Council of Ministers (Jersey)

The Council of Ministers (French: Conseil des Ministres; Jèrriais: Conseil des Minnistre) is the collective decision-making body of the Government of Jersey,[1] formed by the Ministers of the States of Jersey and the Chief Minister.[2] The council co-ordinates policies and administration, especially policy affecting two or more ministers, prioritises executive and legislative proposals, and presents a "Strategic Plan for Jersey" for approval by the States Assembly.

Council of Ministers
Government of Jersey
Date formedDecember 2005
People and organisations
MonarchCharles III
Lieutenant GovernorSir Jerry Kyd
Chief MinisterKristina Moore
Deputy Chief MinisterKirsten Morel
Assistant Chief MinistersAndy Jehan
Alex Curtis
No. of ministers12
Member partiesIndependents
History
Election(s)2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2022
Incoming formationAppointed by the States Assembly
or Chief Minister
PredecessorCommittee system
Politics of Jersey
The Crown
Executive
Government of Jersey
Legislature
Judiciary
Local government
Elections
External relations
Category

The Government of Jersey is the executive and administrative arm of the States of Jersey and the identity used by the Council of Ministers for these purposes. All ministers in the council are appointed by, and must be, members of the States. The council does not represent a parliamentary majority as ministers may be elected on a variety of manifestos. The executive is prevented from constituting a majority of the 51 elected members by the States of Jersey Law 2005, which places a legal cap of 22 on the number of states' members who may hold office as chief minister, minister and assistant ministers.[3]

The first Council of Ministers was established in December 2005. Before then, the executive powers of the States of Jersey were managed by a committee-based system of States members.

Constitution

The ministerial system of government in Jersey was established by the States of Jersey Law 2005.[2] Part 4 establishes the role and election of Ministers.

There are at least 8 members of the Council - the Chief Minister and 7 other ministers.

The functions of the council is:

  • to co-ordinate the policies and administration for which they are responsible as Ministers
  • to discuss and agree policy which affects 2 or more of them
  • to discuss and agree their common policy regarding external relations
  • to prioritise executive and legislative proposals
  • to agree and, within 4 months of their appointment, lodge for referral to one or more Scrutiny Panels, a statement of their common strategic policy
  • such other matters as the Chief Minister or the Council of Ministers may determine

Ministers provide policy direction to Government officers, having given fair considering to those officers' informed and impartial advice.[2]

Present composition

The current Council of Ministers was selected by the States Assembly on Monday 11 July 2022. All of the candidates nominated by newly-elected Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, were backed by States Members.[4]

Only the International Development Minister, Deputy Carolyn Labey, retained her role from the previous government. Deputy Ian Gorst, who served as External Relations Minister under John Le Fondré's premiership, kept his place on the Council of Ministers but in a new role overseeing the Treasury.

Deputies Kristina Moore and Philip Ozouf both returned to the government after a four-year absence, while six of the 2022 cohort of Ministers were new to politics.[5]

All of the Ministers and Assistant Ministers are independent politicians, apart from Assistant Social Security Minister, Deputy Malcolm Ferey, who is a member of the Jersey Liberal Conservatives.

Jersey's Council of Ministers under Kristina Moore
Portfolio Minister Term
Ministers[6]
Chief Minister Deputy Kristina Moore 2022–present
Deputy Chief Minister

Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture

 Deputy Kirsten Morel 2022–present
Minister for External Relations Deputy Philip Ozouf 2022–present
Minister for International Development Deputy Carolyn Labey 2018–present
Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Tom Binet 2022–present
Minister for Social Security
Assistant Treasury and Resources Minister		 Deputy Elaine Millar 2022–present
Minister for Housing and Communities Deputy David Warr 2022–present
Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Helen Miles 2022–present
Minister for Treasury and Resources Deputy Ian Gorst 2022–present
Minister for Health and Social Services Deputy Karen Wilson 2022–present
Minister for Children and Education Deputy Inna Gardiner 2022–present
Minister for the Environment Deputy Jonathan Renouf 2022–present
Assistant Ministers[7]
Assistant Chief Minister Connétable Andy Jehan 2022–present
Assistant Chief Minister
Assistant Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Minister		 Deputy Alex Curtis 2022–present
Assistant Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Minister Deputy Lucy Stephenson 2022–present
Assistant Children and Education Minister
Assistant Treasury and Resources Minister		 Connétable Richard Vibert 2022–present
Assistant Children and Education Minister
Assistant Home Affairs Minister		 Deputy Louise Doublet 2022–present
Assistant Environment Minister
Assistant Home Affairs Minister		 Deputy Hilary Jeune 2022–present
Assistant Health and Social Services Minister Deputy Rose Binet 2022–present
Assistant Infrastructure Minister
Assistant Treasury and Resources Minister		 Deputy Steve Ahier 2022–present
Assistant Social Security Minister Deputy Malcolm Ferey 2022–present
Party key Independent
Better Way
Jersey Liberal Conservatives

Appointment of ministers

The States Assembly elects a member for appointment as Chief Minister after every ordinary election of deputies and whenever the Chief Minister is not able to continue to fulfil their role. The Chief Minister, or any other States member, then may nominate members for appointment as Ministers. From those nominations, States members then elect members into each ministerial office.[2] The Chief Minister or a Minister are in office until the next appointment to their role, or until they resign or are dismissed by the Chief Minister.

The States Assembly can hold a vote of no confidence in the Government and the Chief Minister, or any individual Minister.[2] This happened in December 2020, when Senator Kristina Moore lodged a vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister over a controversy involving the Chief Executive of the Government, Charlie Parker. The proposition was lost 29 votes contre, 19 votes pour, with the Education Minister abstaining.[8]

Chief Minister

The Chief Minister acts as president of the council and matters may be brought for discussion by any minister. The Chief Minister may not be a Minister or Assistant Minister.

The functions of the Chief Minister with regard to the council are:[2]

  • to co-ordinate the discharge of common functions of the Council
  • to conduct external relations with the common policy agreed by the Council

Operation

Legally ultimate responsibility for the policy decisions of a department rest solely with the minister, however in practice matters are decided by a unanimous or majority vote of all the ministers.[9] The Council of Ministers may require an individual minister to follow directs if a policy falls within the functions of the council and is in the public interest.

The minutes of Council meetings are drawn up and kept by the Office of the Greffier of the States.[2]

Previous Councils

Frank Walker (2005–2008)

Jersey's first Ministers were appointed in 2005, with Frank Walker becoming the first Chief Minister of Jersey.

Only one of the ten ministers he nominated to join his Council of Ministers failed to be elected, Senator Len Norman, whose position was filled by Deputy Guy de Faye.

Terry Le Sueur (2008–2011)
Former Senator Terry Le Sueur was Chief Minister of Jersey

Elections for ministerial posts were held on 11 and 12 December 2008.[10] The nominees of the Chief Minister were successful with the exception of Senator Routier, proposed successively for Health and Social Services and Education, Sport and Culture. Three ministers subsequently resigned as ministers (but remained as States members) in the face of criticisms of their personal conduct: Senator Jim Perchard (2009), Deputy Terry Le Main (2010) and Deputy Sean Power (2011), triggering further elections. One minister, Senator Freddie Cohen, exchanged the role of Planning and Environment Minister for that of "foreign minister" in 2011.

