States Minutes 30 March 2026

Published on: 30 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 Monday 30th March 2026, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Robert James MacRae , Esquire.

__________________

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

Deputy Stephen George Luce of Grouville and St. Martin – excused attendance (arrived in the Chamber at 10.40 a.m.)

Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter – en défaut

Deputy Mary Rose Scott of St. Brelade – ill

__________________

Prayers read by the Greffier of the States __________________

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. No members participated remotely in the meeting.

Documents presented

Better Business Support Package – 2025 Delivery Report R.55/2026. Presented: 30th March 2026, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development

Future Economy Programme Delivery Update 2025 R.56/2026. Presented: 30th March 2026, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development

Public Employees' Pension Fund (PEPF) Actuarial Valuation 2024 R.57/2026. Presented: 30th March 2026, Chief Minister

Jersey Teachers' Superannuation Fund (JTSF) Actuarial Valuation 2024 R.58/2006. Presented: 30th March 2026, Chief Minister

Review of the Statutory Youth Service R.59/2026. Presented: 30th March 2026, Minister for Children and Families

Jersey Care Commission Annual Report 2025 R.60/2026. Presented: 30th March 2026, Minister for the Environment

First-time Buyer properties P.55/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement entitled First-time Buyer properties' (P.55/2026) and rejected the proposition to request the Minister for Housing, by 30th September 2026 –

to compile and publish a register of all residential developments subject to first-time buyer or affordable ownership restrictions, and to update that register as further sites were identified;
in consultation with the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Treasury and Resources, to determine and publish for each site identified under (a) the legal or planning mechanism through which restrictions were applied, and the conditions under which those restrictions may be varied or removed; and
further to the work undertaken under (a) and (b), to bring forward options for modifying ownership restrictions on existing developments, together with the implications for housing supply.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 19

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade 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 L.M.C. Doublet Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

CONTRE: 21

Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. John

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 S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée 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

ABSTAINED: 0

Urgent Oral Question

Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North asked the following question of the Minister for Health and Social Services which the Bailiff had allowed in accordance with Standing Order 15 relating to urgent oral questions –

"Will the Minister advise why a policy change, introducing charges of over £500 per day for Islanders remaining in hospital after being declared fit for discharge, was brought into force by Ministerial Order without prior Assembly scrutiny or public awareness, and what assessment has been made of its impact on patients and families?"

Statutory Duty to future generations P.56/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement entitled Statutory Duty to future generations' (P.56/2026) and rejected the proposition that it should be a statutory duty of the Council of Ministers to consider the impact of policy making and law drafting on future generations and to request the Chief Minister to undertake all necessary actions to implement a law setting out the Government's "Duty to Future Generations", such Law to have regard to –

avoiding decisions that created unsustainable debt burdens on future generations so they could sustain economic well-being and prudent management of the Island's finances;
preserving, and protecting the natural environment from irreversible damage to enable future generations' enjoyment of the Island and its surroundings;
reinvigorating the Island economy to prevent future generations experiencing economic and social decline in the Island's communities;
protecting the Island's identity and its assets for future generations and strengthening community cohesion and resilience; and
ensuring policy decisions and laws actively strengthened the ability of future generations to adapt to the pace of economic, technological, environmental and social change over time.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 12

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Clement Deputy L.M.C Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H. L. Jeune

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

CONTRE: 32

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

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 B.B. de S.V.M. Porée 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

ABSTAINED: 0

Channel Islands Lottery Distribution of Proceeds 2026 P.58/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development entitled Channel Islands Lottery Distribution of Proceeds 2026' (P.58/2026) and, adopting the proposition, agreed, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 4(5) of the Gambling (Channel Islands Lottery) (Jersey) Regulations 1975, to allocate £1,130,000 to the Jersey Community Foundation, the Association of Jersey Charities and Jersey Sport for onward distribution in support of the Island community with the allocation to be as follows –

• 50% to the Association of Jersey Charities (£565,00) solely for charities;

• 30% to the Jersey Community Foundation (£339,000) to be split between –

arts, culture and heritage (65-75%); and
applied science or applied research in the fields of engineering, biology, physics, chemistry or mathematics, provided that the funds are either to be used locally or for the direct benefit of Jersey, including any education from which local residents may benefit (25-35%); and

• 20% to Jersey Sport (£226,000) for sports and active lifestyles.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 45 CONTRE: 0 ABSTAINED: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour 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 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 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 Deputy M.B. Andrews

Deferral of Land Transaction Philip Le Feuvre House and Huguenot House P.59/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of 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) and rejected the proposition to request the Minister for Infrastructure to defer approval of the land transaction agreement, as proposed in R.43/2026 presented to the States on 18th March 2026, pending consideration by the next States Assembly of a feasibility report and cost benefit analysis subsequent to an investigation of alternatives uses of the site (to include the options of using the site to provide open space and public parking).

