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Social Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Meeting 21
Date: 4th September 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
Apologies Deputy S. Pitman
Absent
In attendance Mr. C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer
Mr. W. Millow , Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter Action | |
[22/08/06, Item 1d] | 1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
The Panel noted receipt of the notes of its meetings of 2nd August 2006 with Ministers in relation to Annual Business Plan 2007 (P.92/2006). It requested that a reference be inserted to record that the Panel had informed Senator S. Syvret, Minister for Health and Social Services, of the impending review relating to Overdale Hospital. It was advised that the minutes of 2nd August 2006 referred to this action. CA/WM
The Panel agreed to defer consideration of the minutes of its meeting of 22nd August 2006. | |
| 2. Matters Arising and Action Updates a) Matters Arising The Panel noted receipt of Report on Issues Receiving Immediate Attention within the Home Affairs Remit. It was advised that Deputy A.E. Pryke had received a copy of the report from Senator F.H. Walker , Chief Minister. Deputy Pryke advised the Panel that the Economic Affairs Sub- Panel (Dairy Review) was due to meet the Promar consultants. The Panel was advised that an advert had been placed (at the behest of the Chairmen's Committee) for a consultancy service to be offered to the Scrutiny function: the Committee had felt it would be inappropriate to use the Communications Unit. The Panel was further advised that the Public Engagement Group (PEG) would hold interviews on 15th September 2006 and draw up a shortlist of applicants that would subsequently appear before the Chairmen's Committee. It was noted that the Chairmen's Committee would meet on 8th September 2006. As both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman were unable to attend, it was agreed that Deputy D.W. Mezbourian would represent the Panel at the meeting. It was further agreed that the Chairman would inform the Committee of this arrangement. | BH |
It was noted that the Chairmen's Committee would consider (amongst other matters) the following subjects:
Draft Code of Practice
Joint Scrutiny Public Meeting
Scrutiny Away-Day.
The Panel was advised that the idea of an away day had been mooted as a means to improve communication between members of Scrutiny.
The Panel was advised that the Department of Home Affairs had CA/WM asked whether the Panel would wish to consider reviewing the draft
Crime (Disorderly Conduct and Harassment) (Jersey) Law 200-. It
was agreed to request a copy of the draft law before giving the
matter further consideration.
The Panel noted that Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee (P.101/2006) had been lodged for debate by the States. It further noted that H.M. Attorney General, Mr. W.J. Bailhache had presented comments on the proposition.
b) Action Updates
The Panel noted updates on actions requested at its previous meetings.
[22/08/06, 3. Rôle of the Centenier in the Magistrate's Court Item 3] a) General Matters
The Panel recalled the visit it had undertaken on 31st August and 1st September 2006 to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of CA/WM Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It agreed to send a letter of
thanks. The Chairman thanked the Officers for their work in
preparing the visit.
The Panel noted it had not been able to procure a copy of the [22/08/06, report produced by the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure
Item 2a] established in 1978 (i.e. the Philips Report). It noted that members
of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight CPS had offered to locate a copy for the Panel. It further noted the possibility of obtaining a copy from the CPS library.
The Panel noted that an article in the Jersey Evening Post on 2nd September 2006 had indicated the dissatisfaction of the Assistant Magistrate, Mr. I. Christmas, with the length of time it had been necessary for people to wait to have their cases to be heard in the Magistrate's Court.
CA/WM It was agreed to write to the Parish of St. Helier and to the States of
Jersey Police to request information on the manpower and cost
implications of the work undertaken regarding the presentation of
cases in the Magistrate's Court.
