States Assembly | Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes

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Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel

25th meeting dated 9th November 2006

Present Deputy P J D Ryan, Chairman

Senator J L Perchard, Vice-Chairman Connétable J L S Gallichan Connétable D Murphy (for item 1 only) Deputy J Gallichan

In attendance Mr M Haden, Scrutiny Officer

Miss S Power, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back	Agenda matter	Action
1.	Public Hearing with the Chief Minister The Panel received the Chief Minister, the Chief Executive, together with a Research and Project officer to discuss the progress of certain matters in the Chief Minister's departmental Business Plan.
2.	Minutes - The Panel approved the minutes of the meeting held on 26th October 2006.
3. Item 7 26.10.06 Item 8 26.10.06 Item 9 26.10.06	Matters arising Orchid Communications - The Panel agreed that it was more appropriate for Orchid to develop their public engagement role rather than spending time preparing press releases. The Panel requested for the meeting that had been postponed with Orchid Communications on the 26th October to be rearranged for the Panel meeting scheduled for the 23rd November 2006. Population office - The Panel noted that Deputy Gallichan had received certain papers relating to the development of the Population Office, on the basis that these papers would remain confidential to the Corporate Services Panel. Accordingly she had refused requests from another Panel Chairman who wished to view the papers. The Panel was firmly of the view that such requests for confidential papers in the possession of a Scrutiny Panel should be directed to the relevant Ministers. The Panel requested that its view be communicated to the Chairmen's Committee. Scrutiny Public meeting - The Panel expressed the view that the public meeting scheduled for 23rd November 2006 should be deferred pending further work on establishing the identity of Scrutiny. It was not considered that there were any pressing public issues which would warrant such a meeting at this time. The Panel requested that this view be communicated to the Chairmen's Committee.	SO KTF KTF
4. Item 5c 26.10.06	Review of Jersey's Overseas Aid The Panel considered a scoping document prepared by the Scrutiny Officer for a review commencing in November 2006 with an expected completion date in March 2007. The Panel approved the draft terms of reference and estimated expenditure of £800 on advertising and transcription costs and requested that the Chairmen's Committee be informed accordingly. The Panel requested for a letter to be drafted to Deputy Huet, Chairman, Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, informing her of the review, and agreed to request a written submission from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission	KTF SP

5. Communication issues

Chairmen's Committee - The Panel welcomed the intention toprovide information directly to all Scrutiny members on mattersdiscussed by the Chairmen's Committee. The Panel expressed theview that this would help to improve understanding and allow allScrutiny members to have a more effective input into these matters.
Lunchtime meetings - The Panel agreed that it was importantto set aside time more often to discuss issues emanating from theChairmen's Committee particularly those regarding the developmentof an identity for Scrutiny and its relationship with the Executive. ThePanel decided that it would meet regularly once a month for thispurpose during the lunch break on States sittings on a Tuesday.These meetings would also enable the Chairman to updatemembers on developments between formal Panel meetings
Panel meetings - The Panel requested that a schedule of SO monthly meetings be planned for 2007. It was recognised that additional meetings would be arranged on an ad hoc basis to meet

the requirements of specific reviews. It was agreed to start meetings

at 9.30 and for any public hearings to begin at 10am to allow SO adequate time for preparation.

Forthcoming legislation - The Panel agreed that any draftlegislation within its remit should be considered on its agenda beforethe scheduled date for debate in the States.

6 Any other business

Concern was expressed at the views attributed to the Chairman in an article in the Jersey Evening Post on 3rd November 2006 regarding the lack of attention paid to Scrutiny by Ministers. The Chairman explained that his comments had been misconstrued and that he had taken up the matter with the Editor. The Panel decided that a formal correction should be required of the newspaper.

Signed Date . ..

Chairman, Corporate Services Panel

Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 9 November 2006