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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel
21st December 2005
Le Capelain Room, States Building
Present Deputy G. P. Southern , Chairman
Connétable M. K. Jackson
Deputy A. Breckon
Apologies Deputy J. A. Martin
Absent Deputy K. C. Lewis
In attendance Deputy S. Power
Kay Tremellen-Frost, Scrutiny Manager Carol Le Quesne, Scrutiny Officer Nathan Fox, Scrutiny Officer
Item No | Agenda matter | Action |
1 | Possible Review Topics The Panel considered a list of background documents for possible further reviews, consisting of Strategy documents regarding: the commercial operation of the airport; the Rural Economy Strategy; the Tourism Strategy; and the Financial Strategy of the Economic Development Department. The Panel agreed to consider the documents before the next meeting in order that members could bring forward their suggestions for review topics at that time. Pro-forma suggestion sheets were distributed, to be completed and forwarded to the Scrutiny office during the first week in January. The Panel requested a list of the legislation administered by the Economic Development Department for its next meeting. | CLQ and NF Members CLQ and NF |
2 | Contact with the Economic Development Department The Panel noted that a meeting had been scheduled between the Scrutiny Officers and the Departmental Liaison Officer for Monday 19th December 2005, but that it had been cancelled due to illness. This was to be rescheduled. A list of Economic Development Department staff and their responsibilities had been provided for reference, although the Department had stated that the current departmental reorganisation would result those details being changed in due course. | CLQ and NF |
3 | Meeting with Department The Panel agreed that it should seek a meeting with the Economic Development Minister and the appropriate officers at the earliest | CLQ |
| opportunity, and that an invitation should be extended to him for the Panel meeting of 11th January 2006. It was agreed that the Minister should be advised that this would be a public meeting. Officers were directed to extend this invitation to the Minister. |
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4 | Protocols and Guidelines The Panel received protocols and guidelines in respect of the manner in which its meetings were to be conducted. The Panel agreed that all communication with the media would be carried out through the Chairman, and that officers of the Economic Development Department would be approached only through the Scrutiny Officers. Documents: Guidelines for officers attending Scrutiny Panels; Information to be considered sensitive for the purposes of presenting to a Scrutiny Panel / the Public Accounts Committee; Media and member protocols; Witness protocols; Guidelines for Panel members: Call for evidence and approach to witnesses; Members of the public: conduct at public hearings. |
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5 | Co-option of Deputy S. Power The Panel welcomed Deputy S. Power, Environment Panel to discuss the current situation of the Island's sea transport links. Deputy Power informed the Panel that he considered the sea links to be vital public amenities, and that the transport situation was deteriorating due to the problems encountered by Emeraude Ferries, partly as a result of the decision to allow Condor Ferries to compete for business on the northern route. He felt that it was important that the Panel undertake a review into the matter. The Chairman had originally intended to co-opt Deputy Power onto the Panel for the duration of such a review, but it was noted that Standing Orders relevant to Panel membership did not include the possibility of co-option. As the Panel membership comprised maximum membership it would not be possible to include Deputy Power as a participant in any review by the Panel. It would however be possible according to Standing Orders to form a sub-Panel which could include the Deputy . The Panel received correspondence from the Greffier of the States which outlined problems that could be encountered due to perceived conflicts of interest in the matter. Deputy Power agreed to discuss this matter with the Greffier of the States. The Panel recognised the value of Deputy Power's experience, and the Chairman expressed the hope that he would be able to assist by attending on the Panel as a witness in the event that the Panel considered the matter. Connétable M. Jackson informed the Committee that his related interests were limited to marine leisure only, and that he was therefore not conflicted in this respect. |
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The Panel decided that it did would hold the matter in abeyance and reserved its position on any future review.
6 Public Access to Panel meetings
The Panel considered public access to future meetings, and decided that unless confidential matters were to be considered, future meetings of the Panel were all to be open to the public.
Further Panel meetings were to be held on alternate Wednesdays on those weeks in which the States did not sit.
The Committee also discussed various means by which it could
inform and engage with the public. MJ, CLQ and
NF
The Panel also decided that it would allow greater public
involvement in the Scrutiny process if meetings were held in
different locations around the island. The Panel accepted
Connétable Jackson 's offer of the use of St. Brelade 's Parish Hall
for the next meeting on 11th January 2006.
Signed Chairman: Deputy G. P. Southern