Health, Social Security and Housing - Approved Panel Minutes - 6 December 2007

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Agenda matter

Action

1. Minutes of previous meetings

The Panel approved minutes of the meeting of 8th October 2007

2. Matters arising

Chairman and Panel Members' Actions

The  Panel  noted  that  it  would  address  these  actions  under separate agenda items.

3. Forthcoming Propositions

The Panel noted that P176/2007/ - Flu Pandemic funding' and P176/2007/Com.  –  Flu  Pandemic  Funding  (P.176-2007)  – comments.' had in fact been debated in the States on the 5th December. It was further noted that the following propositions had subsequently been lodged for debate by the States on the

15th January 2008:

P180/2007/ - Employment Tribunal – appointment of members Minister for Social Security

P181/2007/  -  Draft  Income  Support  (Special  Payments)  (Cold Weather Payments) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Minister for Social Security

P182/2007/  Draft  Income  Support  (Amendment)  (Jersey) Regulations 200-

Minister for Social Security

P186/2007/ - Draft Employment Relations (Registration) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Minister for Social Security

4. Questions to Ministers

The  Panel  noted  the  forthcoming  arrangements  for  questions without notice to Ministers.

CURRENT REVIEWS:

5. Telephone Mast Sub-Panel

1. The  Panel  received  and  noted  a  paper  detailing  the Ministerial responses to the report received to date. The Panel noted that the conclusion of the review had been delayed due to the former Minister for Health & Social Services' failure to provide comments before his departure.

2. The  Panel  noted  the  report  entitled  Report  to  further review  Mobile  Phones  and  perceived  Health  Effects' received from Health Protection, Public Health Services. The Panel further noted the report from the Minister for Economic Development: R102/2007 Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002: Direction and Guidance to the JCRA under Article 8 considered by the States on 27th October 2007. The Panel discussed the issue of SAR ratings and considered  whether  this  was  an  area  for  further investigation. There was further discussion regarding the impact on both male and female fertility as a result of the use of lap top computers. The Panel noted that small masts, some of which located within buildings, were not subject to a requirement for planning permission. As such, the Panel discussed the possible potential consequences of exposure to these masts for the public at large. The Panel agreed to reconvene the Sub-Panel at the earliest opportunity in order for them to review progress against their  recommendations  and  assess  whether  or  not  to conclude the review.

6. Income Support Sub-Panel

The Panel was informed that the Sub-Panel would need to continue  its  review  into  2008  in  order  to  monitor  the implementation  of  Income  Support.   It  was  noted  that  the monitoring of the implementation was likely to require a less intensive approach than previously adopted. It was further noted that though some Public Hearings were likely the Sub- Panel would not require an expert adviser. The Panel noted that only Deputy Martin and Deputy Southern remained as members  of  the  Sub-Panel. It  was  confirmed  that  the Chairman would be seeking at least one new member in the early part of 2008.

The Panel noted that the Sub-Panel intended to meet in early January  2008  to  identify  the  particular  areas  that  required close monitoring during the introduction of Income Support. The Panel noted that some areas of concern had already been identified: the number of visits to General Practitioners; as well as the service to job-seekers from the Employment Services Centre. It was felt that it may be appropriate to seek outside' opinions on progress by June or July 2008.

7. Housing Sub-Panel

a)  The Panel noted that the differences of opinions between the Sub-Panel and the Housing Department had prevented

agreement being reached on the appropriate direction of the  proposed  review.   It  was  noted  that  the  Housing Department did not consider it necessary to commission a more thorough housing survey. The Panel were informed that the Sub-Panel disagreed with this view. The Panel considered the Housing Department's approach to selling off the States housing stock. They discussed the apparent absence  of  a  structured  approach  to  both  property valuation and the selection of tenants to offer property for purchase. It was noted by the Panel that the Sub-Panel had previously made recommendations in this area to the effect that a structured and transparent approach should be  adopted. The  Panel  agreed  to  request  from  the Housing Department an update on their progress with the maintenance programme.

