States Minutes 27 March 2026
This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
THE STATES assembled on Friday 27th March 2026, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff ,
Mark Howard Temple , Esquire.
__________________
All members were present at roll call with the exception of –
Connétable Philip Bond Le Sueur of Trinity – ill
Connétable Andrew Nicholas Jehan of St. John – excused attendance (arrived in the Chamber at 9.55 a.m.) Connétable Marcus O'Donnel Troy of St. Clement – en défaut
Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour – parental responsibilities
Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter – ill
Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – suspended
Deputy Margaret Elaine Millar of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity – absent on States Business
__________________
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 Marcus O'Donnel Troy of St. Clement Deputy Mary Rose Scott of St. Brelade
Documents presented
Deferral of Land Transaction Philip Le Feuvre House and Huguenot House (P.59/2026) P.59/2026. – comments. Com. Presented: 27th March 2026, Council of Ministers.
Jersey Audit Office: Annual Report of findings. R.52/2026. Presented: 27th March 2026, Comptroller and Auditor General.
Statistics Council: appointment of Members. R.53/2026. Presented: 27th March 2026, Chief Minister.
Jersey Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements: Annual Report 2025. R.54/2026. Presented: 27th March 2026, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.
Li felong Learning (S.R.3/2026): joint response of the Minister for Education and S.R.3/2026. Li felong Learning and the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development. Res. Presented: 27th March 2026, Minister for Education and Li felong Learning.
Use of Cash in Jersey P.48/2026
THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade entitled Use of Cash in Jersey' (P.48/2026), and, adopting the proposition, agreed that people in Jersey should have a right and expectation to be able to pay for in-person purchases of goods and services using cash and requested the Council of Ministers –
- to take the necessary steps to ensure that, from January 2028, businesses selling in-person goods and services must accept cash, unless they were exempt according to a list of reasonable exemptions to be developed by the Council in consultation with stakeholders; and
- to bring forward a policy paper on the long-term plans for access to cash and cash usage in the Island, including examination of the fees banks charge for depositing or withdrawing cash, to be presented to the States Assembly by March 2027.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 31 CONTRE: 8 ABSTAINED: 2
Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Helier Deputy K.F. Morel Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Brelade Deputy A. Howell Connétable of St. John Connétable of Trinity
Connétable of St. Clement Deputy S.G. Luce
Connétable of Grouville Deputy I.J. Gorst
Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache
Connétable of St. Mary Deputy D.J. Warr
Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy M.R. Scott
Deputy G.P. Southern
Deputy C.F. Labey
Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat
Deputy S.M. Ahier
Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy I. Gardiner
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 J. Renouf
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy H.L. Jeune
Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
Draft Companies (Jersey) Amendment No.2 Law 202- P.49/2026
THE STATES commenced consideration of the Draft Companies (Jersey) Amendment No.2 Law 202- and adopted the principles.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 35 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAINED: 0
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier
Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy I. Gardiner
Deputy I.J. Gorst
Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy T.A. Coles
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.R. Ferey
Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis
Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
THE STATES, having been informed that the relevant scrutiny panel had indicated that it did not wish to scrutinise the draft legislation, adopted Articles 1 to 16.
THE STATES, subject to the sanction of His Most Excellent Majesty in Council, adopted a Law entitled the Companies (Jersey) Amendment No.2 Law 202-.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 40 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAINED: 0 Connétable of St. Helier
Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey
Deputy M. Tadier
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 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 A. Howell
Deputy M.R. Ferey
Deputy R.S. Kovacs
Deputy A.F. Curtis
Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson
Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
Removal of interest tax relief for Buy-To-Let mortgages P.51/2026
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central entitled Removal of interest tax relief for Buy-To-Let mortgages' (P.51/2026) and rejected the proposition to request the Minister for Treasury and Resources to undertake all necessary actions to remove interest tax relief on buy-to-let mortgages, with such change to be reflected in the draft Budget (Government Plan) 2027-2030 and any related legislation.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 18
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade
CONTRE: 21
Connétable of Trinity Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen
ABSTAINED: 3
Connétable of St. Clement Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy D.J. Warr
STATES MINUTES
Connétable of St. John Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy S.Y. Mézec
Deputy T.A. Coles
Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy H.M. Miles
Deputy J. Renouf
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham
Deputy H.L. Jeune
Deputy R.S. Kovacs
Deputy M.B. Andrews
27th March 2026
Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst
Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy R.E. Binet
Deputy A. Howell
Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, the following members declared an interest in the subject of the proposition of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central in that they or their partner had a buy-to-let mortgage –
Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade
Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central
Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity
Arrangement of business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement , agreed that the meeting would finish at 5.30 p.m. on Friday 27th March 2026.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 33
Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy M. Tadier
Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles
CONTRE: 8
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Mary Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy I.J. Gorst
Deputy J. Renouf
Deputy K.M. Wilson
ABSTAINED: 1 Deputy S.Y. Mézec
Deputy B.B.de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr
Deputy H.M. Miles
Deputy M.R. Scott
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet
Deputy H.L. Jeune
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
Prosecution of illegal taxi services P.52/2026
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central entitled Prosecution of illegal taxi services' (P.52/2026) and, adopting an amendment of the Minister for Infrastructure (P.52/2026 Amd.), agreed that –
for the words "Minister for Infrastructure" there should be substituted "Council of Ministers"; for the words "to update" there should be substituted "to consider either an update to";
after the words "Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935" there should be inserted ", or other new statutory offences in separate legislation,";
for the words "allow for" there should be substituted "further support"; for the word "prosecution" there should be substituted "investigation";
after the words "illegal taxi services" there should be inserted "by the States of Jersey Police, with the aim to deter this practice by increasing the potential of successful prosecutions for unlawfully driving passengers for reward"; and
for the words "31st March" there should be substituted "30th June".
