The Chief Minister Designate has announced plans to create a dedicated Planning Minister as he unveiled his preferred line-up for the Island’s next Council of Ministers this morning.
Senator Lyndon Farnham confirmed that the new Minister for Planning and Regulation post will be carved out of the existing Environment portfolio, with Senator Mark Boleat set to be nominated for the new role.
The move is intended to give greater focus to planning policy while allowing the Environment Minister to concentrate on environmental protection, agriculture and marine affairs.
The proposal will require an Order under Article 29A of the States of Jersey Law before the new ministerial office can formally be established.
The announcement came as Senator Farnham confirmed his preferred ministerial team ahead of States meetings beginning on Monday, when Members will elect ministers for the new government.
Four ministers look set to remain in their existing portfolios. Senator Tom Binet has been nominated to continue as Health Minister, Senator Ian Gorst remains the choice for External Relations, Deputy Carolyn Labey is expected to continue as International Development Minister, and Constable Richard Vibert has been nominated to remain Children’s Minister.
Former Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat has been proposed as the new Environment Minister, with the expectation that planning responsibilities will transfer to Senator Boleat once the new office is created.
Senator Helen Miles, who topped the Island-wide poll in this month’s election, has been nominated to return as Home Affairs Minister after previously serving in the role before the change of government in January 2024.
Senator Alan Maclean is set to return to the role of Treasury Minister, while former States Member Deputy Gerald Voisin is Senator Farnham’s choice for the Economic Development portfolio.
Former Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf is lined up to become Infrastructure Minister, while Deputy Malcolm Ferey has been selected as Housing Minister.
Senator Elaine Millar, who served as Treasury Minister in Senator Farnham’s previous administration, has been nominated as Social Security Minister.
Reform Jersey is also expected to have representation around the Council of Ministers table, with Deputy Catherine Curtis selected as the Chief Minister Designate’s preferred candidate for Education Minister.
Senator Farnham confirmed his nominations exactly one week after he was elected unopposed as Chief Minister Designate, continuing in the role he has held since January 2024.
The ministerial elections begin when the States Assembly sits on Monday. States Members also have the opportunity to nominate their own preferred candidates for each ministerial role.
Candidates for contested ministerial positions will each deliver a speech of up to ten minutes and answer questions from Members for up to twenty minutes before a vote is held. Uncontested candidates must still address the Assembly and answer questions, but there will be no vote.
All successful candidates, including Senator Farnham, will retain the title of “designate” until the Council of Ministers has been fully constituted, which is expected by Monday afternoon or Tuesday.
IN FULL…
| Role | Candidate |
| Minister for Health and Social Services | Senator Tom Binet |
| Minister for Justice and Home Affairs | Senator Helen Miles |
| Minister for External Relations | Senator Ian Gorst |
| Minister for Social Security | Senator Elaine Millar |
| Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning | Deputy Catherine Curtis |
| Minister for Children and Families | Constable Richard Vibert |
| Minister for the Environment | Senator Mary Le Hegarat |
| Minister for Housing | Deputy Malcolm Ferey |
| Minister for Infrastructure | Deputy Jonathan Renouf |
| Minister for International Development | Deputy Carolyn Labey |
| Minister for Sustainable Economic Development | Deputy Gerald Voisin |
| Minister for Treasury and Resources | Senator Alan Maclean |
| Minister for Planning and Regulation (to be created) | Senator Mark Boleat |
