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Investment Appraisal Board: 2 week notice period (P.25/2019) – amendment [P.25/2019 Amd.]

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STATES OF JERSEY

INVESTMENT APPRAISAL BOARD: 2 WEEK NOTICE PERIOD (P.25/2019) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 14th March 2019 by Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour

STATES GREFFE

2019  P.25 Amd.

INVESTMENT APPRAISAL BOARD: 2 WEEK NOTICE PERIOD (P.25/2019) – AMENDMENT

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For the words "Privileges and Procedures Committee, following consultation with the Council of Ministers, to bring forward amendments to the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey, for consideration by the Assembly no later than 4th June 2019," substitute the words "Council of Ministers to consult States Members on the appropriateness of"; and for the words "until there has been a 2 week notification period, similar to that relating to property transactions" substitute the words "for a period of time, or other appropriate safeguards that provide for democratic oversight of such expenditure allocations".

DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to request the Council of Ministers to consult States Members on the appropriateness of introducing a mechanism whereby the Minister for Treasury and Resources does not implement any recommendations made by the Investment Appraisal Board, or by any other bodies for allocating  money  not  otherwise  allocated  to  a  specific  head  of expenditure, for a period of time, or other appropriate safeguards that provide for democratic oversight of such expenditure allocations.

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P.25/2019 Amd.

REPORT

After receiving a briefing from Treasury officers, whom I thank for their time, there are some technical questions which might make it unwise for the Assembly to agree to my original proposition. For example, there may be a need for emergency expenditure where a 2-week delay would be problematic. There are also some issues around confidentiality of commercial contracts which conflict with the transparency I am calling for, although in principle, public expenditure ought to be as transparent as possible, and this should apply to one-off' contingency spending as much as to ongoing costs. I think there is a problem with the process. Should there be more oversight by the Council of Ministers – even if funding decisions are on the agenda for noting? My original proposal is more prescriptive than this amendment, which simply calls for a consultation. I have put it forward following feedback from the Department so the Assembly can express its view and make a choice.

Financial and manpower implications

There  are  no  additional  financial  or  manpower  implications  arising  from  this amendment.

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P.25/2019 Amd.