  lines  of accountability which related to the services provided to Ministers by the Cabinet Office.

The Sub-Committee noted that a response had yet to be received from the Chief Minister and requested that a reminder be sent.

6 2nd Meeting 17.10.2025

Lobbying  A3. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A5 of 19th September Guidance and  2025, received a briefing document on the proposed Lobbying Law and Register and Engagement  heard from Mr. Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier of the States, Chamber and Members' Code.  Support, States Greffe in this connexion.

It was recalled that the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) had expressed reservations with regard to the original proposal for a Lobbying Law and Register. Consequently,  the  Sub-Committee  had  developed  Lobbying  Guidance  and  an Engagement Code, as opposed to formal legislation. It was noted that the document had been updated in response to comments made by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade in the context of the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018.

The Sub-Committee was advised that further clarification was required with regard to the definition of a lobbyist and consultation with the European Union Commission Lobby Register to determine international best practice was suggested. To further define  the  role  of  the  lobbyist,  examples  could  be  sourced  from  comparative jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, Scotland and smaller Australian State and local Governments.

Ultimately,  the  Sub-Committee  concluded  that  lobbyists  could  be  defined  as individuals acting on behalf of a lobbying group seeking to influence government. It was clarified that individuals acting on their own behalf could not be classified as lobbyists and that any issues raised on an individual basis could be referred to constituency offices. It was noted that the Guidance and Engagement Code would create transparency and an audit trail.

The Sub-Committee requested that amendments to the documents be made in line with its discussions for consideration at the next scheduled meeting.

Role profiles  A4. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A6 of 19th September for elected  2025, received an oral update from Mr. Y. Fillieul , Assistant Greffier of the States, Members.  Chamber and Members' Support, States Greffe.

It was recalled that questions had arisen in connexion with the role of Connétable s, and whether they were required to vote in the States Assembly in line with the majority view of parishioners. Additionally, the question of whether Connétable s were  required  to  adhere  to  States  Assembly  decisions  within  their  respective Parishes had also been raised.

The Assistant Greffier advised that under the Connétable s (Jersey) Law 2008 and the States of Jersey Law 2005, Connétable s were elected by Parish residents to act as the head of the Parish. Whilst Connétable s and Parishes were required to comply with the laws of the Island, there was no legal requirement for them to adhere to other States Assembly decisions, specifically decisions that related to parochial matters, such as waste collection and recycling. However, it was acknowledged that there was an expectation that all States Members would adhere to States Assembly decisions.

It was noted that a Scrutiny Panel had been established to examine how the Parishes and the Government of Jersey worked together to provide effective community services. The Sub-Committee requested that correspondence be drafted for the attention of Deputy H.M. Miles of St. Brelade , Chair of the Panel, to ascertain whether the review would consider the position of Connétable s in the context of compliance with States Assembly decisions.

2nd Meeting 17.10.2025

To ensure clarity within the Role Profiles document, the Sub-Committee requested that the responsibilities for Deputies, Connétable and Senators be reviewed in connexion with parish, constituency and Island-wide responsibilities.

Work  A5. The Sub-Committee, with reference to its Minute No. A7 of 19th September Programme.  2025,  noted  the  ongoing  work  programme,  which  was  informed  by

recommendations set out in the final report of the Democratic Accountability and Governance Sub-Committee (R.23/2022 referred).

Date of Next  A6.  The  Sub-Committee  noted  that  the  next  meeting  would  be  held  on  21st Meeting.  November 2025, from 11.00 am – 12.30 pm in the Le Capelain Room, States

Building.