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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 8th December 2011 Meeting No: 1
Present | Deputy S.G. Luce , Chairman Connétable S.W. Pallett, Vice-Chairman |
Apologies | Connétable M.J. Paddock |
Absent |
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In attendance | Mr T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Vice-Chairman The Panel appointed Connétable S.W. Pallett as its Vice-Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 135(5), subject to the agreement of Connétable M.J. Paddock. |
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| 2. Future Meetings The Panel discussed its meeting schedule for 2012, noting the Chairman's proposal that it should initially meet fortnightly. It was agreed that further consideration needed to be given to the most suitable day of the week, taking into account all other commitments, ahead of agreement of a 2012 schedule at the next Panel meeting. Consideration was given to whether the Panel would hold its meetings in private or in public. It was noted that the Chairmen's Committee would consider the matter in order to determine a standardised approach amongst the Scrutiny Panels. The Panel was advised that, were it to hold meetings in private, the records of those meetings would nevertheless be made public unless the Panel had discussed confidential material. In such circumstances a private record would be taken, with an accompanying public record to indicate that the Panel had met. The Panel agreed to next meet at 9:30am on 21st December 2011. | Panel / TO |
| 3. Communication with Economic Development The Panel considered communication with the Minister and the Department. It agreed that in addition to quarterly public hearings, it would seek to hold monthly update meetings within the Department between the Chairman, accompanied by the Scrutiny Officer, and the Minister and relevant Officers. The Panel agreed that the first meeting should take place before Christmas in order to discuss the Minister's priorities and to explain the Panel's approach to its work. The Scrutiny Officer was requested to make the necessary arrangements. It was noted that work had begun on arrangements for Panel site visits in the New Year to the various sections of the Department. Additionally, it was noted that following direction from the Chairman, requests had been made to the Department for full and up to date organisation charts | TO |
| 4. Panel Communication It was agreed that all Panel Members would check their e-mails regularly for Panel correspondence and respond as required. |
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| 5. Council of Ministers Work Programme 2012 The Panel considered the Council of Ministers Work Programme for the first six months of 2012, in relation to the work of the Economic Development Department. It agreed to request further information from the Department regarding:
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| 6. Topic Proposal The Panel noted receipt of topic proposals from a member of the public on Jersey Enterprise and public houses. The Panel agreed that as it intended to give further consideration to a Review relating to Jersey Enterprise at its next meeting, it would be mindful of the comments made by the member of the public when doing so. After consideration, it agreed that a Review relating to public houses was unlikely to form part of its 2012 Work Programme, which would be decided over the coming weeks as higher priorities were assessed. The Panel requested that the member of the public be contacted and thanked for his topic proposals and to update him as to the outcome of the discussions. | TO |
| 7. Scrutiny Training The Panel noted that progress was being made on Scrutiny training on chairing and questioning skills, as well as a visit by the Panel to the House of Commons in the first quarter of 2012. The Panel welcomed the provision of training, but also discussed the merits of it being spread throughout the term of office and the context of the heavy workload many Members were presently encountering. |
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| 8. Conflicts of Interest pertinent to the Panel's remit The Chairman declared potential conflicts of interest in relation to his ownership of a boat and related use of harbour facilities, and his active membership of the Chamber of Commerce. It was noted that at the start of each Review, consideration should be given to whether any Member had a pecuniary or perceived conflict in the relevant area sufficient to preclude them from participating in the Review. |
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