Chairmen's Committee - Approved Committee Minutes - 17 January 2006

Ref. back.

Agenda matter

Action

1.

09.01.06IItem 4

Receive a practical guide to Scrutiny booklet and consider publication and distribution method.

The  Committee  considered  the  proposed  printing options  and  methods  of  distribution.  It  discussed  the various options and was of opinion that the proposed booklet  whilst  requiring  some  amendment  may  not provide the correct information or be in an appropriate format to raise the profile of Scrutiny effectively. The effort of producing the document was noted but it was suggested  that  an  alternative  approach  may  reach  a wider audience and ensure increased value for money.

The Committee  decided that some  discussion should take place with the Communications Unit in an effort to secure  assistance  in  the  production  of  some  sort  of information booklet for distribution. Their advice on using other forms of media and the best format should also be sought.  It  was  suggested  that  a  half  or  full  page advertisement in the Jersey Evening Post may prove equally  effective  as  the  distribution  of  the  proposed booklet  at  a  lesser  cost.  The  option  of  a  page  of advertising in the Telecoms telephone directory should also be investigated as a potential option together with closing  dates  for  inclusion.  Costings  for  circulating information in some other publications such as Jersey Now  or  the  Consumer  Council  publication  should  be obtained.

It was agreed that any form of information circulation would not include a topic proposal form but that this should be made available on the Scrutiny Website. On a related matter it was agreed that the current Website would require further development to introduce a more interactive feel.

It was suggested that a reduced rate of postage should be negotiated and achievable if an information booklet was decided upon at a later date. It was noted that further  discussion  would  be  required  with  regard  to providing  any  such  information  booklet  in  other languages such as Portuguese.

KTF

The Booklet if used in the longer term would require the following amendments -

Inclusion under remit of PAC: a note explaining that  it would  publicise  its  own  hearings  in  due course;

Scrutiny website; a note about the submission form being available on it;

Open  process:  removal  of  bullet  point  2 expansion  of  1 to  explain  that  some  evening meetings will be held by some Panels at a variety of venues  at  which  the  public will  be  provided  an opportunity to participate

2

10.01.06 Item 2

Update  on  meeting  with  Chief  Minister,  Chief Executive  and  H.M.  Attorney  General  regarding access of Scrutiny to legal advice given to Ministers and legal advice to Scrutiny Panels.

It was noted that the draft protocol was being prepared by  the  Scrutiny  office  by  way  of  summary  of  the discussion  which  would  be  circulated  to  the  Chief Minister and H.M. Attorney General and that this should be  emailed  to  the  Committee  members  with  the Chairmen's revisions for information.

MH /KTF

3

Independent member reviews

The  Committee  discussed Scrutiny  members  also fulfilling  the  rôle  of  independent  member.  It  was suggested that in the best interest of communication, good  practice  and  courtesy,  any  Scrutiny  member undertaking an in depth independent review of a subject within  the  remit  of  its  own  or  another  Panel  should advise  the  relevant  Panel.  Whilst  some  members accepted this suggestion it was agreed that this should remain the decision of the individual member. It was accepted that the remit given to Panels was extensive and that individual members were more likely to address issues involving particular members of the public that had a specific problem or in pursuing areas which had been of concern to them for some time.

4

Update PAC

The Committee received an update from the Chairman of PAC and its investigation into the annual accounts of the  States  and any disparity with the original  budget proposals.

5

20.12.05 Item11

Update Social Panel

The Chairman of the Social Affairs Panel advised that the Social Security Minister would attend its meeting on 23rd January 2006 and that the meeting would be open to the public.