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Social Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Meeting 24 [Public Session]
Date: 16th October 2006 Location: Le Capelain Room, States Building
Present Deputy F.J. Hill, B.E.M., Chairman
Deputy J.A. Martin, Vice Chairman Deputy D.W. Mezbourian
Deputy A.E. Pryke
Deputy S. Pitman
Apologies
Absent
In attendance Mrs. S. Watts and Ms. N. Mauger, Orchid Communications [Item 1a]
Mr. C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer Mr. W. Millow , Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter Action | |
[02/10/06, Item 2b] | 1. Orchid Communications
The Panel met Mrs. S. Watts and Ms. N. Mauger of Orchid Communications to consider the arrangements for the use by Scrutiny Panels of this company. The meeting was held in private session under Item 3.2.1(a)(xiv) of Code of Practice on Public Access to Official Information.
It was agreed that Orchid Communications would be sent a copy of the relevant agenda prior to each Panel meeting along with a copy of the Action Updates. It was further agreed that the media would also be sent copies of these documents. The Panel considered whether it would wish to make a media release in respect of the work it had undertaken during 2006. No firm decision on this matter was made. | |
| 2. Minutes The Panel deferred approval of the minutes of its meeting of 2nd October 2006. |
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[02/10/06, Item 2b] | 3. Scrutiny Away-Day It was noted that the programme which had been established for the away-day would allow for discussion of a broad number of topics. The Panel noted that attendance at the away-day was open to Members of Scrutiny Panels and Members of Scrutiny Sub-Panels which had not disbanded by the time of the away-day. |
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[02/10/06, Item 3] | 4. Centeniers in the Magistrate's Court It was noted that no response had been received to the Panel's requests (to the Parish of St. Helier and the States of Jersey Police) for information on the manpower and cost implications of their work undertaken in relation to the presentation of cases in the Magistrate's Court. It was agreed to follow up these initial | CA/WM |
| requests. It was noted that a similar request had been made to Connétable K. P. Vibert , Chairman of the Comité des Connétable s. The Chairman requested to receive copies of the transcripts of the Public Hearings held with Mr. I. Christmas, Assistant Magistrate, and Miss. T. Easton of the Crown Prosecution Service of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Panel noted that requests had been made for guidance on where political responsibility lay for the running of the court system. The Panel noted correspondence (dated 16th October 2006) from Mr. W. J. Bailhache QC, H.M. Attorney General, in relation to this matter. The Panel noted his advice that responsibility for promoting new legislation on this subject would primarily lie with the Minister for Home Affairs but that such promotion' would occur after consultation with H.M. Attorney General and the Council of Ministers. The Panel noted the following arrangements for Public Hearings: 30th October 2006 at 11:00am: Centenier J. Rigby of St. Saviour 1st November 2006 at 2:30pm: Mr. L. O'Donnell and Mr. G. Morris, Legal Advisors 6th November 2006 at 10:30am: Mr. W.J. Bailhache QC, H.M. Attorney General It was noted that a request had been received to provide Messrs. O'Donnell and Morris with a copy of the questions to be asked at their Hearing. It was agreed to send them a list of the topics the Panel intended to cover at the Hearing. It was further agreed to send H.M. Attorney General a list of topics that would be covered during his Hearing with the Panel. The Panel recalled that Centenier M. P. L'Amy had undertaken (at the Public Hearing of 21st September 2006) to supply the Panel with information. It was agreed to write to Centenier L'Amy in respect of this undertaking. | CA/WM CA/WM |
[02/10/06, Item 2a] | 5. Social Policy Sub-Group The Panel noted it had not received a response to its request for a full copy of Social Policy Framework for Jersey. |
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[02/10/06, Item 7] | 6. HMP La Moye The Panel recalled it had received copies of the draft report relating to HMP La Moye at its meeting on 2nd October 2006. It was agreed that the Panel would await publication of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) before it completed this report. The Panel noted an answer given by Senator W. Kinnard, Minister for Home Affairs, to a question in the States on 12th September 2006 in which she indicated that "a presentation [on the Plan would] be made to the Council of Ministers on 19th October [2006]." It was further noted that this presentation would be "followed by a briefing to scrutiny and States' Members later in the month." It was agreed to await the consideration of the Council of Ministers before asking for an update on progress. The Panel was advised that the Chairman received copies of the Part B agenda of |
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the Council's meetings: it was agreed he would send a copy of the BH Part B agenda for 19th October 2006 to the rest of the Panel.
[02/10/06, 7. GP Out-of-Hours
Item 5] The Panel noted a request would be made for information relating
to the performance review of the co-operative out-of-hours service undertaken by the Department of Health and Social Services.
The Panel set aside the afternoon of 27th October 2006 for Public Hearings with Senator S. Syvret, Minister for Health and Social Services, and Dr. B. Perchard.
8. Matters Arising and Action Updates
[04/09/06, Deputy Pryke advised the Panel that the Economic Affairs Sub- Item 2a] Panel (Dairy Review) had received a copy of the draft report
produced by PROMAR consultants. The Sub-Panel would consider the draft report during the ensuing week.
[02/10/06, 9. Income Support
Item 4] The Panel noted that the Sub-Panel had presented Interim Report
– Delivery of Income Support: Structure to the States. It was advised that the Sub-Panel would be unable to produce its final report before the beginning of 2007.
Consideration was given to the amount that would be allotted to the Income Support scheme to counter the impact of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on people on a low income. The Panel noted no indication had yet been given regarding the precise manner in which this money would be used.
The Panel was advised that the Sub-Panel had corresponded with H.M. Attorney General regarding the potential use of the Health Insurance Fund to absorb the proposed 3% GST applied to GP visits and prescriptions. Consideration was given to the financial and legal implications of this possibility. It was noted that the Sub- Panel would send further correspondence to H.M. Attorney General.
[02/10/06, 10. Overdale Hospital
Item 6] The Panel was advised that Senator S. Syvret, Minister for Health
and Social Services, had attended a Public Hearing on 13th October 2006. It was noted that the Sub-Panel intended to hold no further Public Hearings for this review.
The Panel was advised that more than forty written submissions had been received in relation to this review. It was further advised that the Sub-Panel hoped to produce it report by mid-November 2006 although it was still awaiting the receipt of certain information.
The Panel considered the remit of the Department of Property Holdings in relation to the manner in which States-owned property CA/WM was identified for sale. It was agreed to request clarification from
the Department regarding this matter.
[02/08/06, 11. Youth Service
Item 6] The Panel recalled that Senator M. E. Vibert , Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, had indicated that the new draft
strategy for the Youth Service would be given to the Panel as soon as the Minister had received it. It was noted that nothing had been received from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. It
was agreed to write to the Minister to request an update on CA/WM progress.
12. Future Meetings
The Panel noted it would next meet at 9:30am on Monday 30th October 2006.
Signed Date ..
Chairman, Social Affairs Panel