Legislation Advisory Panel Appointment of members.

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A decision made (16.03.2006)to appoint 4 states members to the Legislation Advisory Panel.

Subject:	Legislation Advisory Panel: appointment of members
Decision Reference:	MD-C-2006-0014		Exempt clause(s):	n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):	-
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	-		Report File ref:	-
Written report – Title	Legislation Advisory Panel: appointment of members
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Jeremy Harris, Policy Adviser
Decision(s): To approve a draft report and proposition recommending the appointment of the following States members to the Legislation Advisory Panel - · Senator Jim Perchard · Senator Ben Shenton · Connétable Derek Gray · Deputy Andrew Lewis
Reason(s) for decision: Although the approval of the States is not obligatory, it is felt that it would be desirable to seek the support of States members, particularly as the members of the Panel will be drawn from both the executive and non-executive arms of the Assembly.
Action required: JH to contact the States Greffe to arrange for the report and proposition to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ on or before 21st March for consideration by the States on 4th April 2006.
Signature: Deputy Chief Minister		Date of Decision:

Legislation Advisory Panel Appointment of members.

REPORT TO CHIEF MINISTER

LEGISLATION ADVISORY PANEL: APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

1. Introduction

The Chief Minister is asked to approve a draft report and proposition which recommends the appointment of four States members to the Legislation Advisory Panel.

2. Background

In July 2002 the States approved a proposition of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the ‘Machinery of Government: Proposed Departmental Structure and Transitional Arrangements’ (P.70/2002, as amended). In approving this proposition, the States agreed that the Legislation Committee should remain in place during the transitional period, and that consultation should take place with the Legislation Committee in order to establish how its functions should be carried out once the ministerial system came into effect.

This consultation subsequently took place, and it was agreed that matters which were the responsibility of the Legislation Committee should be transferred to the Chief Minister, and that an Advisory Panel should be appointed to advise the Chief Minister on these matters. It was also agreed that this body should be chaired by an Assistant Minister and should consist of States members drawn from both the executive and non-executive arms of the Assembly, including representation from the Comité des Connétables (for the purposes of advancing parochially important legislation).

Connétable Ken Vibert has agreed to serve as the Chairman of the Advisory Panel, and he has been consulted about the proposed choice of members. This has resulted in a list of four nominees, and it is proposed that these should be submitted to the States for appointment. Although the approval of the States is not obligatory, it is suggested that it would be desirable to seek the support of the Assembly, particularly as the members of the Panel will be drawn from both the executive and non-executive arms of the Assembly.

The following States members have indicated that they would be willing for their names to go forward for appointment –

· Senator Jim Perchard

· Senator Ben Shenton

· Connétable Derek Gray

· Deputy Andrew Lewis

3. Recommendation:

A draft report and proposition is attached for your approval. Subject to this approval, it is proposed that it should be lodged ‘au Greffe’ on or before 21st March for consideration by the States on 4th April 2006.

J.M.E. Harris,

Policy Adviser

13th March 2006

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

to appoint the following persons as members of the Legislation Advisory Panel –

· Senator James Leslie Perchard

· Senator Ben Edward Shenton

· Connétable Derek Frederick Gray

· Deputy Andrew David Lewis

CHIEF MINISTER

REPORT

1. In July 2002 the States approved a proposition of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the ‘Machinery of Government: Proposed Departmental Structure and Transitional Arrangements’ (P.70/2002, as amended). In approving this proposition, the States agreed that the Legislation Committee should remain in place during the transitional period, and that consultation should take place with the Legislation Committee in order to establish how its functions should be carried out once the ministerial system came into effect.

2. This consultation subsequently took place, and it was agreed that matters which were the responsibility of the Legislation Committee should be transferred to the Chief Minister, and that an Advisory Panel should be appointed to advise the Chief Minister on these matters. It was also agreed that this body should be chaired by an Assistant Minister and should consist of States members drawn from both the executive and non-executive arms of the Assembly, including representation from the Comité des Connétables (for the purposes of advancing parochially important legislation).

3. As reported in the recently published report on ‘Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministers and Assistant Ministers’ (R.23/2006), I am pleased to advise members that one of my two Assistant Ministers, Connétable Ken Vibert, has agreed to be the Chairman of this new Advisory Panel.

4. Although there is no requirement to bring the appointment of members to the States, I feel that there would be benefit in doing so, particularly as the membership of the Panel will be drawn from both the executive and non-executive arms of the Assembly. I am pleased to report that four States members have been approached in this connection, and all of them have indicated that they would be willing for their names to go forward. They are as follows -

· Senator Jim Perchard

· Senator Ben Shenton

· Connétable Derek Gray

· Deputy Andrew Lewis

5. This group will include two members from the executive (Deputy Andrew Lewis, together with Connétable Ken Vibert), as well as representation from the Comité des Connétables (Connétables Derek Gray and Ken Vibert). I am particularly pleased that Connétable Gray has agreed to be nominated as a member, as he was previously the President of the Legislation Committee and will therefore be able to bring his experience and knowledge to the Panel. I would also like to thank the three recently-elected members (Senators Jim Perchard and Ben Shenton, together with Deputy Lewis) for agreeing to allow their names go forward for this particular role.

6. Subject to approval by the States, it is proposed that the Advisory Panel will meet on a regular basis to consider matters that were formerly dealt with by the Legislation Committee. These include legislation relating to the courts and court procedures, probate, wills and succession, and customary law. It is envisaged that any recommendations from the Advisory Panel will be forwarded to the Chief Minister and brought to the States as appropriate.

Financial and manpower implications

7. This proposition has no additional financial and manpower implications. The Advisory Panel will be supported by a Committee Clerk from the States Greffe, and will receive advice from the Attorney General and Law Draftsman, who will be invited to attend its meetings.

CHIEF MINISTER