The Panel agreed that recent Ministerial decisions related to this area should be collated and sent to the Sub-Panel members for their consideration.

b)  The Panel received information from the Chairman relating to the standard and availability of accommodation for the over 55s  in  Jersey. The  Panel  also  received  and  noted  the Planning and Environment Department's consultation report Review  of  the  island  plan  to  rezone  land  for  life-long retirement dwellings for the over 55s' and first time buyer homes'. It was agreed to reconvene the Sub-Panel in order

to  consider  the  report  and  submit  comments  by  the  28th January 2008 consultation deadline. The Panel suggested that the meeting be scheduled on one of the following dates:

• Wednesday 12th December - pm
• Thursday 13th December – am
• Friday 14th December – am
• Monday 17th December – anytime

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8. R105/2007 – Machinery of Government Review

The  Panel  discussed  R105/2007  –  Machinery  of  Government Review and noted that it would be considered by the Chairmen's Committee on Friday 7th December. The Panel were informed that Deputy Le Herissier's comments had already been forwarded to the Scrutiny Office. It was agreed that these comments would be re-sent to the Panel's Officers for reference.

The Panel noted that the Privileges and Procedures Committee had agreed to form a sub-group to give further consideration to R105/2007.   As  such,  the  Panel  agreed  that  the  sub-group's consideration would be likely to render obsolete any comments the Panel might offer at this time.

FUTURE WORK PROGRAMME:

9. Health & Social Services

a)  The  Panel  noted  that  the  Minister  for  Health  &  Social Services had reviewed New Directions' and had requested that  the  Department  develop  a  draft  budget  for  the

proposals. It was further noted that the Department had confirmed that the revised version of New Directions' and the related budget would be available to the Panel by the end of 2007. The Panel agreed that the review of New Directions'  could  not  be  progressed  until  the  revised version had been received.

b)  The Panel noted the Chairman's suggested amendments to the scoping document for the review of Long Term Care and agreed that they should be incorporated into a revised document. The Panel agreed that Deputy Le Herissier should  be  delegated  responsibility  to  finalise  both  the Scoping Document and Terms of Reference for the review. It was further agreed that the finalised documents could subsequently be shared with the Health & Social Services Minister and Department officers. The Panel discussed whether to progress the review as a full Panel or form a Sub-Panel and considered possible areas of conflict for Deputy Power as a result of his involvement as Chairman with  the  Housing  Property  Plan  Sub-Panel  and  his membership of the Planning Applications Panel. It was agreed to progress the review as a Sub-Panel comprising: Deputy Le Herissier; Deputy Breckon; Deputy Martin; and, subject to an approach from Deputy Le Herissier, either the Connétable of St. John or St. Peter . The Panel discussed the review budget and agreed that a similar amount would be  required  to  that  previously  agreed  for  the  proposed review of New Directions'. Accordingly, the Panel agreed that £30,000 be earmarked for the review.

1. The  Panel  agreed  to consider  Advisers recommended  by  the  Health  &  Social Services Department. It was further agreed to seek confirmation as to which Advisers the Department recommended.

2. The  Panel  noted  that  a  member  of  the public had made a submission to the Panel by  telephone  in  respect  of  local  dental charges. It was further noted that although the individual had not left his full name or contact details he was known to members of the  Scrutiny  Office  from  previous submissions. The Panel also noted that the Jersey  Competition  Regulatory  Authority had recently conducted a review of dental pricing. The Panel went on to consider a short, focussed review of dental treatment and its related areas. The Panel agreed to develop  a  draft  scoping  document  and Terms  of  Reference  for  further consideration.

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10. Social Security

The Panel noted that the latest request for statistical information had been acknowledged by the Social Security Department and that the matter  had  been  delegated  to  another  member  of  staff  as  the

Scrutiny  Liaison  Officer  would  be  moving  to  the  Chief  Minister's Department at the start of 2008.

The  Panel  noted  that  the  review  of  the  Migration  Policy  by  the Corporate Services Scrutiny Sub-Panel: Migration Policy would be likely to overlap with the HSSH Panel's remit. The Panel agreed that Deputy Martin, being a member also of the Sub-Panel, would share the scoping document and terms of reference with the Panel and inform of review progress where relevant.

11. Future Meetings

The Panel noted that members were off island or unavailable on the

following dates in December and January:

• Deputy  Breckon  –  18th  December  to  approximately  6th January
• Deputy  Le  Herissier  –  7th  January  to  approximately  13th January
• Deputy Martin – 22nd December to approximately 2nd January

1. The Panel agreed to meet at 9:30am on Tuesday 8th January

2. The  Panel  further  agreed  to  diarise  meetings  at  9:30am every other Tuesday from 8th January 2008.