THE Chief Minister has been accused of breaking the ministerial code by a former senior politician who helped introduce it after she expressed her disappointment over a decision made by one of her own assistant ministers.
Last week, it was revealed that Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune had gone against the recommendation of a planning inspector in rejecting plans for the multi-million-pound Les Sablons development between Broad Street and Commercial Street.
In an unusual move, Chief Minister Kristina Moore then released a statement which said: “I am extremely disappointed to learn that the Les Sablons project has been rejected at this stage, particularly given that it has been recommended for approval by an independent planning inspector.
“This is an important development for St Helier and the Island, improving an area of our town and providing hundreds of much-needed homes.
“Such decisions will not help us to enhance our urban environment, alleviate the housing crisis or support the construction industry at a difficult time – all important priorities for the government.”
This intervention has been criticised by former Planning Committee chairman Alastair Layzell, who argues in today’s JEP on page 14 that, in doing so, the Chief Minister broke the ministerial code, something he had helped to introduce when he was a States Member.
Mr Layzell not only defends Deputy Jeune’s right to make the decision she did, but also accuses the Chief Minister of interfering in the planning process, which is set out in law and defined by the policies of the Island Plan.
However, Deputy Moore has defended her actions following the decision.
She said: “I made my comments in response to the numerous messages I received from colleagues, business leaders and Islanders expressing disappointment at the decision.”
She added: “I am leading a government which is committed to improving St Helier, delivering new homes and supporting investment in the Island.
“Unfortunately, this decision did not align with our priorities or the advice of the independent planning inspector.
“I therefore think it was appropriate for the Chief Minister to re-state the government’s priorities and to make clear that, looking forward, the government would work together to support our collective policy objectives.
“I do not believe that I broke the ministerial code in making my comments and, by making them after the decision had been made, I clearly did not intervene in the planning process or the planning law.
“Indeed, my comments made clear that the planning application process is set out in the Planning and Building Law, and it is not legally possible for the Chief Minister to intervene in that process or to alter decisions that are made.”