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 9

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Clement Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

CONTRE: 33

Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern

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.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 C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

ABSTAINED: 2 Deputy J. Renouf Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell

Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Arrangement of public business for the present meeting

THE STATES, adopting the request of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of her amendment (P.54/2026 Amd.Amd.) to the amendment of the Minister for Treasury and Resources (P54/2026 Amd.) to the proposition of Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John, St. Lawrence and Trinity entitled Continuation of Rural and Marine support' (P.54/2026) in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.

POUR: 43

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin 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 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 L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

CONTRE: 0 ABSTAINED: 1

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

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

Continuation of Rural and Marine support P.54/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity entitled Continuation of Rural and Marine support' (P.54/2026) and, commencing consideration of an amendment of the Minister for Treasury and Resources (P.54/2026 Amd.), adopted an amendment of the Minister for Treasury and Resources (P.54/2026 Amd.Amd.), that for the word "excluding" there should be substituted the words "subject to the Council of Ministers identifying, and States Assembly agreeing, a recurring funding source for"; and that the words "and the availability of funds" should be deleted.

THE STATES rejected the amendment of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, as amended, that, for the words "including both the Agricultural Loans Scheme and Better Business Support funding" there should be substituted "subject to the Council of Ministers identifying, and States Assembly agreeing, a recurring funding source for the Better Business Support funding"; and that after the words "rescinded by the States Assembly.", there should be inserted the words "; and that the Agricultural Loans Scheme should continue, with the determination of further capitalisation based on the demand for loans."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 18

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Peter Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

CONTRE: 22 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 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 R.J. Ward

Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy A. Howell Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 0

THE STATES, adopting the proposition of Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity , referred to their Act dated 7th November 2023, in which they had approved the proposition entitled Increase in revenue expenditure for agriculture and fisheries' (P.74/2023), as amended, and agreed that the Council of Ministers should ensure the current level of financial support for Rural and Marine sectors in 2026, including both the Agricultural Loans Scheme and Better Business Support funding allocated directly to Rural and Marine, continued in perpetuity and increased in line with RPI(X) each year until this proposition was rescinded by the States Assembly.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 43 CONTRE: 0 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 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 L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

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 Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement declared an interest in the subject of the proposition of Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity , in that he was the owner of business that would directly profit from the Rural Business Scheme, and, as the interest was a financial interest that was personal to him, he withdrew from the Chamber for the duration of the debate on the proposition.

Work Permit changes P.57/2026

THE STATES commenced consideration of a proposition of Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South entitled Work Permit changes' (P.57/2026) and, adopting an amendment of Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South (P.57/2026 Amd.), agreed that –

the words "undertake any necessary legislative and policy actions required to" should be deleted;

in paragraph (a), the words "update and strengthen" should be substituted with "commission and publish an independent review of";

the words "whilst undertaking a review into the feasibility" should be substituted with "such review to include an assessment of the feasibility, implications, and potential benefits and risks";

after the words ", such review to be completed and published by June 2027", there should be inserted ", with any necessary legislative or policy changes presented to the States Assembly by December 2027"; and

in paragraph (b) the word "implement" should be substituted with the words "undertake an examination of", and after the words "Organization (ILO)) and" substitute the word "ensure" with the words "produce a roadmap for implementation of the principle in the Island by June 2027, ensuring".

THE STATES, adopting paragraph (a) of the proposition of Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South , as amended, requested the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs to –

commission and publish an independent review of the current work permit policy such review to include an assessment of the feasibility, implications, and potential benefits and risks of changing the registration process for work permits so that they were held in the name of an employee (and not the employer), whilst maintaining the existing restrictions on migrant workers regarding work permit category and length of stay, such review to be completed and published by June 2027, with any necessary legislative or policy changes presented to the States Assembly by December 2027.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 44

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Martin 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 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

CONTRE: 0 ABSTAINED: 1

Connétable of St. Clement

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 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 M.E. Millar

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

THE STATES rejected paragraph (b) of the proposition of Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South , as amended, to request the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs to –

undertake an examination of the Employer Pays Principle (as set out by the International Labour Organization (ILO)) and produce a roadmap for implementation of the principle in the Island by June 2027, ensuring that recruitment fees and related costs for the employment of migrant workers were not collected from the workers themselves, either directly or indirectly.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 22

Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Mary Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

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 J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

CONTRE: 22 Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy D.J. Warr Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis

ABSTAINED: 1 Connétable of St. Clement

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

States members – retirement

The Bailiff referred to the impending elections and the retirement of those Members who had decided not to seek re-election and imparted a message of thanks.

THE STATES rose at 5.42 p.m.

L.-M. HART Greffier of the States