THE STATES, adopting the proposition of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central , as amended, requested the Council of Ministers to consider either an update to the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935, or other new statutory offences in separate legislation, to further support the investigation of illegal taxi services by the States of Jersey Police, with the aim to deter this practice by increasing the potential of successful prosecutions for unlawfully driving passengers for reward, and to bring forward the necessary legislation before 30th June 2027 to give effect to this decision.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 35
Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement
CONTRE: 2 Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy A.F. Curtis
ABSTAIN: 1 Deputy M.R. Scott
Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen 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 R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy I.J. Gorst
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 J. Renouf
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy R.E. Binet
Deputy H.L. Jeune
Deputy A. Howell
Deputy T.J.A. Binet
Deputy M.R. Ferey
Deputy R.S. Kovacs
Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson
Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews
THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, Deputy Carolyn Fiona Labey of Grouville and St. Martin declared an interest in the subject of the proposition of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central , in that her partner was a taxi driver.
Arrangement of business for the present meeting
THE STATES, adopting a proposition of Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity , agreed that his proposition entitled Continuation of Rural and Marine support' (P.54/2026) would be considered after a proposition of Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South entitled Deferral of Land Transaction Philip Le Feuvre House and Huguenot House' (P.59/2026).
THE STATES adopting a proposition of Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South , agreed that her proposition entitled Work Permit changes' (P.57/2026) would be considered as the last item of public business.
Restriction on solar ground mounts on agricultural land – Petition P.53/2026
THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade entitled Restriction on solar ground mounts on agricultural land – Petition (P.53/2026) and, adopting an amendment of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade (P.53/2026 Amd.) agreed that the words "prohibition on" should be substituted with the words "presumption against"; that after the words "agricultural land" the word ", and" should be deleted; that the words after "agricultural land" should be designated as paragraph (b) and the subsequent paragraph redesignated accordingly; and that the words "include such prohibition" should be substituted with the words "consider strengthening protections for the loss of agricultural land to solar ground mounts".
THE STATES, adopting paragraph (a) of the proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade as amended, agreed that there should be a presumption against solar ground mounts on agricultural land.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 23
Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin 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 M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy C.S. Alves
Deputy I. Gardiner
Deputy I.J. Gorst
Deputy L.J. Farnham
Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy H.M. Miles
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy R.E. Binet
Deputy A. Howell
Deputy R.S. Kovacs
Deputy K.M. Wilson
Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson
CONTRE: 19
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Deputy S.G. Luce
Deputy S.M. Ahier
Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy T.A. Coles
Deputy D.J. Warr
Deputy M.R. Scott
Deputy J. Renouf
Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy H.L. Jeune
Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey
Deputy A.F. Curtis
Deputy B. Ward
ABSTAIN: 0
THE STATES, adopting paragraph (b) of the proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade as amended, requested the Minister for the Environment to consider strengthening protections for the loss of agricultural land to solar ground mounts in the next Island Plan.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 37
Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin 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 K.F. Morel
Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier
Deputy R.J. Ward
Deputy C.S. Alves
CONTRE: 7
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Deputy S.G. Luce Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy J. Renouf
Deputy M.B. Andrews
ABSTAIN: 0
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 D.J. Warr
Deputy H.M. Miles
Deputy C.D. Curtis
Deputy L.V. Feltham
Deputy R.E. Binet
Deputy H.L. Jeune
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, adopting paragraph (c) of the proposition of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade as amended, requested the Minister for Infrastructure, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, to bring forward a policy framework to promote the installation of solar panels on all suitable States of Jersey owned buildings.
Members present voted as follows –
POUR: 40
Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen 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. 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
CONTRE: 4 Connétable of St. Mary Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.B. Andrews
ABSTAIN: 0
Deputy D.J. Warr
Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf
Deputy C.D. Curtis Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy A. Howell Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward
Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson
Adjournment
THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Monday 30th March 2026 to commence consideration of the proposition of Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement entitled First-time Buyer properties' (P.55/2026) and the other outstanding propositions listed for consideration at the meeting.
THE STATES rose at 5.15 p.m.
W.J.C. MILLOW Deputy Greffier of the States