Education and Home Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 7 June 2011

Present

Deputy R. G. Le Hérissier, Chairman Deputy T. M. Pitman, Vice-Chairman Deputy M. Tadier

Apologies

Deputy J. M. Macon

In attendance

Mr M. Haden, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

516/29(5)

1. BDO Alto Report: Operation Rectangle: Review of Efficient and Effective Use of Resources

The Panel considered the issues regarding the BDO Alto report, dated May 2010, raised in a local blog, namely

• the relationship with the report commissioned by the Acting Chief Officer of Police,
• the use of an interim report by the Mail on Sunday reporter,
• the failure of BDO Alto to speak with Mr. Harper and Mr. Power, and
• their use of confidential witness statements from the Wiltshire report.

The Panel agreed that these issues were within their remit as a matter of public interest and merited investigation. The Panel was mindful that a review of the BDO report would focus on the process issues outlined above whereas the substance of the report and its conclusions relating to the efficient and effective use of resources was properly a matter for the Public Accounts Committee.

The Panel requested the Scrutiny Officer to prepare a briefing paper on this basis setting out the potential scope of a review and terms of reference.

Deputy T.M. Pitman agreed to act as Chairman of this review. The Panel agreed to seek other members to join this review in order to ensure that the Panel represented a broad spectrum of views.

MH

2. Draft Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law 201-

The Panel considered a proposal from Deputy Tadier to investigate the issue of the possibility of civil partnerships ceremonies being held in places of worship. Members agreed to invite a number of witnesses to  discuss  the  issue,  including  the  Chief  Minister,  Community Relations Trust, the Dean of Jersey and the Quakers.

Members also considered the issue of inheritance and noted that the draft law reflected the current general position for married couples which  was  regarded  as  out-dated  and  unfair. Members  agreed to include discussion of inheritance issues with the above witnesses.

Deputy Tadier agreed to lead this piece of work.