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WQ.436/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. JOHN
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2021
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2021
Question
Given that, at the last meeting of the States Assembly the Minister stated that the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (S.T.A.C.) is now meeting fortnightly, will the Minister state –
- when the move to fortnightly meetings was made;
- how the change in frequency was communicated and to whom; and
- the dates of all S.T.A.C. meetings since the beginning of August; and
Will the Minister further advise whether it is his assessment that S.T.A.C. receives sufficient support from the States Greffe and, if so, will he clarify what is the main cause of any delay in the publication of S.T.A.C. minutes?
Answer
As stated in the Terms of Reference for the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC): "The Chair determines the frequency of STAC meetings, but the cell will usually meet in person at least weekly during the initial response phase of an emergency, adjusting the frequency as required." As we move beyond the initial response phase of the pandemic, the Chair is expected to continue to adjust the frequency of meetings and determine when STAC needs to convene. The Chair generally determines on a weekly basis whether STAC needs to convene in the coming days and this is communicated to members of the Cell.
STAC has met on the following dates: 2nd, 16th and 23rd August; 6th and 13th September; 4th, 11th and 25th October.
As stated previously in WQ.305/2021, I am not aware that the States Greffe has any significant resource constraints affecting the professional service provided in the production of STAC minutes. Also as stated previously in WQ.305/2021, and as noted in the Chief Minister's response (S.R.7 Res) to the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel's interim report on the Covid-19 Response and Recovery (S.R.7 2021) (presented 24 May), STAC minutes are published as soon as practical, whilst upholding the safe space to debate live issues.