23 November 2016 | Comments
This morning there was a Special ExCO meeting, primarily to consider two Bills proposed for presentation as formal business at the Legislative Council meeting on Friday 9 December 2016.
The Governor recognised the considerable amount of work that had gone into the preparation of the Road Traffic Bill and commended Members and officials for their efforts over the past few years. Councillor Dr Corinda Essex was in attendance for this item as was Derek Henry, Acting Director of ENRD. The Bill aims to modernise the current law with, among other things, proposals for changes to the law in relation to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and the using of seat-belts.
The Chief of Police was also in attendance for this item. It was recognised that there had been considerable public debate about the compulsory wearing of seat-belts and this Bill had therefore been amended to enable Regulations to be introduced at a later stage. Council asked that there be targeted awareness campaigns to ensure the public were fully up to speed with the key issues and benefits in relation to the wearing of seat-belts.
It was also recognised that more work was needed to clarify the ages at which drivers would be allowed to apply for a licence for certain categories of vehicles. The Chief of Police agreed to work with Members on this issue. He assured Council that when the laws were brought into force his officers would seek to encourage compliance in the first instance – rather than immediate recourse to the full force of the law.
Council agreed that the Bill should go forward to Legislative Council on Friday 9 December 2016, and that further engagement with the public was necessary before some of the provisions of the Bill were brought into force.
In the second item on the Open Agenda, Council was advised that there had been further targeted consultation on The Customs & Excise (Amendment) Bill, and that following representations it had been agreed to make a minor amendment to the Bill – which would now also be presented to Formal Legislative Council on Friday 9 December 2016.
ExCo
23 November 2016
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