The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
CHAIRMEN'S COMMITTEE
Meeting of Chairmen held on 15th September 2008 Meeting Number 88
Meeting held by electronic mail
Present | Deputy S. C. Ferguson, President Deputy R. G. Le Hérissier, Vice-President Deputy R. C. Duhamel Deputy A. Breckon (Item 3 onwards) Deputy D. W. Mezbourian |
Apologies | Deputy G. P. Southern Deputy J. G. Reed Deputy C. H. Egré |
Absent | Deputy P. J. D. Ryan |
In attendance | Mrs K. Tremellen-Frost, Scrutiny Manager Mr. C. Ahier , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| Part A 1. Minutes The Committee approved the minutes of the meetings of the 21st and 30th July 2008. |
|
| 2. States Business Plan amendments The Committee, having noted the action updates, also noted the concern of the Public Accounts Committee that the amendments to the States Business Plan lodged by the respective departments amounted to a 6% increase in States Spending over and above that previously agreed. |
|
| 3. Panel Reports Corporate Services Panel It was noted that a report had been received from the Panel's consultant on the Business Planning process. It was further noted that the Panel had received advice from Professor Oliver regarding financial policy which had provided an alternative view to that already received. It was noted that a position paper would be requested. The Committee noted that the Panel had delegated responsibility to Deputy Egré and Deputy Le Hérissier to carry out policy briefings with hidden departments' such as the IT Department, Property Holdings and Human Resources. It was agreed that in future discussions the IT Department be asked why they were changing from Livelink' to WorldDoc'. Economic Development The Committee was informed that the review of employment and training had focussed upon younger people and had also addressed numeracy and literacy rates though it was noted that the information collected by the Social Security Department was not complete. Education and Home Affairs |
|
| It was noted that the review of Customs and Immigration was nearing completion subject to a response being received from HM Attorney General. It was confirmed that comments had been submitted to the Home Affairs Department on Draft Police Forces (States) (Jersey) Law 200-. It was noted that the Panel was examining the rôle of the Prison Board of Visitors. Environment The Committee was informed that the Sea Fisheries Law review had been completed in time for the States debate. It was noted that the Panel had considered conducting a review on one of the following: water quality; integrated travel and transport plan; urban regeneration. Due to time constraints the Panel had opted for a review of urban regeneration. The Committee received scoping documents and terms of reference and was assured that the Panel would be strictly focussing on its Terms of Reference in order to complete and present the report on the review to the States by the 4th December. The Committee noted that the Panel had engaged Mr. Derek Mason as adviser. When queried on whether the appointment had followed correct procedures, the Committee was advised that due to time constraints there had been no competitive tendering. The Committee considered that there was no need to seek competitive tender when the sum to be paid was under £25,000, however, it was advised that Financial Direction 5.1 recommended that in such cases, price testing for the engagement was achieved through direct contact with firms so as to ensure the most cost-effective appointment. Health, Social Security and Housing The Committee was informed that a final meeting of the Telephone Mast Sub-Panel was being held on the 16th September 2008. It was noted that a further meeting regarding the Jersey Homebuy proposals would be taking place on the 17th September 2008. The Committee noted that the Income Support Sub-Panel was drafting a report for completion in the proceeding six weeks. It was confirmed that no further progress had been made by the Health and Social Services Department in the production of New Directions. As such, it was noted that the Panel had been unable to proceed with this proposed review. The Committee was informed that a draft report from the adviser on Long Term Care of the Elderly had been received by the Panel. It was confirmed that the Panel's report was being drafted for completion by the end of October. Public Accounts Committee The Committee noted that as part of a review of the States Accounts, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had conducted with various |
|
| departments a total of approximately ten public hearings. It was further noted that the resulting report had been completed. The Committee was informed that the Council of Ministers had accepted all but one of the amendments put forward by the PAC to the States Business Plan. The Committee discussed the resourcing of the PAC and noted that it was likely that a full-time officer would be required to support a future PAC. |
|
| 4. Correspondence from the Privileges and Procedures Committee regarding Machinery of Government reforms The Committee noted correspondence from the Privileges and Procedures Committee, dated 17th July 2008 and received a draft response for consideration. The Committee discussed informing its response by consulting further with other States members involved with Scrutiny. Consequently the Committee agreed to include the item on the away-morning agenda for 26th September 2008 and for a response to be drafted subsequent to that event. It was noted that the Education and Home Affairs Panel had considered the Draft Police Forces (States) (Jersey) Law 200- and that this should be added to appendix 4c. | KTF KTF |
| 5. Correspondence from the Privileges and Procedures Committee regarding the Bovine Semen Report The Committee noted the correspondence from the Privileges and Procedures Committee on 25th July 2008 regarding the Bovine Semen report and agreed that in future all external stakeholders involved with a review should receive copies of the final report at the same time. A response would be sent accordingly. | KTF |
21.07.08 Item 4 | Ministerial Decisions/subordinate legislation The Committee received correspondence between the Minister for Home Affairs and the Education and Home Affairs Panel regarding Ministerial Orders and R&O 69/2008'. These would be included on the agenda for the Away-Morning. The Chairman of the Education and Home Affairs Committee advised of her unavailability for the away-morning but anticipated that the Vice- Chairman would be able to speak to this item. | KTF |
21.07.08 Item 10 | Home and Lifestyle Exhibition 2008 The Committee received and approved Home and Lifestyle Exhibition guidelines for Members and agreed that the Panel Chairmen would arrange political representation from their respective Panels. |
|
21.07.08 Item 2 | East of Albert Plans: request to Chief Minister for presentation. It was noted that the Chairman of the Chairmen's Committee had attended an informal meeting with the Chief Executive of the Transport and Technical Services Department regarding proposals for the development of the East of Albert site'. The Committee was informed that the Department would not agree to a formal meeting with States members. It was agreed to write to the Transport and Technical Services Department requesting a formal meeting to be briefed on the proposals | KTF |
| 6. Scrutiny Away-Morning |
|
| The Committee noted the attendance list to date and the draft agenda. |
|
| 7. Date of next meeting The Committee noted that they were next scheduled to meet on the 10th October 2008. |
|