Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 13 November 2013

Present

Deputy S.G. Luce , Chairman Connétable S.W. Pallett, Vice-Chairman Connétable M.J. Paddock

Connétable J.E. Le Maistre

Apologies

In attendance

Mr. T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.  Record of Meeting

The record of the Panel's meetings held on 30th October and 5th November  2013  were  approved  by  the  Panel,  and  signed  by  the Chairman.

30/10/13 Item 3

515/28

2. Digital Skills

The  Sub-Panel  Chairman  updated  the  Panel  about  recent  work, notably that the draft scoping document and Terms of Reference for the Review had been sent to the Chairmen's Committee. Preparations were  being  finalised  to  publicly  launch  the  Review,  including distribution  of  targeted  submission  requests  and  a  public  Call  for Evidence by the end of the week.

30/10/13 Item 8 515/26

3. Jersey Innovation Fund

The  Panel  considered  information  received  that  morning  from  the Economic  Development  Department,  following  a  request  made  in follow up to the transcript of the Public Hearing held on 17th October 2013.  It  agreed  that  further  questions  had  been  raised  by  the information received, and a number of inconsistencies would need to be clarified before it could finalise its Comments.

The  Panel  agreed  that  it  would  write  to  request  the  Minister  for Economic  Development  to  defer  debate  of  P.121/2013  Jersey Innovation Fund: Board Remuneration scheduled for 19th November 2013, and to respond to further questions raised by the Panel.

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05/11/13 Item 1 515/30

4. Enterprise Strategy

The Panel noted information received that morning from the Economic Development Department, following a request made in follow up to the transcript of the Public Hearing held on 17th October 2013. It agreed that it had not had sufficient time to fully consider the information provided, and would therefore discuss it further at its next scheduled meeting.

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30/10/13 Item 4

5. Financial Services Ombudsman

515/24

The  updated  scoping  document  and  Terms  of  Reference  for  the Panel's Review of the draft Financial Services Ombudsman (Jersey) Law  201-  were  approved.  The  Panel  recalled  that  it  was  due  to receive a publishable version of the draft law from the Minister for Economic Development before the States recess in December, and noted that the States of Guernsey was due to hold its delayed debate on related proposals that day.

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30/10/13 Item 5

515/31

6. Ports of Jersey Incorporation

The Panel re-considered papers received from the Ports of Jersey detailing  the  timeframe  for  delivery  of  various  incorporation  work- streams. It was agreed that the Panel would write to the Minister for Economic  Development  requesting  receipt  of  certain  documents scheduled  to  be  available  in  the  timetable,  and  to  express  initial concern about the possible impact of the proposed extended timetable for the conveyancing of non-operational assets.

The Panel also agreed that it would be beneficial to undertake a follow up site visit to the airport in particular, which in the case of Connétable J.E. Le Maistre would be an initial visit, which would be requested in due course.

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30/10/13 Item 6

515/29

7. Retail Sector Review

The Panel considered and approved the outline Review timetable, noting the steps to be undertaken the following week to publically launch the Review.

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8. Machinery of Government Review

The Panel was advised that the Chairmen's Committee had met on 12th November 2013 and considered the recommendations of the Machinery of Government Sub-Committee. It had agreed to undertake consultation  with  the  individual  Scrutiny  Panels  on  its  proposed response to each of the recommendations, and had circulated a paper for consideration. The Panel considered the paper and agreed its response accordingly.

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9. Future meetings

The Panel noted that its next meeting was scheduled for 9.30am in Le Capelain Room, States Building on 27th November 2013.