  • Chief Minister of Jersey: Senator Terry Le Sueur
  • Treasury Minister: Senator Philip Ozouf (elected with 38 votes; Deputy Geoff Southern received 13 votes)
  • Economic Development Minister: Senator Alan Maclean (elected with 32 votes; Deputy Mike Higgins received 20 votes)
  • Home Affairs Minister: Senator Ian Le Marquand (elected with 34 votes; Senator Stuart Syvret received 18 votes)
  • Health and Social Services Minister: Deputy Anne Pryke (from April 2009). Her predecessor, Senator Jim Perchard (elected in 2008 with 31 votes; Senator Paul Routier receiving 21 votes) resigned in April 2009 after controversy surrounding remarks he made in the chamber urging Senator Stuart Syvret to commit suicide.[11]
  • Education, Sport and Culture Minister: Deputy James Reed (elected on the fourth round with 31 votes). Deputy Reed was the Chief Minister's initial candidate for the post. However, when his nomination of Senator Routier for Health and Social Services was defeated, he withdrew Deputy Reed's name and nominated Senator Routier in his place. Deputies Reed, Judy Martin and Roy Le Hérissier were also nominated. In the first round of voting Senator Routier received 16 votes, Deputy Reed 13 votes, Deputy Le Hérissier 12 votes and Deputy Martin 11 votes. With Deputy Martin eliminated, in the second round Deputy Le Hérissier received 20 votes while Senator Routier and Deputy Reed both received 16 votes. In the tie-breaking third round Deputy Reed received 29 votes and Senator Routier was eliminated with 23 votes. In the final round Deputy Reed was elected with 31 votes and Deputy Le Hérissier received 22 votes.
  • Planning and Environment Minister: Deputy Rob Duhamel (from July 2011).[12] Senator Freddie Cohen, who was elected to the ministerial post unopposed in 2008, resigned in order to focus on his role as "foreign minister" (formally, as an assistant minister to the Chief Minister).
  • Housing Minister: Deputy Andrew Green (from February 2011).[13] He replaced Deputy Sean Power, in post since June 2010, was resigned after he was "found to have broken the Data Protection Law by sending a confidential and personal email to a States colleague on to a third party".[14] Power's predecessor had also resigned: Senator Terry Le Main, elected in 2008 with 27 votes (Senator Alan Breckon receiving 25 votes), stood down as minister in June 2010, following unproven allegations, which he vigorously denied, about his relationship with a property developer.[15]
  • Social Security Minister: Deputy Ian Gorst (elected with 36 votes; Deputy Geoff Southern received 16 votes)
  • Transport and Technical Services Minister: Constable Mike Jackson (elected with 33 votes; Deputy Rob Duhamel received 19 votes)

Ian Gorst's first term (2011–2014)
Senator Ian Gorst the Chief Minister of Jersey

Elections for ministerial posts were held on 17 and 18 November 2011. The chief minister's nominations were all contested; two of his nominations were defeated, and five ministerial posts were decided by margins of between 1 and 3 votes. The chief minister's nomination of Senator Ian Le Marquand to the Treasury was defeated, and so the chief minister amended his nomination for Home Affairs to retain Senator Le Marquand on the council, by withdrawing his nomination of Senator Lyndon Farnham. The chief minister's nomination of Connétable John Refault to Transport and Technical Services was defeated, with Deputy Kevin Lewis, a former Assistant Minister for Transport and Technical Services, being elected.[16]

Ian Gorst's second term (2014–2018)

John Le Fondré (2018–2022)

The Council of Ministers saw a number of changes during John Le Fondré's time as Chief Minister. Of his 2018 picks,[17] several were no longer in office by the end of the electoral term.

Jersey's Council of Ministers under John Le Fondré[18]
Portfolio Minister Term
Ministers
Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré 2018–2022
Deputy Chief Minister Senator Tracey Vallois 2018–2018
Deputy Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham 2018–2022
Minister for Children & Housing Senator Sam Mézec 2018–2020
Minister for Children & Housing
Minister for Children & Education		 Deputy Jeremy Maçon 2020–2021
Minister for Children & Education Deputy Scott Wickenden 2021-2022
Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Senator Lyndon Farnham 2018–2022
Minister for Education Senator Tracey Vallois 2018–2021
Minister for the Environment Deputy John Young 2018–2022
Minister for External Relations Senator Ian Gorst 2018–2022
Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Kevin Lewis 2018–2022
Minister for International Development Deputy Carolyn Labey 2018–present
Minister for Health and Social Services Deputy Richard Renouf 2018–2022
Minister for Home Affairs Connétable Len Norman 2018–2021
Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Gregory Guida 2021–2022
Minister for Housing and Communities Deputy Russell Labey 2021-2022
Minister for Social Security Deputy Judy Martin 2018–2022
Minister for Treasury and Resources Deputy Susie Pinel 2018–2022
Party key Jersey Alliance[19]
Independent
Reform Jersey

On 12 December 2018, Senator Tracey Vallois resigned as Deputy Chief Minister to focus on her Education portfolio.[20] She later resigned from her post as Minister for Education on 11 January 2021 following a disagreement with other Ministers over allowing students back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

The Children & Housing Minister, Sam Mézec resigned from his post on 9 November 2020[22] to back a vote of no confidence against Senator Le Fondré.

