States Minutes 9 December 2025

Published on: 9 December 2025

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THE STATES assembled on Tuesday 9th December 2025, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Robert James MacRae , Esquire.

__________________

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,
Vice-Admiral Jeremy Paul Kyd, C.B.E. was present. __________________

All members were present at roll call with the exception of –

Connétable Deidre Wendy Mezbourian of St. Lawrence – ill

Connétable Richard Vibert of St. Peter – en défaut

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone of St. Martin – ill

Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – suspended

Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.55 a.m.)

__________________

Prayers

__________________

Standing Order 55A – remote participation

THE STATES, with reference to their Act dated 14th September 2021, in which they had agreed that, notwithstanding Standing Order 55A(1), Members who did not wish to attend in the States Chamber might continue to take part in States meetings using Microsoft Teams (until the States had considered and voted upon a proposition to re-apply Standing Order 55A(1) or to repeal or vary the terms of the Standing Order), assembled in accordance with Standing Order 55A with Members able to participate remotely using Microsoft Teams. The following Members attended remotely, either for all or part of the meeting –

Connétable Philip Bond Le Sueur of Trinity

Deputy Lucy Kate Frances Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Documents presented

Commissioner for Standards investigations. R.173/2025. Presented: 9th December 2025, Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 P.70/2025

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025), as amended, resumed consideration of the amendment the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(32)), and, adopting the amendment, agreed that in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words " Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report ", there should be inserted the words –

", except that in Table 5(i) the Departmental Head of Expenditure for the Environment should be increased by £656,000, with any consequential amendments to be reflected as necessary throughout the Budget."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 44 CONTRE: 1 ABSTAINED: 0 Connétable of St. Helier Deputy M.B. Andrews

Connétable of St. Brelade

Connétable of Trinity

Connétable of St. John

Connétable of St. Clement

Connétable of Grouville

Connétable of St. Ouen

Connétable of St. Mary

Connétable of St. Saviour

Deputy G.P. Southern

Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée

Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement (P.70/2025 Amd.(30)), and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.70/2025 Amd.(30).Amd.), agreed that, after the words "provided that no", there should be inserted the words "more than 10% of the total funding allocated to the"; and, after the words "Agricultural Loans", there should be inserted the word "Fund".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 28

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

CONTRE: 13

Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 3

Deputy S.G. Luce Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy H.L. Jeune

THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement , as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (b)(vi), after the words "in excess of estimates provided in this plan", there should be inserted the words ", provided that no more than 10% of the total funding allocated to the Agricultural Loans Fund are to be given for the purpose of supporting the cultivation in Jersey of cannabis-based products for medicinal use".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 39

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy M. Tadier Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

CONTRE: 4

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy T.A. Coles Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 2

Deputy S.G. Luce Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and rejected an amendment of Deputy Lucy Kate Frances Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter (P.70/2025 Amd.(8)), that –

in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and 5(ii) of the Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, in Summary Table 5(i) the Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office should be reduced by £350,000 and the Head of Expenditure for Education and Lifelong Learning should be increased by £350,000 to support a pilot project for the introduction of an additional sport and Physical Education component within Jersey Premium funding to run in 2026, with the same amount of funding to be made available in 2027"; and

in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "Appendix to the accompanying Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, on page 42, Table 9 – Revenue Heads of Expenditure should be amended to reduce the Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office by £350,000 for each of 2026 and 2027, and increase the Head of Expenditure for Education and Lifelong by £350,000 for each of 2026 and 2027, to support a pilot project for the introduction of an additional sport and Physical Education component within Jersey Premium funding to run in 2026 and 2027".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 11

Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Deputy L.M.C. Doublet

CONTRE: 32

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity

ABSTAINED: 1 Connétable of St. Clement

Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern

Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(31)), and rejected an amendment of Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement (P.70/2025 Amd.(31).Amd.) that, in part 1, for the figure "£250,000" there should be substituted the figure "£25,000" and, after the words "empty residential properties", there should be inserted the words ", such policy to be developed in-house with funding available for minor external input only if required".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 16 CONTRE: 27 ABSTAINED: 0

Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis

Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Clement Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES resumed consideration of the amendment of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(31)) and, adopting an amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.70/2025 Amd.(31).Amd.(2)), agreed that, in paragraph (b)(viii), the words "£250,000 of" should be substituted with "within"; the words "should be reserved as a ring-fenced budget line" should be substituted with ", resources should be made available"; and ", with this funding not to be drawn from the existing Housing budget within the Cabinet Office Head of Expenditure." should be substituted with "should it be required."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 40 CONTRE: 4 ABSTAINED: 0

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

THE STATES, adopting the amendment of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Table 5(i) and (ii) of the Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, in "Summary Table 5(i) – Revenue Heads of Expenditure", within the Cabinet Office Head of Expenditure for 2026 resources should be made available for the development of policy mechanisms to address empty residential properties, should it be required."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 41 CONTRE: 3 ABSTAINED: 0

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy M.B. Andrews

Deputy A. Howell Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward Deputy K.M. Wilson

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and rejected an amendment of Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter (P.70/2025 Amd.(35)), that –

in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that in Summary Table 5(i) –

the head of expenditure entitled Health and Care Jersey should be reduced by £57,207,000;
the head of expenditure entitled Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture should be reduced by £5,700,000; and
the head of expenditure entitled Treasury and Exchequer should be reduced by £26,607,000,

to maintain net revenue expenditure at 2025 levels for 2026, with any consequential amendments to be reflected as necessary throughout the Budget"; and

in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 42, in Table 9 – Revenue Heads of Expenditure –

the head of expenditure entitled Health and Care Jersey should be reduced by £57,207,000 for each of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029;
the head of expenditure entitled Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture should be reduced by £5,700,000 for each of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029; and
the head of expenditure entitled Treasury and Exchequer should be reduced by £26,607,000 for each of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 2

Connétable of St. Brelade Deputy K.L. Moore

CONTRE: 40

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

ABSTAINED: 1 Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting an amendment of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(23)), agreed that, in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words "as set out in the Appendix 2 – Summary Tables (5)(i) and (ii) of the Report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that, in Summary Table 5(i), the head of expenditure for "Health and Care Jersey" shall be reduced by £240,000 and the head of expenditure entitled "States of Jersey Police" shall be increased by £240,000".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 36

Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves Deputy I. Gardiner

CONTRE: 5

Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 1 Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and rejected an amendment of Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North (P.70/2025 Amd.(22)) that –

in paragraph (b)(viii), after the words "Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that –

(a) in Summary Table 5(i), the head of expenditure for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport

& Culture should be reduced by £200,000, such funding to be allocated from the budget for Arts, Heritage and Culture; and

(b) in Summary Table 5(ii), within the section entitled Infrastructure, there should be inserted a new row entitled "Victoria Marine Lake – Repair" with an allocation of £400,000 for 2026, and a decrease of £200,000 to the row entitled Infrastructure Rolling Vote and Public Realm"; and

in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 60, after the words "to revitalise St. Helier ." there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"The Budget allocates £400,000 for 2026 to provide funding for the specific repair for the Victoria Marine Lake, £200,000 of the funding required to be allocated from the funding for Arts, Culture and Heritage and £200,000 from the Infrastructure Rolling Vote. The Minister for Treasury and Resources will request funding from the States of Jersey Development Company of a further £200,000 to support the repairs in addition to the Government funding. Going forward the Marine Lake will be allocated up to £60,000 per year from the Head of Expenditure for Infrastructure. During 2026 the Minister for Infrastructure will also seek expressions of interest from operators for the site."".

with any consequential amendments to be reflected as necessary throughout the Budget". Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 2 CONTRE: 41 ABSTAINED: 2

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy I. Gardiner

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern

Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Deputy D.J. Warr Deputy K.M. Wilson

Arrangement of Public Business for the Present Meeting

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the Chair of the Comité des Connétable s had informed the Greffier of the States that the amendment of the Comité to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) had been withdrawn.

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade , agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 80, to suspend Standing Order 32 in order that his amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(33).Amd.) to his amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(33) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) might be listed for consideration at the present meeting; and further agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of the same proposition in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 P.70/2025

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025), as amended, commenced consideration of an amendment of Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement (P.70/2025 Amd.(28)).

Adjournment

THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Wednesday 10th December 2025 in order to continue consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025), as amended, and the other outstanding items of public business.

THE STATES rose at 5.24 p.m.

L.-M. HART Greffier of the States