PPC Minutes (Part A) - 16th July 2026

Privileges and Procedures Committee (1st Meeting)

16th July 2026

Part A (Non-Exempt)

All members were present.

Deputy C. S. Alves of St. Helier Central , Chair

Senator S.M. Kersten (for a time)

Connétable A.N. Jehan of St. John

Deputy T.A. Coles of St. Helier South

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour

Deputy K.M. Wilson of St. Clement (for a time)

Deputy K.F. Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity (for a time)

In attendance -

L-M. Hart , Greffier of the States

W. Millow , Deputy Greffier of the States

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

H. Esnouf, Assistant Secretariat Officer, Specialist Secretariat, States Greffe

Note:  The Minutes of this meeting comprise Parts A and B.

Privileges and  A1. Deputy C.S. Alves of St. Helier Central , Chair, welcomed Members to the Procedures  inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Privileges and Procedures Committee. Committee:

overview of  Attention was drawn to Standing Orders 127 – 130, which set out the Committee's remit.  constitution, terms of reference, terms of office and proceedings. The Committee

noted  that it  was  obliged  to  maintain those  Sub-Committees  which  had  been established under Standing Orders (the Machinery of Government, Diversity Forum, and Political Awareness and Education Sub-Committees), and that these would require reconstitution.

The Committee noted its responsibility under Standing Order 129 (a) to bring forward amendments to Standing Orders, as appropriate, and discussed the recent confusion arising from the appointment of States Commissioners to the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (JOAC). It was noted Members had been asked to submit nominations for the States Commissioner roles at a recent meeting of the States Assembly. However, responsibility for this lay with the Minister for International Development in her capacity as chair of the JOAC, as outlined in Article 7.2 of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (Jersey) Law 2005. Having considered the matter, the Committee agreed that the Standing Orders relating to the appointment of JOAC States Commissioners should be reviewed as part of a planned wider review of all of the Standing Orders. .

Legacy Report.  A2.   The  Committee  considered  the  Legacy  Report  for  2022  –  2026  of  the

Committee, as previously constituted (R.92/2026 refers) and heard from Deputy C.S. Alves of St. Helier Central , Chair, in connexion with the same.

The Committee noted that the work undertaken by the Committee as previously constituted had included propositions relating to the reintroduction of the role of Senator,  legislative  amendments  to  enable  Automatic  Voter  Registration,  the introduction of additional office space for Members in Hill Street and revisions to the Code of Conduct for Elected Members. Suggested future workstreams were also noted and the following items were discussed in detail –

Review of Election legislation  

The Committee noted that it would receive reports on the 2026 public election from the  Jersey  Electoral  Authority  (JEA),  the  Commonwealth  Parliamentary Association's  Electoral  Observers'  Mission  and  the  Electoral  Administrators. Deputy Alves suggested the establishment of a sub-committee to consider the content of the reports and identify any electoral reforms, as required.

On a related matter, the Committee discussed the publication of electoral candidates' expenses declarations. The Committee was advised that the JEA's audit of the expense forms was ongoing and that expenses were expected to be published on completion of the audit. Having considered the matter, the Committee concluded that publication of expenses should not be dependent on completion of the audit and requested that the Greffier of the States inform the JEA of its view on this matter.

Review of Standing Orders relating to Breaches of the Code of Conduct for States Members

The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A1 of 20th November 2025 of the Committee, as previously constituted, noted that it was obliged to undertake a review of Standing Orders in relation to breaches of the Code of Conduct, and to present a report to the States no later than 31st December 2026 (P.101/2025 refers). It was further noted that whilst the Code of Conduct had recently been updated (R.23/2026 refers), further amendments could be proposed where appropriate.

It was recognised that the Committee, as previously constituted, had commenced the aforementioned review, which included disqualifications and recall mechanisms and had instructed the States Greffe to undertake a benchmarking exercise against other legislatures to establish best practice. It was noted that the findings of the review would be presented to the Committee for consideration in due course.

Following discussion, it was agreed to invite the Commissioner for Standards to the next scheduled meeting to receive feedback on her work during the previous political term and comparisons with other jurisdictions to support the Committee's review of the Code of Conduct.

Use of the States Building

The Committee noted that a security review of the States Building was due to be undertaken and that an update had been requested the previous week by the Greffier of the States from the Bailiff 's Chambers in connexion with the same, but there had been no response. It was agreed that a letter should be drafted from the Chair to the Bailiff  to  ensure  that  the  requirements  of  States  Members  were  given  due consideration within the security review when it commenced.

Remote Participation

The Committee agreed to monitor the use of remote participation at States Meetings and defer consideration of any amendments to these arrangements until later in the political term.

On a related matter, the Committee discussed how the attendance of States Members was recorded in instances where Members could only attend for part of a sitting. It

3 1st Meeting 16.07.2026

was noted that the existing process allowed for reasons for absence to be declared during the morning roll call, which inherently disadvantaged those who could not be present during afternoon sessions due to health issues or caring responsibilities. The potential value of an afternoon roll call in accommodating Members' changing needs during a sitting was noted and the Committee agreed to consider this matter further at a future meeting.

