Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 26 October 2006

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Agenda matter

Action

1.

Orchid Communications – The meeting with representatives of Orchid Communications was postponed until a later date, as a result of the States sitting overrunning. The Panel requested for the meeting to be rearranged.

MH

2.

Minutes – The Panel approved the minutes of the meetings held on  the  26th  September;  28th  September;  29th  September;  5th

October and the 16th October.

3.

Item 8b 28.09.06

Item 3 28.09.06 Item 1

29.09.06

Matters arising –

1. The Panel noted that the subject of public sector pensions was  on  the  future  work  programme  of  the  Public  Accounts Committee.

2. Away Day: The Panel agreed that they would pay for their own lunch.

3. The  Panel  approved  the  payment  of £3,000  plus disbursements  of £37.20  for  the  report  carried  out  by  Mr.  P. Seymour on GST and the sale of housing.

4.

Current reviews –

The Panel received briefing papers for the GST and the Zero/Ten reviews,  outlining  the  proposed  continuation  of  work  on  these topics.

The Panel agreed that both reviews had had a positive impact, and that it was vital for them to be continued, with a view to presenting final reports in advance of the States debates on the draft legislation, both of which were scheduled for January 2007.

5.

Future review topics –

1. Resource  implications  of  the  draft  Freedom  of Information Law – the Panel felt that this was a vital area which warranted investigation, however it was agreed that as  the  draft  Law  had  been  referred  back  to  the  Law draftsman for further consideration, it would not be viable to begin  a  review  until  the  Panel  had  access  to  the  latest version of the draft Law. The Panel therefore requested for a letter to be drafted to Connétable D.F. Gray, Chairman, Privileges and Procedures Committee, stating that the Panel would reassess this decision once they had received the final legislation.

2. Processes  involved  in  the  production  of  the  Annual

SP

States Business Plan – the Panel agreed that this was an important topic which it wanted to review to ensure that the process involved in producing the Annual States Business Plan  was  serving  all  States  members  well,  and  that  all members had access to information at the correct time. The Panel agreed that it would conduct this review as a full Panel, and contact the other Scrutiny Panels to ask for input once the terms of reference had been drafted.

c. Overseas Aid  budget – the Panel considered the topic proposal form from Mr K. Daly and it was agreed that this was a vital area which needed to be reviewed. The Panel agreed  to  form  a  Sub  Panel,  chaired  by  Senator  J.L. Perchard,  to  include   Connétable  J.L.S.  Gallichan; Connétable D Murphy and Deputy J. Gallichan. The Panel also requested for Connétable S.A. Yates to be contacted to establish whether he would be interested in being a member of  the  Sub  Panel. The  Panel  requested  for  a  scoping document and terms of reference to be drafted for the next full Panel meeting.

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SP

6.

Panel expenditure –

1. The Panel noted the expenditure spreadsheet for the 3rd quarter and the beginning of the 4th quarter 2006.

2. The  Panel  was informed  that  a  document  detailing  the Panel's expenditure to date on the Adviser for the two Fiscal Strategy reviews would be provided at its next meeting.

3. The Panel approved the proposed additional expenditure of £11,510 for the Zero/Ten and the GST reviews.

7.

Quarterly meeting with the Chief Minister –

The Panel proposed the following themes for discussion with the Chief Minister at the public meeting on the 9th November 2006:

1. Developing Jersey's International personality
2. Draft Freedom of Information Law
3. Overseas aid
4. Progress with the proposed Citizens' Panel
5. Economic consequences of an ageing population

It  was  also  agreed  that  there  should  be  an  opportunity  for spontaneous questions on topical issues and that members of the public should be invited to forward questions to the Panel.

The Panel requested for the Scrutiny Liaison Officer at the Chief Minister's Department to be contacted to inform the Chief Minister of the areas of discussion which would be raised at the meeting.

The  Panel  agreed  that  a  meeting  between  the  Chairman  and Orchid Communications should be organised, to help publicise the meeting.

MH/SP MH

8.

Population office –

The Panel received notes from the briefing between Deputy J. Gallichan; Deputy I. Gorst ; and Mr P Bradbury on the 12th October

2006.

9.

Future meeting dates –

Thursday 9th November 2006 (Blampied Room) –

9.00 am – Panel briefing (private session)

9.30 am – Public meeting with the Chief Minister

11.00 am – Panel meeting to discuss items to be raised at the joint