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Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel
Meeting 6
Date: 2nd April 2007
Location: Blampied room, States Building
Present Deputy J.A. Martin, Vice Chairman
Deputy R. Le Herissier
Deputy S. Power
Apologies Deputy A. Breckon, Chairman Absent
In attendance Mr. C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer
Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Minutes of the previous meetings a) Minutes of the meeting of 8th March 2007 The Panel approved the minutes of the meeting with the following amendment: Section 10 Future meetings' was deleted. |
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[08/03/07 Item 2b] | 2. Matters arising
The Panel noted the action updates with further discussion relating to the following:
The Panel noted that a request had been made to the Social Security Department for background information relating to the identified need for increased levels of supplementation. The Panel further noted the Department's assertion that work on the Income Support system would have to be sidelined in order for the Officer concerned to provide the information requested.
The Panel noted that no response had yet been received from the Minister for Health & Social Services to the two letters sent to him regarding the release of New Directions to the Panel. It was agreed to send a further letter to the Minister and copy in the Chief Minister on Tuesday 10th April should no reply be forthcoming by then.
| CA/MO |
| The Panel noted that a delegation including Assistant Ministers from the Environment Department and the Housing Department had conducted a field trip to the UK to look at sheltered housing. It was noted that a representative from the HSSH Panel or the Social Housing Property Plan Sub-Panel had not been invited to attend despite previously successful joint field trips between the Environment Scrutiny Panel and the Minister for Environment. The Panel agreed that the Chairman of the Sub-Panel write to the Minister for Housing and request consideration be given to inviting a representative from Scrutiny on future field trips. The Panel noted the document from the Chief Minister: Everyone Counts – A Social Policy Framework for Jersey' previously distributed by e-mail. The Panel agreed to comment as follows: Whilst we agree with the broad aims of the document it is written is very general terms and the Panel feels that it needs to see more detailed proposals on issues such as care for the elderly. Until such time it is very difficult to make any more meaningful comments.' | SP CA/MO |
| 3. Forthcoming Propositions The Panel noted the forthcoming propositions and agreed the following action in respect of: b) P31/2007/ Draft Housing (General Provisions) (Amendment NO.25) (Jersey) Regulations 200- The Panel discussed whether the change to residency proposed in P31/2007/ had any implications for the proposed Social Housing Property Plan. In order to properly consider the issue it was agreed that the Chairman of the Social Housing Property Plan Sub-Panel consider lodging an amendment in order to delay implementation of P.31/2007/. |
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| 4. Questions to Ministers The Panel noted the forthcoming arrangements for questions without notice to Ministers. |
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| 5. 2008 Business Plan The Panel noted a letter from the Chief Minister previously distributed by e-mail. The Panel further noted the papers relating to the 2008 Business Plan - Provisional Cash Limits and Impact on Departments'. It was agreed to clarify with the Chairman how he wished to progress this issue. | CA/MO |
| 6. Telephone Mast Sub-Panel The Panel did not discuss progress with this review as the Chairman was not present. |
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| 7. Income Support Sub-Panel The Panel were informed that the Sub-Panel had held a Public Hearing with the Minister for Social Security on Friday 30th March to discuss the draft Regulations and general progress with the Income Support proposals. As a result of the meeting the start date for the Income Support system had been moved to Tuesday 27th August (from the 30th July) in order to allow more time for scrutiny. The Rates have yet to be finalised but have been promised to the Sub-Panel on Friday 13th April. The Sub-Panel have written to the Minister inviting him to a Public Hearing on either Friday 11th or 18th May to discuss the finalised Income Support proposals and the Sub-Panel's suggested amendments. |
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| 8. Social Housing Property Plan Sub-Panel The Panel were informed that the Sub-Panel had now agreed the appointment of advisers from Consult CIH, a subsidiary of the Chartered Institute of Housing. A call for evidence to the general public had been made, and letters to a variety of stakeholders were ongoing. A questionnaire to housing tenants was under development and discussions were being held with the Housing Department regarding its distribution. The Panel were also informed that the Minister and Assistant Minister for Treasury & Resources would be invited to a Public Hearing to discuss financial issues. The Panel noted that the sub-Panel intended to investigate whether Rent Rebate and Rent Abatement had affected the Housing Department's maintenance budget. The Panel noted that legal issues were yet to be resolved in respect of mortgages for tenants. |
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| 9. Future meetings The Panel agreed not to set a date for their next meeting at this time. |
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Signed Date
.. Chairman, Health, Social Security and Housing Panel