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Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 21 March 2007

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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel Meeting No. 37

21st March 2007 Blampied Room, States Building

Present Deputy G. P. Southern , Chairman

Deputy J. A. Martin

Connétable M. K. Jackson Deputy K. C. Lewis

Apologies

In attendance Mr N. Fox, Scrutiny Officer

Ms. E. Kingston, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes

The  Minutes  of  the  meeting  held  on 7th March 2006  were considered and approved.

NJF

2.

Matters Arising

The Panel received briefing notes from the Chairmen's Committee meeting of 9th March 2007.

 

3.

Item 3 7th March

2007

Item 3 7th March

2007

Retail Strategy Review Documents received

The Panel received additional information for its review files, and two new submissions from the public.

The Panel considered the second draft of the report and while it acknowledged that much additional work needed to be carried out, it concluded that was progressing in the appropriate manner.

Public hearings

The Panel recalled that it had cancelled the hearings planned for 28th February 2007 and 15th March 2007 due to the Economic Development Minister's absence.

The Panel noted that the Minister was unlikely to be available for any hearing prior to the intended completion date of the review. The Panel considered that it would therefore it would not be possible to finalise  a  full  report,  as  the Minister's  contribution  would  be essential.

Completion of review

The  Panel  noted time  and  staffing  concerns  regarding  the completion of a full report by the current completion date of 5th April 2007.

NJF

Accordingly, the Panel decided that it would produce an interim report for the consideration of stakeholders by 5th April, and that a final report would be produced at a later date.

The officers were directed to complete a final draft of the interim Retail Strategy Review report by 31st March 2007. NJF

  1. Jersey Telecom Sub-Panel

The  Panel  noted  that  the  Chairman  had held  preliminary discussions  with  the Treasury  and  Resources  Minister  and  the Chief Minister regarding the undertaking of a cost benefit analysis in respect of the privatisation of Jersey Telecom.

The Panel noted that the Sub-Panel had remained in existence after the production of its report, and that it would be the body responsible for the Scrutiny element of the cost/benefit analysis.

The Chairman was of the opinion that the Sub-Panel should re- engage Dr. D. Parker, the consultant involved in the production of Jersey Telecom Privatisation, (S.R.5/2007) to represent Scrutiny on any body formed to carry out the analysis.

The Panel agreed in principle to provide funding to re-engage Dr. Parker as necessary, subject to clarification of an exact figure at a later date, although it expressed reservations over the remaining annual budget.

  1. Receipt of information

The  Panel  noted  that  it  had  not  received  responses  to correspondence sent to the Economic Development Minister and regarding progress against initiatives within the Strategic Plan, and had not yet received the terms of reference of the Experian retail report, as requested at the public hearing held on 22nd February 2007.

Officers were directed to contact the Department in respect of these NJF matters.

  1. Future meetings

The Panel noted that while the next meeting was scheduled for 4th April  2007,  the  timescale  for  production  of  the  interim  Retail Strategy report required that the Panel meet prior to this to consider drafts.  The  Panel  therefore  decided  that  it  would  meet  on Wednesday 29th March 2007 at 1.00pm.

Officers were directed to an initial draft of the report available by the evening of Monday 29th March for consideration. NJF

Signed

. Chairman Deputy G. P. Southern Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel


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