Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 27 February 2006

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1

Item 3 15.02.06

Briefing from the Treasury & Resources Department

The Panel received Mr Ian Black, Treasurer of the States and Mr. Julian  Morris,  Departmental  Scrutiny  Liaison  Officer  to  discuss briefing papers previously provided to the Panel on

1. the involvement of the Scrutiny Panel in the scrutiny of the States Annual Business Plan and Budget processes:

It was agreed that the Department would provide the Panel with papers regarding the resource allocation process once these  had  been  submitted  to  the  Council  of  Ministers  for consideration. It was also intended to provide Scrutiny with advance  copies  of  the  States  Annual  Business  Plan  and Budget proposals to provide a longer period for review by the Panel.

2. Fiscal Strategy developments.

The Panel agreed to receive copies of the minutes/actions and other  related  papers  from  meetings  of  the  Fiscal  Strategy Programme Board, together with copies of periodic progress reports, a copy of the Crown Agents contract and terms of reference and advance copies of consultation documents and draft legislation relating to GST and Income Tax changes.

DSLO

2

Item 3 15.02.06

Public meeting with Treasury and Resources Minister on 3rd March 2006

The  Panel  discussed  questions  to  be  put  to  the  Minister  for Treasury & Resources relating to:

1. The Fiscal Strategy, in particular 0/10 proposals and look through' arrangements. The Panel was aware that questions had been raised by the Shadow Scrutiny Panel in its report SR6/2005 and agreed to follow up these questions
2. The implementation of ITIS
3. Progress in the development of the States Property Holding department
4. The Departmental Business Plan 2006

The Chairman requested that an outline plan of questioning be prepared by its officers.

MH

3 Item 2

Age of consent review

The Panel received the proposed question plans for the Solicitor General.

15.02.06

The Panel, having noted that further correspondence from Mr. D. Pearce had been referred to the Solicitor General for legal advice,

agreed to invite him to attend a Public Hearing on the 3rd March.

SP

4

Item 2 03.02.06

Expert Adviser

The Chairman reported on his meeting with the Chairman of the JCRA  who  had  advised  that  someone  with  an  academic background in economic studies was likely to meet the Panel's requirements. The Scrutiny Officer reported on current progress in approaching universities and bodies such as the Institute of Fiscal Studies. The Panel requested that the Comptroller and Auditor General also be approached for advice on possible sources of independent advice.

The Panel agreed, in principle, an independent expert with a broad view of taxation policy and its international implications would add authority to any review it might undertake on fiscal strategy. It noted,  however,  that  an  expert  from  outside  the  island  would require time to become familiar with the Jersey context. It was also important that the person should be accessible and available to attend Panel meetings and hearings on a regular basis.

MH

5

AOB

1. The Panel noted a scrutiny proposal from Mr. B. Curtis , dated 1st  February  2006  regarding  the  operation  of  certain  non- resident trading companies under the proposed zero/ten tax measures. The Panel agreed to invite Mr. Curtis to discuss his ideas further.
2. The Panel having noted that previous drafts of the Strategic Plan had been received by the Scrutiny Office as requested noted that the Plan was to be published shortly. It agreed to request a briefing on the Plan from the Chief Minister.
3. The Panel also noted that a briefing for States members on the  Chief  Minister's  Department,  scheduled  for  3rd  March, clashed  with  its  meeting  with  the  Treasury  and  Resources Minister. As this Department was a key element in its remit, the Panel  requested  that  it  receive  this  briefing  on  a  different occasion.

Officers

Officers

Officers