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Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel Minutes

Meeting 24

Date: 22nd July 2008

Location: Le Capelain Room, States Building

Present Deputy A. Breckon, Chairman

Deputy J.A. Martin, Vice Chairman Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier

Deputy S. Power

Apologies

In attendance Mr C Ahier , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back	Agenda matter	Action
	1. Minutes of previous meetings The Panel approved and signed Minutes of the meeting of 24th June 2008. The Panel noted the notes of the meeting of 11th July 2008 in Guernsey.
	2. Matters arising Chairman and Panel Members' Actions The Panel noted that it would address other actions under separate agenda items with the exception of the following items: It was noted that Panel members were out of the Island on the following dates Deputy Breckon – 31st July until 23rd August Deputy Martin – 31st July until 11th August Deputy Le Herissier – 8th August until 1st September Deputy Power - August until August
	3. Forthcoming Propositions The Panel noted the following propositions lodged for debate in the States: 8th September P67/2008/ - Flu pandemic funding Minister for Treasury and Resources P67/2008/ - Flu pandemic funding (P.67/2008): comments Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel P83/2008/ - Draft Mental Health (Amendment No. 2)
	(Jersey) Law 200- Minister for Health and Social Services P106/2008/ - Rent Control Tribunal - appointment of
	Chairman and Members Minister for Housing
	4. Questions to Ministers

	The Panel noted the forthcoming arrangements for questions without notice to Ministers had yet to be finalised.
	5. Recent States Sittings The Panel noted that no summaries of recent States sittings were ready for distribution.
	CURRENT REVIEWS: Telephone Mast Sub-Panel The Panel were informed that the review had been concluded. It was reported that a joint press release from the Planning and Environment Department, Economic Development Department, Health and Social Services Department and Scrutiny Sub-Panel had been made informing the public that a website had been set up detailing the locations of mobile phone masts in Jersey. It was further reported that phone masts would be independently tested for emissions in the first year of operation and would thereafter be tested every other year. The Panel were informed that the Sub-Panel Chairman intended to arrange a meeting of the Sub-Panel in the proceeding ten days to consider the outcome of the review and draft comments for a final statement to the States in September. The Sub-Panel Chairman further informed the Panel that the Sub- Panel's accounts would be finalised and distributed for information. The Sub-Panel Chairman noted the contribution of the Scrutiny Officers in support of the review. Income Support Sub-Panel The Panel noted that responses from the Social Security Minister to a number of queries were awaited by the Sub-Panel. It was further noted that the sub-Panel was awaiting confirmation of the changes proposed to arrangements for recipients of the former Attendance Allowance before considering whether it would be necessary to propose amendments. The Sub-Panel Chairman in formed the Panel that a report would be produced in early October. The Panel noted that analysis of Income Support data was deemed necessary and consequently agreed an additional £3,000 for the review budget. Housing Sub-Panel The Panel were informed that arrangements had been made to engage E&R Consultants to analyse J-category numbers and the effect of A-H category individuals on the buy to let market. It was	CA CA CA
	noted that The Panel were further informed that the Sub-Panel Chairman intended to meet as part of the evidence gathering with the Association of Conveyancers. The Panel noted that the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) had been contacted regarding an appraisal of the proposed P74/2008/ - Jersey Homebuy Housing:	SP/MO SP/CA CA
	amendment to Island Plan Policy H1 and that further discussions
	with CIH would be taking place. The Panel noted that the Sub-Panel Chairman had met informally with Mr. David Marguson of Dandara and that a formal meeting had been proposed to discuss the proposals contained in P74/2008/ - Jersey Homebuy Housing: amendment to Island Plan
	Policy H1. The Panel agreed that the Sub-Panel Chairman accompanied by any Sub-Panel members who so chose and a Scrutiny Officer should meet with Mr. Marguson for further discussions. Deputy Martin informed the Panel that despite putting herself forward for membership of the proposed Working Party to consider the Gateway' to Jersey Homebuy' she had yet to receive notification of any proposed meetings. New Directions The Panel noted that Deputy Le Herissier and Deputy Power had attended a meeting on Monday 21st July regarding the consultation process for New Directions. It was noted that the Chief Minister had expressed surprise at the level of funding required for the proposals. It was further noted that the consensus of the meeting had been to postpone public consultation on the proposals until January 2009 at the earliest as it was felt that the current Council of Ministers could not commit to such a large scale set of proposals only months away from a new Council of Ministers being elected. Long Term Care of the Elderly The Panel considered the Public Hearings of the 26th and 27th July 2008 and agreed that they had provided very useful evidence for the review. The Panel noted the arrangements for the Public Hearings on the 29th and 30th July 2008. The Panel noted that Mrs. Jean Hinks had made a presentation on behalf of Family Nursing and Home Care concerning a future pilot scheme for care of the elderly. It was agreed to request that Mrs. Hinks attend upon the Panel with Mrs. Karen Huchet at 9:30am on Tuesday 29th July 2008.
	The Panel agreed to invite a further witness at 12:25pm on the 30th July. It was agreed to request that a representative from Palm Springs Nursing Home attend upon the Panel. The Panel agreed that the Chairman should issue a press release detailing the itinerary of both the Public Hearings and the Public Meeting. The Panel noted that both Age Concern and the Senior Citizens Association had been informed of the Public Hearings and Public Meeting. It was agreed that the Good Companions Club should also be informed. c.) The Panel noted the arrangements for the evening Public meeting on the 29th July 2008. The Panel considered the outcome of their meeting with officers of the States of Guernsey regarding their Long Term Care Insurance scheme. It was noted that the meeting had been particularly useful in enhancing their understanding of the Guernsey insurance model. It was agreed to request further information from the Social Security Department regarding the individual's right to retain their property under the Guernsey insurance model. The Panel agreed to arrange additional public hearings with key witnesses on Wednesday 6th August 2008. it was agreed to invite the Chairman of the General Practitioner's Association and members of the public who had made submissions to the review. The Panel discussed the need to visit long term care facilities in the UK in order to gain a greater understanding of the types of provision available. The Panel noted that the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment and the Assistant Minister for Housing had once again failed to inform the Panel of an information gathering visit they had undertaken to the UK. The Panel agreed to make the following arrangements: Tuesday 23rd September Depart on the red-eye' flight to Gatwick; Visit examples of high rise developments in Camden; Visit additional good examples of developments as recommended by Age Concern London; Travel by train to York for overnight stay Wednesday 24th September Visit the Hart rigg Oaks development in York The agreed receive by e-mail a draft report outline for consideration.	CA AB/CA CA CA
	11. Pandemic Flu Vaccine
	The Panel noted that the P67/2008/ - Flu pandemic funding' was due for debate on 8th September 2008.
	12. Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health The Panel noted the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health and agreed to write to the Health & Social Services Department with comments.	AB/CA
	13. R.48/2008 States' Spending Review – Emerging issues The Panel noted R.48/2008 States' Spending Review – Emerging issues and agreed submit their comments on the States Annual Business Plan to the Scrutiny Office for collation. It was further agreed that a paper outlining the main issues raised in the States Annual Business Plan be considered at a future Panel meeting.	CA/MO
	14. Future Meetings The Panel noted the Public Hearings on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th July in the Blampied room, States Building. The Panel The Panel noted the evening public meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday 29th July at Haute Vallée School. The Panel noted that the next meeting was scheduled to be at 9:30am on Tuesday 19th August in the Le Capelain Room, States Building. The Panel agreed to cancel this meeting and meet instead at 9:30am on Thursday 28th August.

Signed Date ..

Chairman, Health, Social Security and Housing Panel

Health, Social Security and Housong - 22 July 2008