Draft Public  A3. The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A4 of 9th March 2026 of the Finances Law  Committee as previously constituted, reviewed a draft proposition in the name of (States Funds)  Senator A.J.H.M. Maclean , Minister for Treasury and Resources, to amend the (Jersey)  Standing Orders of the States of Jersey in conjunction with the Draft Public Finances Amendment  Law  (States  Funds)  (Jersey)  Amendment  Regulations  202-  (P.24/2026 refers). Regulations  Comments presented to the States on 19th March 2026 by the Committee as 202-  previously constituted were also noted, in connexion with the same.

(P.24/2026):

draft  It was recalled that P.24/2026 – Draft Public Finances Law (States Funds) (Jersey) comments.  Amendment Regulations 202- had been lodged au Greffe' on 4th February 2026 by

the  former  Minister  for  Treasury  and  Resources  and  sought  to  rename  the Government Plan' as the Budget' and to replace the Consolidated Fund with 2 new funds: the General Revenue Fund and the Jersey Capital Investment Fund. Subject to enactment of the draft Law, the corresponding Standing Orders would require amendment to reflect the updated terminology.

The Committee considered the matter and concluded that the proposition to amend the Standing Orders should be lodged in the name of the Privileges and Procedures Committee and requested that the necessary action be taken to facilitate the same.

On a related matter, the Committee agreed that the review of the Standing Orders should seek to introduce greater flexibility in the language used to avoid the need for frequent amendments going forward.

Appointment  A4. The Committee considered the appointment of the Chairs of the various Sub- of Sub- Committees established under Standing Orders.

Committee

Chairs.  It was recalled that the Committee was obliged under Standing Orders to maintain

the  Machinery  of  Government,  Diversity  Forum  and  Political  Awareness  and Education  Sub-Committees,  and  that  these  would need to  be  reconstituted.  A Pensions Sub-Committee, whilst not established under Standing Orders, had also been established by the Committee, as previously constituted.

It  was  noted  that  the  Sub-Committee  Chairs  were  usually  selected  from  the membership of the main Committee to enable a direct channel for communication. The Committee considered whether a Pensions Sub-Committee was required and agreed to consider alternative options, such as direct reporting by the actuaries to the main Committee.

It was agreed to appoint Senator S.M. Kersten as Chair of the Diversity Forum Sub- Committee. The Chairs of the remaining Sub-Committees would be confirmed in due course.

Privileges and  A5. The Committee noted a schedule of monthly meetings proposed for the Procedures  remainder of 2026, all of which commenced at 9.30 am on Monday mornings. Committee:

schedule of  The Committee agreed that meetings should commence at 12.30 p.m. on Mondays meetings.  to avoid conflicts with other commitments.

It was noted that updated electronic calendar invitations would be circulated to all Members.

States  A6. The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A5 of 15th July 2025, of the Assembly  Committee,  as  previously constituted,  received a draft report proposing States meeting dates  Assembly meeting dates for the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028. – 2027 and 2028.  It was recalled that the Committee, as previously constituted, had already set dates

for States meetings during the first half of 2027.

The Committee approved the proposed dates for meetings of the States for the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028 and requested that the report be presented to the States. It was noted that all proposed dates took account of published school holiday dates to accommodate Members with childcare responsibilities.

Coaching and  A7. The Committee, with reference to Minute No. A2 of 9th March 2026 of the counselling  Committee  as previously constituted,  discussed  the provision of  coaching and services for  counselling for current and former States Members.

States

Members.  It was recalled that confidential coaching and counselling support had been available

to sitting States Members since 2023, following feedback which had highlighted the need for additional support. The services were facilitated by the States Greffe, and a notional maximum spend of £3,000 per Member per political term was in place, for all items falling under the umbrella of Members' Support, including coaching and counselling.

The Committee was advised that there was currently no wellbeing or counselling provision for former States Members. It was noted that losing a political seat could have a significant impact on wellbeing and it was agreed that some provision should be made available to former Members. The Committee also discussed providing practical assistance to those who had lost their seats, including support with job applications, character references and signposting to recruitment agencies. It was agreed that all those States Members who had left the Assembly after the 2026 public election should be contacted to offer support and seek feedback on the types of assistance they would find most valuable.

It was also agreed that increasing social opportunities for States Members would help foster stronger relationships, particularly at the start of a new political term and that the Committee should take a proactive approach to looking at ways in which the Assembly could come together in non-political settings.

Matters for  A8. The Committee noted the following matters for information – information.

Training and Development

The Committee was informed that following the success of the Negotiating for Better Success in Politics programme, the course would be delivered again. The Committee  would  receive  information  on  other  training  and  development opportunities available to Members.

Lunch and Learn – Brighter Futures

Deputy K.F. Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity proposed a lunch and learn session to be delivered by Brighter Futures to coincide with the States meeting on Tuesday 20th October 2026. The Committee endorsed the proposal, and Deputy Morel undertook to make the necessary arrangements.

1st Meeting 16.07.2026

Date of next  A9. The Committee noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 14th meeting.  September 2026, from 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm in the Blampied Room.