DOMESTIC abuse, carbon neutrality and empty properties will all be on the agenda at the final States sitting before June’s general election.
At the sitting beginning on Monday and expected to last at least until the end of the week, Jersey’s carbon neutral roadmap is to be outlined. The strategy includes policies on ending the importation, registration and sale of new petrol and diesel cars and small vans in 2030, stopping the installation of new oil, gas and coal boilers from 2026 and providing up to £3,500 purchase incentives on electric vehicles under £30,000.
Amendments have been lodged to the roadmap, including by Deputy Rob Ward, who is looking to take £1.4 million from the proposed budget for electric vehicle subsidies to put into walking and cycling initiatives, while the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel wants to see an independent scientific council set up to oversee the changes. However, a separate proposition from Senator Sarah Ferguson wants to see the drive to net-zero suspended until the war in Ukraine is ‘resolved’, due to what she said were the ‘detrimental’ impacts of net-zero policies on lower-income families as a result of Russia’s invasion and its impact on global energy prices.
The Island’s first specific domestic abuse law is also set to be debated. Home Affairs Minister Gregory Guida will introduce draft legislation to make domestic abuse a specific crime, with a punishment of up to five years in prison. The proposals will also crack down on ‘coercive and controlling’ behaviour and would also introduce requirements for offenders to notify the police of changes of address or name, if approved.
Deputy Montfort Tadier is asking Members to support his plans to discourage property owners from leaving flats and houses vacant for long periods, with his proposition calling for a scheme to be drawn up to ensure fewer properties are left empty.
Recent census figures have highlighted just how widespread the issue is, with 4,027 vacant private dwellings identified on census day in 2021, equivalent to 8.3% of the Island’s stock remaining empty in the midst of an ever-worsening housing crisis.
A ‘no-take’ zone in Portelet Bay will also be back before the States, which would make it an offence to remove a fish, shellfish or any other type of marine aquatic species from the bay. The proposal was called in for scrutiny after an almost unanimous vote in a previous sitting, but the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel has now given it the seal of approval, so it looks set to sail through the States next week.
Meanwhile, St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft has called on the Assembly to ensure that the Lido at Havre des Pas is properly maintained, including having its leaking roof repaired.
In addition, Environment Minister John Young, External Relations Minister Ian Gorst and Chief Minister John Le Fondré are due to face questions without notice.
