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Education & Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel
PUBLIC MEETING Record of Meeting
Date: 4th September 2007 Meeting 38
Present Deputy D.W. Mezbourian , Chairman
Deputy J. Gallichan, Vice-Chairman Deputy S. Pitman
Apologies
Absent
In attendance Mr. W. Millow , Scrutiny Officer
Mr. T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter Action | |
| 1. Records of Previous Meetings The Panel approved the records of its meetings of 22nd May, 23rd July (public and private sessions) with one corrective amendment, and 26th July 2007 (public and private sessions). | |
[23/07/07, Item 8] | 2. Ministerial Responses It was noted that correspondence had been sent by the Chairmen's Committee to the Council of Ministers regarding Ministerial Responses to Scrutiny Reports. The Panel was advised by the Chairman that the President and Vice-President of the Chairmen's Committee were due to meet the Chief Minister and that a policy relating to Ministerial Responses was in development. The Chairman undertook to circulate the relevant Chairmen's Committee paper to other Panel Members. DM | |
[29/08/07, Item 2] | 3. Early Years The Panel recalled its agreement that it would be useful for the Officers to remain in contact with the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to the review. The Panel was advised that the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee had informed the Panel Chairman that the Comptroller and Auditor General was undertaking a general examination of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and that information would be forthcoming before the debate on Annual Business Plan 2008 (P.93/2007). The Panel noted the potential benefits of receiving the Comptroller and Auditor General at a Public Hearing. The Panel was advised of the arrangements that had been made for interviews to be held on 14th September 2007 for the position of expert advisor for the review. The Officers were requested to ensure that a TO/ WM one hour gap was left between interviews. The Panel further requested that draft questions be drawn up. The Panel recalled its agreements that it would not take part in the debate on Annual Business Plan 2008 (P.93/2007): amendment (P.93Amd/2007); would abstain from voting; and would write to the Minister informing him of its decision. It was noted that correspondence had not yet been despatched. | |
[29/08/07, Item 1] | 4. Rôle of the Centenier in the Magistrate's Court This part of the meeting was held in private session under Item 3.2.1(a) (xiv) of Code of Practice on Public Access to Official Information. |
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| 5. Matters Arising The Panel noted the actions undertaken in response to requests made at its previous meetings with particular reference to the following: |
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AU 3: The Panel noted that work would continue in relation to the Children's Executive and the Youth Action Team but that this work was
not presently a high priority.
[26/07/07, 6. GP Out-of-Hours
Item 5] The Panel noted that correspondence had been sent to the Health,
Social Security and Housing (HSSH) Scrutiny Panel detailing the
Panel's comments on The G.P. Co-Operative Out-of-Hours Service (S.R.6/2007) – response of the Minister for Health and Social Services (SR6Res/2007). The Officers were requested to enquire what further
action the HSSH Scrutiny Panel had taken. WM/TO
- Chairman and Panel Member Actions
The Panel was advised by the Chairman that the Panel had been
invited to visit Highlands College. The Panel considered the suggested
dates and agreed that none were feasible. It was further agreed that
the Chairman would advise Highlands College that a later date would
need to be identified.
- Scrutiny Newsletter
The Panel noted that the second issue of the Scrutiny newsletter would
be produced later in 2007. It was advised that the Chairmen's Committee had agreed that all Scrutiny Panels would contribute
towards the newsletter and that the Education and Home Affairs Panel Chairman would take joint responsibility for overseeing its production.
The Panel noted that the Chairman would be the subject of the Member
Profile.
[26/07/07, 9. Future Work Programme
Item 4] The Panel received a calendar that detailed potential forthcoming work
between September 2007 and January 2008. The Officers were WM/TO requested to forward a second copy to Deputy S. Pitman.
The Panel considered briefing papers relating to the proposal to introduce a user-pays' charge for the policing of commercial events; the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme; and the establishment of a police authority.
The Panel agreed that its next Scrutiny Review would focus on the policing of events. Initial consideration was given to potential lines of enquiry and it was agreed that further consideration would be given at the meeting on 10th September 2007.
The Panel agreed that work would cease for the time being on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and on the establishment of a police authority.
[14/05/07, 10. Annual Business Plan
Item 2] The Panel received copies of On the money: the scrutiny of local
government finance that had been published by the Centre for Public Scrutiny.
11. Future Meetings
The Panel deferred consideration of all other items on the agenda and agreed to meet at 9:30am on 10th September 2007 to consider the remaining items.
The Panel agreed to defer its meeting on 1st October 2007 to 8th October 2007.
Signed Date:
.. Chairman, Education & Home Affairs Panel