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Social Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Date: 6th February 2006 Location: Trinity Parish Hall
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 Mr. C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer
Mr. W. Millow , Scrutiny Officer Deputy P. V. F. Le Claire for item 3
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
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| 2. Matters Arising and Action Updates The Panel agreed that in future any statement regarding the referral of a proposition to Scrutiny by the States should be more explicit and say whether the Panel will scrutinise the matter or not, and not merely recommendations. The Chairman informed the Panel about his discussions with the Greffier of the States and the Scrutiny Manager concerning access to Committee minutes. The issue had arisen during the reference back of the Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law. The Chairman informed the Panel that Advocate Christopher Lakeman had written to the Panel regarding the Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 200-. The Panel discussed the issue of e-mails relating to the Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law being blocked by the Computer Services Department's automated checking system due to profanity'. The Chairman informed the Panel that there was an option to remove the security feature in question in order to allow correspondence to travel freely but that this could result in a great deal of unwanted and unrelated correspondence. The Chairman confirmed to the Panel that there was continuing pressure from other members of the Chairmen's Committee to split the Social Affairs Scrutiny Panel. He further indicated that should a split occur, the Departments of Home Affairs and Education, Sport & Culture would be covered by a separate Panel. The Panel discussed how a sub-panel would operate in the event of it being deemed necessary. | CA/WM |
The Chairman informed the Panel that he would be out of the CA/WM Island when the Chairmen's Committee were meeting the Council
of Ministers. The Vice Chairman, Deputy Judy Martin agreed
attend in his place. The Scrutiny Officers were instructed to confirm
the date, time and venue of the meeting
The Panel discussed the power of subpoena and agreed to clarify to whom this power would apply.
- Private Hospital Development
Deputy P. V. F. Le Claire attended upon the Panel to discuss his proposition Private Hospital Development: Scrutiny Review (P.221/2005).
The Panel discussed the proposition with Deputy Le Claire who then withdrew from the meeting.
- Work Programme
The Panel considered the scoping documents and draft terms of reference for the following shortlisted topics:
- Income Support
The Panel approved the terms of reference. The Panel noted that the 1st draft of the Income Support legislation was being amended
by the Law Draftsman's Office and would be available following the completion of these amendments. Deputy J. A. Martin requested CA/WM
copies of the Jersey Income Distribution Survey, produced by the
Statistics Unit, be circulated to Panel members.
- Provisions of a General Practitioners out-of-hours co-operative service: AP/CA/WM
The Panel approved the terms of reference subject to an CA/WM amendment by Deputy A. E. Pryke. The Panel agreed to write to
the Minister for Health & Social Services in respect of the
consultation process subject to the work programme being
endorsed by the Chairmen's Committee.
- Criminal Justice Policy (P.201/2005) The Panel approved the terms of reference.
- Implementation of the recommendations of the Wool Report on Health needs in H.M.P. La Moye
The Panel agreed to defer consideration of this topic until the next meeting.
- Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 200- CA/WM
The Panel agreed to defer consideration of this topic until the matter had been reviewed by the Council of Ministers.
- Youth Service
The Panel approved the terms of reference. The Panel also agreed
| to request a presentation on the 20th March in respect of the Youth Service Action Plan currently being drafted.
The Panel approved the terms of reference. The Panel noted that Senator Ben Shenton was investigating this issue. The Panel agreed to invite Senator Shenton to a future Panel meeting for further discussions on the issue. The Panel further discussed the possibility of inviting him to appear as a witness or to second him onto a sub-panel should they undertake a review in this area.
The Panel approved the terms of reference and agreed to ask the Council of Ministers when this issue would be debated. The Panel was reminded that the proper procedure for requesting information relating to reviews was through the Scrutiny Office. The Panel was further reminded that any information obtained outside of formal procedures should be distributed to other Panel members through the Scrutiny Office. The Panel agreed that the Chairman would issue a press release regarding the work programme subject to its approval by the Chairmen's Committee. The Panel noted that the Environment Scrutiny Panel had held a Public Meeting in the evening and agreed that this had been a productive and successful endeavour. The Panel agreed to hold a similar Public Meeting on either Wednesday 1st or Thursday 2nd of March at 7:30pm in either the Town Hall or St. Saviour Parish Hall dependent upon availability. The Panel agreed that the meeting would be used to consult the public on the proposed work programme and to enable further review topic suggestions. It was further agreed that this meeting be mentioned in the Chairmen's press release regarding the work programme and an advert be placed in the Jersey Evening Post for one night to publicise the meeting. The Panel also agreed that the meeting should be included in any what's on' diaries. The Panel agreed that a list of site visits be prepared subject to the work programme being approved by the Chairmen's Committee. | BH/CA/WM CA/WM BH/CA/WM CA/WM CA/WM CA/WM |
| 5. Responding to Drug Use The Panel agreed to defer discussion on this subject until its next Panel meeting. |
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| 6. Scrutiny Website The Panel noted the request for feedback from the Chairmen's Committee. |
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| 7. Advertising The Panel noted the current advertising costs and agreed to investigate the cost of advertising in the magazine 24SE7EN7. | CA/WM |
8. Future Meetings
The Panel noted that the next meeting would take place at 9:30am on Monday 20th February in the Le Capelain Room, States
Building.
The Panel also noted that Questioning Skills Training would be taking place on Friday 24th February 2006.
Signed Date ..
Chairman, Social Affairs Panel