Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 19 November 2014

Present

Connétable J.E. Le Maistre, Chairman Connétable M.J. Paddock

Deputy S.M. Brée

Deputy D. Johnson

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

515/1(1)

1. Vice-Chairman

The Panel agreed to appoint Deputy Brée as Vice-Chairman.

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515/1/1(2)

2. Working Practices

The Panel discussed preferences for future working practices. It was agreed that the Panel would meet fortnightly on Wednesday mornings of non-States weeks, with meetings to start at 9.30am. It was further agreed that scheduled meetings would be held in private; hearings would be held in public. Members requested hard copies of all papers required for meetings.

The  Panel  noted  that  separate  early  briefings  with  the  Minister  for Economic Development and officers of Financial Services would be required, and identified 1st and 4th December as possible dates. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to contact the department to make suitable arrangements.

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515/1/1(7)

3. Conflicts of Interest

The Panel discussed areas where individual members might potentially be  conflicted  in  their  Scrutiny  roles  owing  to  personal  or  business interests. The Chairman indicated that he would consider himself to be conflicted in matters relating to the Rural Economy Strategy; however, it was noted that he might be able to contribute to a review on this topic as a witness. Deputy Johnson informed the Panel that he was closely related to the head of the Internal Audit Department, although it was not expected that this would create a conflict of interests. It was noted that the Deputy had previously worked in the field of financial services.

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510/1(3)

4. Scrutiny Training

Members were reminded of the Scrutiny training arranged for 2nd and 3rd December, and all agreed to attend if possible. (The Chairman indicated that he might miss a small part of the training owing to prior commitments.)

The Panel considered proposals for Scrutiny Panels to visit the House of Commons and Portcullis House to view relevant Select Committees

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in  action  and  meet  Members  and  officers.  It  was  noted  that arrangements  would  need  to  be  made  soon,  as  advice  had  been received that all visits would need to be completed by February 2015 because of the forthcoming UK General Election. All Panel members expressed an interest, and it was agreed that they would prefer to pay for  the  visit  themselves,  notwithstanding  that  such  visits  were considered to be beneficial to Scrutiny and would normally be funded centrally.  The  Scrutiny  Officer  was  asked  to  investigate  possible arrangements and report back to the Panel, if possible avoiding dates between 12th and 19th January 2015 when the Chairman would not be available.

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515/1/1(1)

5. Legacy Report and Work Programme

Members  considered  the  legacy  report  of  the  outgoing  Panel  and discussed  possible  topic  areas  for  future  work.  Topics  considered included retail; licensing laws; the Innovation Fund; digital skills; and efficiency savings. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to request updates on the Innovation Fund, Incorporation of Ports of Jersey, the Jersey Aircraft Registry and Tourism as part of the Panel's first briefing from the  Minister  for  Economic  Development.  It  was  suggested  that  the Panel might request a meeting with Mr. K. Keen and Mr. J. Henwood in the  New  Year  to  discuss  developments  concerning  Tourism.  The Scrutiny Officer was also asked to collate information received by the previous Economic Affairs Panel with regard to the Incorporation of Ports of Jersey, for circulation to members by way of internet links.

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6. Forthcoming meetings

Subject to arrangements to be confirmed for Panel briefings the next Panel meeting would take place on 1st or 4th December 2014.

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