Deputy Jeremy Maçon took over the role of Minister for Children and Housing, which was later renamed 'Minister for Children and Education' (combining Senators Mézec and Vallois' previous roles) while a new position of 'Minister for Housing and Communities' was created. Maçon was relieved of his ministerial duties by the Chief Minister on 24 March 2021[23] and formally resigned three months later.[24]

The Home Affairs Minister, Connetable Len Norman, died on 1 July 2021.[25] His Assistant Minister, Deputy Gregory Guida, took over as Minister for Home Affairs.

Assistant ministers

Portfolio Minister
Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs

 Lindsey Ash[26]

Deputy

Assistant Chief Minister

Assistant Minister for External Relations and Financial Services

 Richard Buchanan[27]

Connétable

Assistant Minister for the Environment Gregory Guida[28]

Deputy

Assistant Chief Minister Rowland Huelin[29]

Deputy

Assistant Chief Minister Carolyn Labey[30]

Deputy

Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Kirsten Morel[31]

Deputy

Assistant Minister for the Environment Jess Perchard[32]

Deputy

Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services

Assistant Minister for Children and Education

 Trevor Pointon[33]

Deputy

Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure

Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture

 Hugh Raymond[34]

Deputy

Assistant Minister for Children and Education Richard Vibert[35]

Connétable

Assistant Chief Minister

Assistant Minister for Social Security

 Scott Wickenden

Deputy

Assistant Minister for Social Security

Assistant Minister for Housing and Communities

 Jeremy Maçon[36]

Deputy

References
  1. Jersey, States of. "Council of Ministers adopts 'Government of Jersey' identity". www.gov.je. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  2. "States of Jersey Law 2005". Law of Jersey. 1 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  3. "States of Jersey Law 2005, Article 25" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  4. "Assistant Ministers Appointed". Channel 103.
  5. "Moore's Ministers Approved". Channel 103. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. Jersey, States of. "Government of Jersey". gov.je. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  7. Jersey, States of. "Government of Jersey". gov.je. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  8. Heath, Richard (10 November 2020). "Jersey's Chief Minister survives vote of no confidence". jerseyeveningpost.com. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  9. Senator Philip Ozouf, BBC Radio Jersey Talkback June 24th 2007
  10. Anon (2011). "Inside the States – Council of Ministers election". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  11. Editorial (2011). "A minister falls on his sword". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  12. Anon (2011). "New Environment Minister elected". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  13. Anon (2011). "New Housing Minister elected". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  14. Anon (2011). "Minister resigns over email data breach". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  15. Quérée, Ben (2011). "Minister resigns". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  16. "Deputy Anne Pryke wins a four-way battle for Health". Jersey Evening Post. 19 November 2011.
  17. "The States of Jersey elect new Council of Ministers". ITV News. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  18. Jersey, States of. "Government of Jersey". gov.je. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  19. "New third political party in Jersey to sit 'centre-right'". BBC News. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  20. Express, Bailiwick. "Tracey Vallois resigns as Deputy Chief Minister". Bailiwick Express.
  21. "Jersey's Education Minister quits over reopening of schools". ITV News. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  22. "Two Jersey Ministers resign in fall out over the Chief Executive's second job". ITV News. 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  23. "Maçon Removed As Children's Minister". Channel 103. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  24. "Jersey Education Minister Jeremy Macon resigns over police investigation". BBC News. 7 June 2021.
  25. Jersey, States of. "Government of Jersey". gov.je. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  26. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  27. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  28. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  29. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  30. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  31. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  32. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  33. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  34. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  35. "Members". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  36. Potigny, Fiona (2021-10-06). "Deputy Maçon returns to Government". Bailiwick Express. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
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