Thank you, Sir.
The States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee holds responsibility for the framework within which this Assembly operates - our electoral system, our Rules of Procedure, standards of conduct, and the broader constitutional architecture that underpins our work - not the substance of policy, but the structures, standards and systems that enable policy to be debated and determined effectively. It is about ensuring that the machinery of parliamentary democracy functions transparently, efficiently and in a manner that commands public confidence.
It is in that context that I provide this update on the Committee’s work.
One of the first tasks of the Committee related to the general election. It was gratifying that the CPA Election Observation Mission confirmed that the election was a successful democratic exercise and that Guernsey’s legal framework for elections complies with international standards.
As Members will have seen from the Mission’s report, alongside the Committee’s commentary, there were very few new areas identified for attention.
One concern was a lack of engagement from younger voters, which the Committee will be reviewing in conjunction with other stakeholders, including the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture. Lower engagement amongst young people is by no means unique to Guernsey; nevertheless, we believe there are measures which could increase participation. The timing of the election during a period when many 16- to 18-year-olds are revising for exams, as well as the burden of reviewing over 80 candidates, have both been raised as factors. This will form part of our broader work on election participation.
Staying with elections, the previous Scrutiny Management Committee carried out a full review of Island Wide Voting. With the benefit of a further Island Wide election having taken place, this Committee will now build on that work. We intend to gather clear comparative data and undertake further engagement in order to make informed, evidence-based suggestions for any improvements to the process of electing Deputies. It is important that any future refinements are grounded in robust analysis rather than anecdote.
In addition, the Committee intends to examine the feasibility of establishing an independent oversight body for elections in Guernsey. The move to Island Wide Voting, and the consequent shift in responsibility for matters such as polling stations and vote counting, means that Government has inevitably become more involved in the delivery of elections. Whilst the two Island Wide elections have been extremely well organised, there is no permanent repository of election related advice, nor is there any formal complaints procedure. These are areas we will continue to explore in parallel with the aforementioned electoral system workstream.
As Members are aware, there is also before the Assembly a policy letter and draft legislation to enable a by -election to be held in April to fill the current vacancy in our numbers.
Turning to the Development Programme for members, the Committee is continuing to roll out a programme of ongoing learning and support. A dedicated learning portal has now been established, enabling Deputies to access training materials and induction content at their own pace. This provides flexibility, continuity and better value for money, and ensures that all materials remain accessible throughout the term rather than being confined to initial induction.
Training for Deputies as Mental Health First Aiders has recently been updated, and the Committee will seek to establish whether there is appetite for a further Deputy to undertake this training. The wellbeing of Members is important, and development provision remains under constant review to ensure it is relevant, proportionate and represents good value.
Following the resignation of the Commissioner for Standards in November, the Committee acted swiftly to appoint Mr Andrew Ozanne OBE to fulfil the functions of the Commissioner on an interim basis. Mr Ozanne brings extensive experience in adjudication and complaints handling, together with an excellent working knowledge of how the States operates. His appointment has ensured continuity and stability in this important role.
During his tenure, the Committee is undertaking a root and branch review of the Code of Conduct for States’ Members, including consultation and consideration of how the framework can best support high standards while remaining clear and workable.
A further significant strand of work is the progression of the Latimer House Requête. Two workshops have been held with Members, and following feedback the working party continues to explore how the directions of the Requête can best enable the States of deliberation to function more effectively. The focus is strongly on pragmatic changes which assist Deputies in fulfilling their duties and serving the public more effectively.
In addition, the Committee is under resolution from the Machinery of Government Requête to examine the number of Deputies. That work will require careful consideration of representation, workload and the long-term sustainability of our parliamentary structures. The workstream will include a full consultation with Deputies.
The Committee also continues to address concerns regarding the broadcast quality of States meetings. We are working with the Royal Court to resolve hardware issues and to explore how the system can be improved, including consideration of the feasibility of visual broadcasting. Accessible, clear and reliable broadcasting is essential to transparency and public engagement.
In relation to the Rules of Procedure, the Committee intends to adopt an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach. We will bring forward targeted, practical refinements as improvements are identified, rather than wholesale changes which often result in protracted and complex debate. The Rules belong to the Assembly as a whole, and Members are encouraged to submit any suggestions they have for amendments to the rules with their rationale for such changes.
Finally, the Committee continues to take a forensic approach to the handover document from the previous term. We are pruning workstreams that do not demonstrate measurable benefit and will bring forward proposals to rescind or amend extant resolutions where appropriate. Our aim is to focus effort where it adds value and to ensure that officer resource is directed toward meaningful outcomes.
The Committee maintains an open door for any issues arising within its mandate and will continually seek pragmatic ways of supporting the States of Deliberation to work better and smarter in delivering for the public.
I thank Members for their attention and am happy to take any questions.