On 28 September 2001, after a historic debate lasting four consecutive days, the States of Jersey voted in favour of a proposition that the Island's present committee system of government be replaced by a ministerial system, combined with a system of scrutiny committees. This decision will implement what most commentators regard as the most important element of the proposals contained in the report of Sir Cecil Clothier's Review Panel on the Machinery of Government in Jersey (see Jersey Brief, Issue 18 - Spring 2001).
Once implemented, the system will operate by the States Assembly appointing from amongst its number a Chief Minister. The Chief Minister will then nominate a team of ministers who will form a Council of Ministers in whom, together with the Chief Minister, the executive functions of government will be vested. There will be not more than ten departments of government, each headed by a minister who, subject both to the consent of the Chief Minister and a limitation on
