Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 7 February 2007

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Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes

The  Minutes  of  the  meeting  held  on  24th  January  2006  were considered and approved.

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2.

Matters Arising

The  Panel  agreed  to  consider  a  recommendation  from   Deputy Martin that it review the funding of Jersey Finance Limited. The officer was directed to pass the projet approving the creation of the company to the Panel at its next meeting.

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3.

Item 2 24th Jan 2007

Retail Strategy Review

The  Panel  recalled  that  it  had  previously  agreed  that  it  would undertake a review into the Economic Development Department's retail  strategy,  and  the  objections  raised  by  the  Chamber  of Commerce to the proposed increase in retail space in the Island.

The Panel agreed to hold two days of public hearings into the matter at the St. Paul's Centre on either 21st and 22nd or 22nd and 23rd February. Deputy Martin was to determine her availability, and the hearings were to be arranged in order to avoid a clash with the meetings of other Panels.

The  Chairman  had  approached  the  Economic  Development Minister and Mr. K. Keen, President of the Chamber of Commerce, about the possibility of altering the format of the public hearing to allow them to conduct a public debate.

The Panel noted a request from Mr. A. Smith, Managing Director of the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society to meet with the Panel prior to the hearings.

The officer was directed to write to several groups to determine of they would be available to attend, but to take no action until the timings were resolved. The officer was to contact-

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The St. Helier small traders association

The management of Channel Island Traders The operators of the Spar chain

Pensioners rights groups including Age Concern The Jersey Consumer Council

Consumer groups

The Panel received review files, and four submissions from the public. The Chairman directed the officer to reply to these at his discretion.

The officer was also directed to-

Make the necessary arrangements for the public hearings being mindful of the variable dates.

Draft questions for the attendees for the Chairman's consideration.

Deputy Lewis reiterated concerns that the proposed increase in retail space might affect his business, and that this might preclude him from taking part in a review on the subject.

The Chairman advised that Deputy Lewis ask the Bailiff for a ruling on the matter, although the Panel considered his interests to be marginal.

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4.

Annual report 2006

The  Panel  considered  a  draft  Annual  Report  produced  by  the officer, detailing the successes the Panel had enjoyed during 2006. The Panel approved the report with additions.

The officer was to add the Panel's concerns over the proliferation of Panels and Sub-Panels, the need for the code of practice to reflect the Panel's right to scrutinise Departments other than the Economic Development Department, its disappointment at the lack of access to  the  Communications  Unit,  the  need  for  more  training  for members and the Executive's culture of secrecy'.

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5.

Item 5 24th Jan 2007

Jersey Telecom review briefing

The  Panel  was  informed  that  the  report  was  approaching completion.  The  Treasury  and  Resources  Minister  intended  to lodge  the  proposition  regarding  the  privatisation  as  soon  as possible,  and  the  Sub-Panel  anticipated  that  it  would  be  in  a position to present its report soon afterwards.

The Treasury and Resources Minister was set to hold a public meeting on the subject on 19th February 2007, and the Panel was hopeful that it would have completed recommendations to present

at that time.

6.

Date of next meeting

The Panel agreed to hold its next meeting on 21st February 2007.

This meeting was to occupy a full day, during which the Panel would examine the Economic Development Department's Business Plan for 2007.

The officer was directed to make the appropriate arrangements.

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