Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 23 May 2013

Present

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

Apologies

In attendance

Mr T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer Mrs J. Hales , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1. Records of Meetings

The  record  of  the  Panel's  meeting  held  on  8th  May  2013  was approved by the Panel and signed accordingly by the Chairman.

23/5/13 Item 3

515/3(20)

2. McKinsey Review

The Panel was advised of arrangements for it to receive from Jersey Finance confidential documentation relating to the McKinsey Report, including the signing of confidentially agreements and the return of the documentation  at  the  end  of  the  meeting.   Whilst  noting  and respecting the commercial sensitivity of the information concerned, the Panel agreed that under these circumstances it would be unable to satisfactorily scope its planned Review of the implementation of the McKinsey  Review  recommendations,  and  would  therefore  decline receipt of the documentation in these circumstances. It was further agreed that the Chairman would contact the Chief Minister outlining the Panel's concerns and request more appropriate arrangements for it to receive the necessary documentation to be able to carry out its work.

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3. Economic Development Department Workstream

The Panel received and considered the workstream of the Economic Development Department. It was noted that various items appeared outdated, and the Panel requested that the relevant sections should be updated by the Department and ahead of the next Panel meeting.

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4. Tourism Shadow Board

The Panel noted that it had not as yet been informed by the Economic Development  Department  of  the  appointments  made  to  the  new Tourism Shadow Board. However, it understood that this information was  to  be  published  shortly,  although  it  was  also  aware  that  the membership was already known to a number of industry stakeholders. The Panel agreed to request confirmation of the membership of the Tourism Shadow Board from the Department, along with the number of applications that had been submitted.

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5. Jersey Innovation Fund

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The Panel considered the Phase 1 Implementation Timetable' and Phase  2  Project  Plan'  received  from  the  Economic  Development Department, and agreed that it would not be necessary to undertake work at this time. It would continue to monitor developments in order to plan the appropriate timing of its next work on the matter.

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6. Digital Skills/Digital Jersey

The  Panel  received  an  update  from  the  Vice-Chairman  on  the progress of the Digital Skills/Digital Jersey Sub-Panel Review that he was chairing, and was advised that the remaining membership of the Sub-Panel had been confirmed as the Connétable s of St Mary and St Lawrence and Deputy J.M. Maçon. The Sub-Panel had held its first meeting, and was now awaiting the IT Strategy 2013-2015' from the Education,  Sport  and  Culture  Department  which  would  inform  the Review's final scoping and Terms of Reference. In the meantime, the Sub-Panel had identified a number of potential briefings and areas of research that would be pursued.

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7. Financial Services Ombudsman

The Panel was advised about the progress of drafting of the Financial Services Ombudsman legislation, and it was noted that the Primary Legislation  was  in  the  final  stages  of  drafting.  The  Panel  agreed therefore  that  it  would  request  a  briefing  from  the  Economic Development Department on that legislation and the related timetable, in anticipation of launching its planned Review.

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8. Enterprise Strategy

The Panel was presented with an updated Programme Plan from the Economic Development Department, which advised that a draft White Paper would be produced during the week commencing 27th May 2013, when the Panel would also be due to receive a copy along with a briefing from the Department. The Panel agreed that once it had received this document and the briefing, it would be better placed to determine the scope of any potential Review.

In addition, the Panel requested a list of the key stakeholders with whom the Department had consulted or would be consulting on the draft Strategy.

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9. Ports of Jersey Incorporation

The  Panel  received  an  update  paper  on  the  progress  of  the Incorporation of Ports of Jersey.

The Panel agreed that it would request the draft Primary Legislation White Paper, together with the associated timetable, before finalising the scope and nature of this stage of its Review.

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10. Topic Proposal – Financial Services Regulation

The  Panel  received  a  topic  proposal  for  a  Review  named  "Who Regulates  the  Financial  Services  Regulator?"  which  had  been submitted by a member of the Public. A Scrutiny Review of the same name was currently being undertaken in Guernsey.

The Panel agreed that although it would not be undertaking such a Review at this time, it would monitor the Review in Guernsey, which

might inform whether such a Review could be beneficial in Jersey. In the  meantime,  the  Panel  agreed  that  it  would  undertake  some background research into the accountability of the Jersey Financial Services Commission to confirm its understanding of the situation. It also agreed to write to the topic proposer to thank him for his proposal and to advise about the decisions that it had taken.

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11. Quarterly Hearing Update

The Panel noted ongoing delays to its proposed Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Economic Development Although accepting that the limited availability of the Minister was unavoidable at present, the Panel agreed that, if necessary, the attendance of the Chief Minister in his  place  could  be  explored  as  an  alternative  with  the  Economic Development  Department  if  required.  A  number  of  potential  dates were identified to be provided to the Department for the Hearing.

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12. Aircraft Registry

The Chairman updated the Panel on a meeting that he had attended with  the  Chief  Minister,  and  which  included  the  Chief  Officer, Economic Development Department, and H.M. Attorney General, to discuss the progress of the Aircraft Registry project. The Chairman had been informed that a letter was due to be sent to the Minister for Commerce and Employment in Guernsey shortly outlining Jersey's position and preferred Registry model.

The Panel agreed that it remained disappointed at the slow pace at which this project appeared to be progressing, and agreed to request confirmation that the letter had been sent and to question the Minister on the topic at the planned Quarterly Hearing.

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13. Condor Ferries

The Panel recalled that the current permit arrangement for Condor Ferries was due to end in December 2013, and that provision for a five year  permit  had  been  outlined  in  the  Channel  Island  Joint  Policy Statement issued in December 2012. It agreed that as part of its meeting  with  Ports  of  Jersey  after  its  planned  tour  of  St  Helier harbours, it would request an update on the current situation regarding the length and conditions of the new ramp permit.

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14. Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC): Machinery of Government (MOGR)Sub-Committee

As requested by the Chairmen's Committee, the Panel considered the recommendations  of  the  Privileges  and  Procedures  Machinery  of Government  Sub-Committee  report.  The  Panel  agreed  that  the Chairman's submission which had been recently circulated could be used as a Panel response, after Recommendation 7 had been re- circulated for further consideration and any comments duly collated.

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15. Security Interests (Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

The  Panel  considered  an  outline  briefing  paper  from  the  Finance Industry Development section on the imminent Trusts (Amendment No.6) (Jersey) Law 201-, alongside advice that was intended to be lodged for debate before the summer recess. The Panel asked that it be  provided  with  a  briefing  on  the  legislation,  once  drafting  was complete.

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16. Briefing Visits

The  Panel  noted  arrangements  were  being  progressed  for  the following site visits:

• Ports of Jersey – St Helier Harbour
• Jersey Business/Digital Jersey
• Jersey Gambling Commission
• Rural Economy

 It confirmed its availability on 6th June from 10am to 12pm to visit Jersey Business and Digital Jersey.

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17. Future Meetings

The Panel agreed that its next scheduled meeting would take place on Wednesday  12th  June  2013,  10.30am,  Le  Capelain  Room  States Building.

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