Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 14 April 2006

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Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes – The Panel approved the Minutes of the meetings held on 24th and 30th March 2006.

2.

Quarterly financial report

1. Panel's expenditure for first three months – The Panel noted this document.

2. Expenditure on the Age of Consent review – The Panel noted this document.

3.

Chairman's report - The Panel received notes of the weekly briefing meeting with Chairman, dated 5th April 2006.

4.

Item 6 30.03.06

Draft States Strategic Plan

The Panel received the update report from Deputy Gallichan. As a result of the workload involved with the Panel's scrutiny of the Fiscal Strategy, it was agreed to confine its analysis of the draft Strategic Plan solely to the proposed financial framework, which would be linked to the scrutiny of the States Business Plan and Budget.

The  Panel  raised  several  questions  concerning  the  proposed financial framework, and requested for a Public Meeting to be

arranged with the Minister for Treasury and Resources on the 18th May 2006 in order for these questions to be addressed. The

Panel agreed that a scoping document highlighting the rationale and objectives of this review should be drafted, and reported to the Chairmen's Committee meeting on 20th April 2006.

SP SP

5.

Scrutiny Topic Proposals

1. Civil Partnerships – The Panel agreed that this was a matter for consideration by the Minister for Home Affairs or the  Legislation  Advisory  Panel  rather  than  a  Scrutiny Panel.

2. Tax allowances for non-married couples – The Panel requested  for  a  response  to  be  drafted  to  Mr  Romeril stating that it had conducted preliminary enquiries into this issue, however as it had now finalised its work programme it will be unable to take this matter any further.

SP SP

6.

Communication flow from Chairmen's Committee to Panels –

The Panel agreed that it would like to receive a briefing paper highlighting  the  main  points  discussed  and  any  action  points arising from the Chairmen's Committee meetings.

The  Panel  also  made  the  following  comments  based  on  the contents  of  the  example  Chairmen's  Committee  briefing  sheet

provided, dated 24th March 2006:

Scrutiny Website Action Group (SWAG)

Deputy Gallichan agreed to become a member of SWAG. Comptroller and Auditor General – advice to Scrutiny

The  Panel  agreed  that  it  would  welcome  the  C&AG's  advice, specifically in terms of queries it had with regard to the financial framework of the draft Strategic Plan. Officers to draft a letter acknowledging this, and requesting a mutually convenient meeting date.

MH

7.

Correspondence

1. Jersey Finance Limited – The Panel noted this correspondence.

2. Deputy David Jones – The Panel noted this correspondence.

8.

Item 5 a 24.03.06

Item 5 b 24.03.06

Item 5 c 24.03.06

Fiscal Strategy Reviews

1. Goods and Services Tax – draft Law –

The Panel received and approved the scoping document; estimate of resource requirements; and the draft timetable for this review. The Panel was also provided with draft terms of reference, and agreed  that  the  Chairman  and   Connétable  Gallichan  should amend these, and contact Mr R Teather for his advice on their

content, before the Chairmen's Committee meeting on the 20th April 2006.

2. Look Through' arrangements -

The  Panel  received  the  scoping  document  and  estimate  of resource requirements for this review. The Panel considered the possibility  of  a  joint  call  for  evidence  with  the  Treasury  & Resources Department, but decided that the Panel should call for evidence independently, in addition to requesting access to all information received from the Treasury & Resources Department consultation exercise. Further to this amendment being made to the scoping document, the Panel approved both documents.

3. Engagement of an expert adviser

1. The Panel was informed that Mr R Teather had been appointed as the expert adviser, and that his agreement was  in the  process  of  being  drafted,  following  advice received from Mrs. A. Belhomme, Principal Auditor, States of Jersey.

2. The Panel agreed that all States Members should now be informed of this appointment.

4. Meetings with relevant consultation organisations

1. Jersey Bankers Association – The Panel was informed that Senator Perchard and a Scrutiny Officer would be attending a meeting on the 19th April 2006 to discuss the

two fiscal strategy reviews.

2. Jersey Association of Trust Companies – The Panel requested that this organisation be added to the list of contacts.

5. Use of Sub Panels

i. The  Panel  received  a  copy  of  an  email  sent  from  a Scrutiny  Officer  to  Senator  Perchard,  highlighting  the

Chairman & Connétable Gallichan

SP MH KTF MH MH

problems involved with non-elected members being brought onto  a  Sub  Panel,  especially  with  regard  to  questions being asked at Public Hearings. The Panel was informed that the draft protocol for the use of Sub Panel's was being discussed at the Chairmen's Committee meeting on

the 20th April 2006.

2. GST Sub Panel - The Chairman informed the Panel that he was in the process of contacting several other States Members to establish whether they would be interested in joining this Sub Panel.
3. Look through Sub Panel – The Panel noted that Senator Perchard wished to invite the following members to join this Sub Panel:

Deputy P Ryan Senator J Perchard Deputy J Gallichan Senator B Shenton Deputy G Southern

He also wished to invite Mr B Curtis to assist the Panel in the capacity of an adviser (unpaid). The Panel deferred approval of this matter until its next meeting on the 5th May 2006.

f. Presentation from the Minister for Treasury & Resources

The Panel was informed that the Treasury and Resources Minister would be providing it with a presentation on 20 means 20; look through arrangements; 0/10 corporate taxation; and consultation

on the treatment of the financial services industry, on the 12th May 2006 at 11.30 am. The Panel was also informed that the Minister

had  been  requested  to  make  the  papers  for  this  presentation available to the Panel in advance of the 5th May 2006.

Chairman

9.

Scrutiny of States Business Plan and Budget

The Panel deferred this matter until its next meeting on the 5th May 2006.

10.

Dates of future meetings –

The Panel confirmed the future meeting dates on 5th, 12th and 18th May 2006, and agreed that as Mr R Teather was being asked to attend the meeting on Friday 12th May, it should last all day,

with the following timetable:

9 am – 11 am – GST Sub Panel meeting

11.30 am – 1 pm – Presentation from Treasury & Resources Minister

1.30 pm – 4 pm – Look through Sub Panel meeting

11.

Item 7 30.03.06

AOB

1. Questions from the public to Ministers

The  Panel  acknowledged  the  draft  press  release  that  had been drafted by the Communications Unit, together with draft guidelines prepared by the Scrutiny Officer and noted that this initiative would be reported to the Chairmen's Committee, on

the 20th April 2006.

2. Public Engagement

Deputy  Gallichan  also  raised  concerns  regarding  public engagement, which the Chairman agreed to raise with the Chairmen's Committee. Deputy Gallichan agreed to prepare a

Deputy Gallichan