After three days of debate the first ever MTFP has been approved by 36 votes to 7 with 1 abstention. Having voted in favour, I do hope the advice of the Fiscal Policy Panel will be heeded and increased funding will be leveraged and injected into the economy to help end the ongoing recession and bring some […]
A gap in the law has led to a convicted killer receiving a sentence that even the court passing sentence deems to be inappropriate. The Royal Court was unable to impose a life sentence because it cannot set a minimum period before early release is considered for manslaughter. It is therefore time to identify and […]
If Senators are put into the mix for the referendum, then I would suggest the following could be workable; Deputies in six districts (24) Constables (12) Senators (6) 42 .. Every member of the electorate would then be able to vote for eleven members (as opposed to 7 under the current proposal) and we would […]
Let the people decide. This is key my aim and objective in relation to the current proposals to reform the States. The electoral Commission, in their interim report, have recommended that the public should decide in a referendum whether or not the Constables should remain in the States. A worthy question but why are they […]
– Today the Electoral Commission presented their Interim Report and it is exactly as I suspected. Whilst I agree that they are on the right track I can not subscribe to their recommendation to ask the people if they want to retain the Connetables but NOT ask the same question of the Island Wide Mandate […]
The Electoral Commission will be presenting their first Interim Report on Monday 22nd October 2012. I have a feeling that the office of Senator may be under threat! Related Images:
I will be lodging an amendment to the MTFP tomorrow (Monday 22nd October 2012) which could save the States hundreds of millions of pounds in the medium term – details to follow .. http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyPropositions/2012/P.069-2012%20Amd(6).pdf Related Images:
– The second half of September and early October has seen a proliferation of meetings on subjects including; Historic Child Abuse (Committee of Inquiry), Health – the presentation of the new health strategy, Tourism Strategy and the creation of a Tourism Board, Fire Sprinklers in private homes (a sensible idea), and the Fiscal Policy Panel’s […]
– Today I presented my case to the Electoral Commission although I have a feeling that they have already made up their minds and are just going through the motions – we shall see. Follow the link for Transcript of my hearing. Related Images:
– Senator Le Marquand (Home Affairs Minister) has been on leave for a couple of weeks so, as his Assistant Minister, I have been rather more busy than usual. Meetings I have attended include; Children’s Policy Group, Police HQ re-location, Customs and Immigration Controls and two meetings with Minister of State for Justice, Lord McNally who […]
– Today saw the Royal visit of HRH the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The States of Jersey convened in a special sitting in the Royal Square this morning where a warm and friendly welcome was extended by he Bailiff to the visiting Royals. An appropriate and equally warm reply was presented by the […]
– A day that will live in infamy … We were deafeated (narrowly) by Guernsey States Members today in the annual Cricket Challenge in Guernsey. Nevertheless, our hosts were most generous and a great day was had by all. In my enthusiasm to field a low drive from Guernsey’s opening batsman I twinged something so […]
– I was present at my first meeting of the Justice System Board today which was very interesting. I continue to feel slightly uncomfortable though that we do not have any real political accountability or responsibility for Justice and certain areas of related Policy. I need to think more about this and discuss with my colleagues […]
– Attended a good number of States related meetings over the last couple of weeks including dinner with the Estonian Ambassador and the launch of Jersey’s own Diamond Jubilee £100 note .. Incidentally, I thought the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations were truly amazing. Related Images:
– Fire and Rescue update today and I continue to be impressed with our really excellent service. The team are skilled, versatile, dedicated and very professional. Re the passports, I could not muster enough political support to resist the UK’s proposals that passport production for the Channel Islands is centralised within the UK so it appears we […]
– No States this week so I attended the opening of the new JEC station at South hill today and saw a really impressive facility. Lets hope this delivers a secure and uninterrupted power supply to the Island for many years to come. Related Images:
– Apologies for the long delay since the last entry .. no excuses, just kept putting it off! Passports have been the main issue in so far as there is a suggestion to print them in the UK – follow this link for more info; http://www.thisisjersey.com/news/letters-to-the-editor/2012/04/02/it-is-vital-that-we-fight-to-retain-passport-service/ Without going in to all the detail I attended 31 States […]
The Priviliges and Procedures Committee have lodged the following proposition; P5/2012, for debate on Tuesday 6th March 2012; THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion – to refer to their Act dated 15th March 2011 in which they agreed that an independent Electoral Commission should be established in Jersey to investigate […]
– Right, a quick round up for Feb’ 2012; The States sat only once during February however the month was fairly busy with other business and meetings. A couple of highlights; (i) On Tuesday 21st the Jersey Hospitality Association (of which I have the honour to be President) delivered a presentation to States Members on the importance […]
– A busy day ahead .. 1000-12n00n Home Affairs meeting with Scrutiny, 12 n0on Hospital Appointment, 1430 – 1630 Presentation by the Chief Minister and Assistant Chief Ministers to analyse the 2011 census findings, 1630 – 1900 Presenation with Dr Iona Heath and Professor Mike Pringle to learn more about different approaches to primary care […]
Recent Comments