Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 11 January 2006

Item No.

Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes of the Meeting of 21st December 2005.

These  minutes  were  approved,  with  one  minor amendment.

NF

2.

Officers' meeting with Department

The Panel was informed that the Scrutiny Officers had met with Mr. M. King, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development  Department  [EDD],  and  Mr.  B.  Anthony, Liaison Officer on 10th January 2006.

The  officers  reported  that  the  meeting  had  been productive,  and  that  the  consensus  had  been  that  the Department would co-operate fully with the Panel, and looked forward to a positive working relationship.

It  was  noted  that  an  offer  had  been  made  to  include notification  on  EDD  consultation  documents  that submissions could be forwarded to Scrutiny if requested. The Panel agreed that this would be a positive approach and avoid duplication. Officers were requested to advise the  Department  that  the  offer  was  appreciated  and  a request would be made that this approach be taken for legislation and policy consultations.

3.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman

The Panel noted that Standing Order 135 (5) required the appointment  of  a  Vice-Chairman.  The  Committee accordingly appointed Deputy A. Breckon to this position.

4.

Items 1 and 2 -

Chairman's Committee meeting -10th January 2006

Chairman's  Committee  meeting  with  Chief  Minister and Attorney General – 10th January 2006

The  Panel  was  informed  that  the  Committee  had discussed  the  matter  of  legal advice,  and  that  H.M. Attorney General had agreed that if he were to remain the sole  provider  of  legal  advice  to  the  government,  as appeared likely, he would also provide legal advice to the

Scrutiny Panels on a confidential basis. That advice might or might not be the same advice as that provided to the Executive. A protocol outlining the terms of service would be developed.

Additionally, it was agreed that the Chief Minister was to make  himself  available  to  the  Chairman's  Committee when needed to discuss issues of concern or interest as they arose. A meeting was to be arranged with the Council of  Ministers  following  the  presentation  of  the  draft Strategic Plan to the States.

5.

Economic Development Department Legislation

The  Committee  considered  a  list  of  the  legislation administered by the Economic Development Department.

It  was  noted  that  legislation  in  respect  of  air  and  sea transport and the administration of Jersey Post were not included in the information provided.

Officers were directed to obtain this information from the Department as soon as possible.

CLQ and NF

CLQ and NF

6.

Work Programme for 2006

The Panel noted a broad range of possible review topics proposed by States members, officers and the public, to which  it  made  a  number  of  additions.  The  Panel  also received selection criteria for effective reviews. Members were requested to select three review topics which they considered  the  most  important,  in accordance  with the selection criteria, for the next meeting.

In order to obtain additional possible review topics, the Panel decided to write to industry bodies affected by the work of the Economic Development Department, as well as non-governmental organisations.

Members

CLQ and NF

7.

Date of next meeting

The Panel decided that its next meeting was to be held on 25th January 2006 at St. Saviour's Parish Hall . It was anticipated that the Minister would attend this meeting, and the Panel felt it appropriate that the meeting would be accessible to the public throughout.

Officers were directed to take the appropriate action.

CLQ and NF