The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 27th November 2013 Meeting No: 122
Present | Senator S.C. Ferguson, Chairman Deputy J.G. Reed, Vice-Chairman Deputy R.J. Rondel |
Apologies | Connétable D.W. Mezbourian |
Absent |
|
In attendance | Mr. W. Millow , Scrutiny Officer Miss S. McKee , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of Meetings The Panel approved the records of the meetings held on 8th, 13th and 14th November 2013. The records were signed accordingly. |
|
22/11/13 Item 1 513/40 | 2. 2014 Budget The Panel noted that its report, Draft 2014 Budget (SR13/2012), had been presented to the States on 26th November 2013 and that its presentation had generated some media coverage. The Panel was advised that the Ministerial Response from Senator P.F.C. Ozouf , Minister for Treasury and Resources, would potentially be received by that week-end, alongside a formal response from the Minister to the recently published report by the Fiscal Policy Panel. The Panel agreed it would evaluate the review at its next scheduled meeting. It was noted that consideration could be given to the amendments which had been lodged to Draft Budget Statement 2014 (P.122/2013) as an indication of issues to be addressed in subsequent work by the Panel. It was also noted that evaluation of the review could include consideration of the use of expert advisors. The Panel noted receipt of an invoice for £7,000 from MJO Consulting. Being advised that this was within the budgetary limit agreed for MJO Consulting's engagement, the Panel noted that arrangements would be made for the invoice to be paid. The Panel was informed that an invoice was still awaited from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The Panel recalled its agreement to lodge an amendment to the Draft Budget that would ensure that additional income generated from increases in Impôts on alcohol and tobacco could be placed in the Health Insurance Fund so that the sums would be expended on health matters. The Panel also recalled that the amendment had been ruled out of order but that it was apparent a standalone proposition to the same general effect could potentially be lodged. Consideration was given to a draft proposition which had previously been circulated. It was noted that the proposition itself did not refer explicitly to the Health | WM WM |
| Insurance Fund, a matter which should be addressed. The Panel ultimately agreed, however, that further information was required before the draft proposition could be approved and lodged. | WM |
21/11/13 Item 1 513/1(41) | 3. Modernisation Programme The Panel recalled its request for a private briefing on the Modernisation Programme. It was noted that the Chief Executive would be able to brief the Panel on 17th December 2013 and it was therefore agreed to hold the briefing at 9:00am on that day. It was noted that the Chairman would make separate arrangements for discussions with the Director of Organisational Development. Consideration was given to the areas that should be covered at the briefing and it was noted that it would be beneficial to be informed about the timetable for subsequent work on the Modernisation Programme. It was agreed to meet on 16th December 2013 to prepare for the briefing, at a time to be confirmed. During its deliberations, consideration was given to the current pay offer for States employees and the provision which had been made in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2015, which was not covered by the current offer. The Scrutiny Officers were requested to verify what provision had been made in the MTFP. | SM SM WM |
13/11/13 Item 3 513/36 | 4. Population and Migration / Long-Term Plan The Panel noted receipt of an update in respect of the Long-Term Plan and the work being undertaken thereon by the Chief Minister's Department. The Panel was advised that, in respect of its requests for information on the Interim Population Policy, no responses had been received from the Executive to either the Panel's correspondence or that of the Scrutiny Officer. It was therefore agreed that the Chairman would write to Senator I.J. Gorst , Chief Minister, to advise him of the matter and to highlight that the failure to provide the Panel with information might hinder the speed at which the Panel could review the Policy. The Panel noted that, on the basis of advice it had previously received from the Executive, the Interim Population Policy would be lodged imminently. The Panel was informed that the Council of Ministers would discuss the subject at its meeting that day. The Panel requested that copies of the letter it had previously despatched to the Assistant Chief Minister on this subject, to which no response had yet been received, be circulated ahead of the Quarterly Public Hearing with the Chief Minister. | SM SM |
13/11/13 Item 5 513/1(40) | 5. Quarterly Public Hearing with Chief Minister The Panel prepared for its Quarterly Public Hearing with the Chief Minister which would be held at 10:00am on 28th November 2013. Amendments to the question plan were identified, which the Scrutiny Officers were requested to enact. The Panel noted that questions regarding the Strategic Housing Unit would be put to the Chief Minister. It was agreed that confirmation would be provided of what the States Assembly agreed with the adoption of The Reform of Social Housing (P.33/2013) and an accompanying amendment from the Health, Social Security and | SM WM |
| Housing (HSSH) Scrutiny Panel. In relation to the Modernisation Programme, on which questions were due to be put, the Panel requested that the Scrutiny Officers confirm the number of pay groups which, if the Programme were accomplished, would exist in the public sector. The Panel requested confirmation of the membership of the Housing and Work Advisory Group. | SM SM |
| 6. Future Meetings The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 18th December 2013. |
|
513/1(41) | 7. Work Programme The Panel, recalling the advice it had previously been given that there was currently capacity for more work to be undertaken, considered its work programme for 2013 and 2014. It was noted that there was provision for a new review to be begun. A number of topics were discussed and it was ultimately agreed that the following topics would be researched for subsequent discussion:
The Scrutiny Officers were therefore requested to research these topics. The Panel recalled its decision that, in 2014, an end-of-term review in respect of the MTFP would be undertaken. Noting that it was currently unclear what that work would entail, the Panel agreed that provisional scoping of the subject should be undertaken. The Scrutiny Officers were requested to undertake the necessary actions. | SM / WM WM |