CA/WM
b) Public Hearings
The Panel agreed to invite the following to attend a Public Hearing:
| Senator W. Kinnard, Minister for Home Affairs, to a Public Hearing Ms. T. Easton, CPS of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight The Panel noted arrangements of Hearings on 19th and 21st September 2006. It further noted that no arrangements had been made for the Hearings with H.M. Attorney General, Mr. W.J. Bailhache , and the Assistant Magistrate, Mr. I. Christmas. It was agreed that further Hearings could be held during the week beginning 2nd October 2006 (with the exception of 4th October 2006). The Panel agreed it would meet all day on 18th September 2006 in order to prepare for its Public Hearings. | CA/WM |
[22/08/06, Item 4] | 4. Income Support It was recalled that the Sub-Panel would produce an interim report before the States debate on Draft Income Support (Jersey) Law 200- (P.102/2006). |
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[22/08/06, Item 2a] [22/08/06, Item 5] | 5. GP Out-of-Hours It was noted that Deputy A.E. Pryke had not been contacted by a GP interested in addressing the Panel on this topic. The Panel recalled that the initial request had been made by the GP in question and agreed to take no further action pending a further approach from the GP. The Panel noted that the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) had published its decision to grant Jersey Doctors on Call (JDOC) an exemption to Article 8 of Competition (Jersey) Law 2005. The Panel recalled that Public Hearings would be held on 29th September 2006. It was advised that invitations to the parties listed below had been drafted: JCRA Dr. B. Perchard Senator S. Syvret, Minister for Health and Social Services Cleveland Clinic It was agreed that the invitations would be sent. The Chairman agreed to the use of his electronic signature. The Panel agreed to meet at 9:30am on 25th September 2006 to prepare for its Public Hearings. | CA/WM CA/WM |
[22/08/06, Item 6] | 6. Overdale Hospital The Panel was advised that the Sub-Panel had visited Overdale Hospital. It was further advised that the Sub-Panel would return to the Overdale site on 11th September 2006, on which date the Sub- Panel would also visit Sandybrook and Silver Springs. It was noted that a large number of public submissions had been made in relation to this review. It was further noted that a number of people had telephoned either the Scrutiny Office or Deputy Pryke to express an opinion regarding the review. |
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| The Panel was advised that a request had been made to Senator S. Syvret, Minister for Health and Social Services, for the Sub- Panel to see a copy of the contract to be signed between his Department and providers of nursing care in the private sector. It was informed that this request had been granted. The Panel was informed that the Minister would attend a Hearing on 14th September 2006. |
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| 7. Appointment of Advisors The Panel noted the arrangements in place for Scrutiny panels to appoint external advisors. |
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[10/07/06, Item 5a] | 8. Topic Proposals a) Joint Financial Crimes Unit (JFCU) It was noted that no information had been received following the Panel's request for guidance on statements made in a Topic Proposal Form relating to staffing of the JCFU. It agreed that a follow-up request would be made. | CA/WM |
[22/08/06, Item 2b] | 9. Social Policy Sub-Group The Panel agreed to write to the Chief Minister to request an update on work on the Social Policy Framework for Jersey. | CA/WM |
[22/08/06, Item 2b] | 10. HMP La Moye The Panel noted that the Chairman had passed the draft report relating to HMP La Moye to the Scrutiny Office. The Panel noted it had not received a copy of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). It recalled indications given during its meeting (on 2nd August 2006) with Deputy A.D. Lewis , Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, that costing of the Plan would be arranged shortly after that meeting. It further recalled advice received from Deputy Lewis that unspent funding allotted to progressing the Discrimination Law would be used towards the Prison. It was noted that Deputy S. Power had lodged an amendment to Annual Business Plan 2007 (P.92/2006) proposing that this money be used for another purpose. |
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[22/08/06, Item 8] | 11. Draft Sexual Health Strategy The Panel recalled it would write to the Minister for Health & Social Services expressing their view that it would have been more helpful for the Strategy to have been submitted prior to the debate on the Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 200- rather than so soon after the debate was completed. It noted that the report would refer to the Panel's acceptance of the views of Brook Jersey and AIDS Care Education and Training (ACET). | CA/WM |
[22/08/06, Item 7] | 12. Criminal Justice Policy The Panel recalled that it would write to the Minister for Home Affairs offering their support in principle for the Criminal Justice Policy but expressing their concerns in respect of the time taken and the lack of any substantial change. | CA/WM |
[02/08/06, Item 7] | 13. Early Years The Panel recalled its decision to delay its review relating to early years care and education. It agreed to write to Senator M.E. Vibert , Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, in order that the Minister was formally notified of this situation. | CA/WM |
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14. Future Meetings
The Panel noted it would next meet Monday 18th September 2006 at 9:30am in the Le Capelain Room, States Building.
Signed Date ..
Chairman, Social Affairs Panel