Chairmen's Commitee - Approved Panel Minutes - 29 September 2011

Present

Senator S.C. Ferguson, President

Deputy Le Hérissier, Vice-President (item 4 and item 8 onwards) Senator B. E. Shenton

Deputy P.J. Rondel

Apologies

Deputy C.F. Labey

Absent

Deputy G. P. Southern

In attendance

Mrs. K. Tremellen-Frost, Scrutiny Manager

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1. Minutes

The minutes of 15th, 17th, 24th and 30th June, 6th July, 1st, 8th and 23rd August and 8th September 2011, having been approved were accordingly signed.

08.08.11 item 1

517/15(8)

2.  Corporate  Services  Scrutiny  Panel:  Comprehensive Spending Review 2012-2013 and delivery.

The Committee was advised that the report on the above review was currently being drafted with an aim to present it to the States in early October. It was noted that its adviser budget had been increased from £15,000 to £19,500 so that further work could be undertaken.

23.08.11 item 1

513/30(8)

3.  Corporate  Services  Scrutiny  Panel:  Lime  Grove  House Review - failure to complete transaction.

The Committee recalled that the final report (S.R.12/2011) had been presented to the States on 22nd September 2011. However, due to the incoming information leading the Sub-Panel into an area outside the remit of scrutiny, the Sub-Panel had referred the matter to the Comptroller and Auditor General. Concerns were expressed in respect of the Minister for Treasury and Resources using his blog site to express personal viewpoints in respect of this review.

06.07.11 item 1

516/29(8)

4.  Education  and  Home  Affairs  Scrutiny  Panel:  Issues surrounding the review of financial management of Operation Rectangle.

The Committee was advised that the publication of this report had been  delayed  due  to  consideration  of  material  from  a  further witness.

11.03.11 item 1

516/28(8)

5.  Education  and  Home  Affairs  Scrutiny  Panel:  School Examination Results.

The  Committee  noted  that  the  Ministerial  Response  had  been received with both recommendations of the above Panel having been accepted.

17.06.11

6.  Environment  Scrutiny  Panel:  Protecting  our  Marine

item 1 514/14(8)

Environment.

The Committee noted that the Panel had needed to increase the budget for the adviser by £5,000 to cover additional work. It was anticipated that the report would be presented as soon as was practically possible.

512/13(8)

7. Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Financial Report and Accounts

The Committee noted that it was anticipated that the PAC report on the Financial Report and Accounts would be presented in early November.

450/1(17)

8.  P.145/2011:  States  of  Jersey  Law  2005.  Removal  of Restrictions on Number of Ministers and Assistant Ministers and report by Greffier of the States.

The Committee noted that P.145/2011 was to be debated on 1st November 2011 and also considered a paper produced by the Greffier of the States following the last joint meeting between the Committee and the Council of Ministers at which the matter of abolition of the so-called " Troy rule" had been discussed.

It was noted that P145/2011 would limit the number serving on the Executive to 30 in total, leaving a remainder of 21 on the non- Executive (during the Dec 2011 to Dec 2014 term of office).

Consideration was given as to whether it was appropriate for this Assembly to be making such important decisions just prior to the election of a new Assembly. It also considered that the report prepared by the Greffier of the States was appropriate for the future Electoral Commission.

The matters were noted.

511/1(46)

9. Chairmen's Committee Legacy Report: Heads of Report

The Committee approved the Heads of Report for the December 2008 - December 2011 legacy report.

511/1(47)

10. Internal review into Scrutiny within the current system of Ministerial Government.

The  Committee  recalled  that,  over  the  summer  recess,  the President  and Scrutiny  Manager  had undertaken a review into Scrutiny within the current system of Ministerial Government. The Committee considered the final report and agreed that, subject to an amendment, the report should be presented to the States and would also be useful for future working practices and the Electoral Commission.

11. Second Quarter Financial Report This was noted.

12. Date of next meeting

The Committee noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 3rd November 2011 in Le Capelain Room, States Building at 12.30pm. It was also noted that there would be the legacy report for approval but it would be determined closer to the meeting date whether this meeting would need to be convened.