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Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 29th October 2012 Meeting No: 20
Present | Deputy J. M. Maçon, Chairman Connétable M. P. S. Le Troquer, Vice Chairman Connétable S. W. Pallett |
In attendance | M. Haden, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 1st October 2012 were approved and signed. |
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| 2. Quarterly hearing with Minister for Education Sport and Culture The Panel considered a summary of the issues discussed with the Minister on 28th September 2012 and requested that the following matters be pursued:
(ii) when he intended to publish a draft strategy for secondary education
| MH |
Item 6 01.10.12 | 3. Digital Skills: planned review The Panel considered a draft Scoping Document prepared by the Scrutiny Officer for a review of the Education Department's response to the findings of the report by Skills Jersey and Digital Jersey entitled The Digital Picture (Interim report dated September 2012). The Panel was conscious that the Department planned to commence work on a new ICT Strategy once three year funding had been confirmed in the MTFP. The Department anticipated that the draft strategy would be ready for consultation in Spring 2013. Members decided to make early preparations for the proposed review and to begin by identifying potential advisers from both the educational and industry perspectives. Members noted that the Economic Affairs Panel had expressed an interest in undertaking a review focusing on progress made by Digital Jersey in promoting opportunities to expand the digital economy in Jersey and agreed to request a meeting with that Panel to discuss the possibility of a joint review or a phased two part review looking at respective aspects of the States response to digital opportunities. | MH MH |
Item 8 01.10.12 516/35 | 4. Police Headquarters: proposed relocation at Green Street The Panel noted that the President of the Chairmen's Committee had raised certain queries about the review including the question whether a full and open examination could be carried out in the absence of public hearings. In response to this it had been explained that initial meetings with the Minister had been held on a confidential basis as questions and information relating to the security of the building had been discussed. The Panel had informed the Minister that it would consider whether a further public hearing was required. The Panel noted that the President of the Chairmen's Committee had been satisfied with this explanation. Members also noted comments from Deputy Young who believed that, in addition to the operational needs of the Police Force the planning aspects of the issue should have been considered by a joint Scrutiny Sub Panel. The Panel however believed that the planning issues were already being addressed through Deputy Martin's proposition (P.92/2012). Furthermore, there was a risk that a Scrutiny review might be treading into areas which were properly the responsibility of the Planning Minister. The Chairman undertook to respond to Deputy Young accordingly. Members noted that Deputy Le Fondré had indicated that the former Director of Property Holdings had offered to give evidence to the Panel. Members agreed to request a written submission and to consider, on that basis, whether a further oral hearing might be appropriate. The Panel agreed to issue a press release to announce publicly the remit of the review and to consider any relevant submissions which might arise from the public. Members received a copy of the Minister's detailed letter, dated 26th October, responding to a range of questions they had posed. Members agreed to meet on 30th October to consider this letter. | JM |
Item 6(b) 01.10.12 | 5. Higher Education Fees The Panel considered a briefing paper prepared by the Scrutiny Officer in relation to proposals by the Department for Education, Sport and Culture for certain reforms to the current student support system. The Panel, having recalled that the previous Education and Home affairs Panel had commenced and then suspended a review on this matter pending the Department's own review, invited Deputy M. Tadier to join them. Members also considered the draft White Paper which had been forwarded by the Department. Conscious of the broad issues involved in this matter, members requested a briefing from the Minister. | MH |
| 6. Date of next meeting Next Panel meeting: Monday 26th November at 9.30am |
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