Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 20 September 2006

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.

Chairmen's Committee briefing sheet

The  Panel  received  a  briefing  sheet  from  the  Chairmen's Committee meeting of 8th September 2006.

The Panel noted that the Chairmen's Committee was to consider submissions  from  Public  Relations  Consultants  to  assist  the Scrutiny Department.

The Panel also noted that PPC did not seem to have taken any further action on the proposed increase in duration for Scrutiny to undertake the consideration of policy, or the reduction in lodging times for certain propositions from Scrutiny.

The Panel discussed the draft Code of Practice for Scrutiny. It was noted that the section which called for access to legal advice had been removed until such time as the issues surrounding it could be more fully understood. Access to legal advice was still considered to be essential to the proper operation of Scrutiny, however.

The Panel commented upon the value of receiving a briefing sheet of this nature.

2.

Financial Code of Direction 5.1

The  Panel  received  a  document  and  report  from  the  Scrutiny Manager  detailing  standardised  practice  in  relation  to  the engagement of consultants. This was intended to ensure that all Panels meet the criteria detailed in Financial Code of Direction 5.1.

The Panel noted the contents and agreed that it was essential to maintain financial accountability. The Panel also noted an example engagement brief and contract.

It was agreed that any future engagement of consultants would be undertaken in accordance with these directions.

3.

Item 4 8th August 2006

Fulfilment Review

The Panel received a briefing from the Chairman on the progress of the fulfilment review.

The  Chairman  informed  the  Panel  that  he  had  received  legal advice  from  a  private  Advocate,  and  that  this  had  contributed significantly to the progress of the review. Copies were distributed. Research and advice to the value of £4,000 had been undertaken, and it was noted that further work might be undertaken prior to the completion of the review, and the Panel agreed in principle to fund such work.

Possible procedural anomalies in relation to the recent appeal of an overseas retailer within the fulfilment industry were discussed.

The Chairman advised that Panel that he had received a reply to further questions passed to the Minister to clarify certain responses received  at  the  Public  Hearing  on  26th  July  2006.  He  did  not consider these to be sufficiently detailed and had passed them back to the Department seeking further clarification.

It was noted that due to staff availability and the timing of reviews, Nathan Fox was now lead officer for the fulfilment review. It was hoped that this review could be completed by, or during the week beginning, 2nd October 2006.

NJF

4.

Item  3 9th August 2006

Jersey Post incorporation – follow-up

The Chairman informed that Panel that he had written to the Jersey Competition  Regulatory  Authority  to  determine  if  they  were investigating the possible continuation of cross subsidy from Jersey Post to Offshore Solutions Limited. If this were to be the case, it would  be  a  breach  of Article  24  of  Jersey  Post's  licence. The Chairman had sought information on what steps would be taken if this was ongoing.

5.

Dairy Review

The  Panel  received  a  briefing  from  the  Vice-Chairman  on  the progress of the Economic Affairs sub-Panel (Dairy Review).

The Panel was informed that the sub-Panel has visited several dairy  farms  and  the  Jersey  Dairy,  as  well  as  the  consultants, Promar.

Numerous issues had been raised, including the structure of the Jersey Dairy, its relationship to the Jersey Milk Marketing Board, and the responsibilities of its States-appointed Directors.

The Panel was expecting to receive and interim report form Promar on 2nd October 2006.