Environment, Housing and Technical Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 27 November 2014

Present

Connétable A.S. Crowcroft , Chairman Deputy D. Johnson , Vice-Chairman Deputy M. Tadier

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr. T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer

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Agenda matter

Action

514/1(1)

1. Vice-Chairman

The  Panel  appointed   Deputy  D.   Johnson  as  its  Vice-Chairman  in accordance with Standing Order 135(5).

514/1/1(2)

2. Working Practices

The Panel considered its working practices. It was noted that a shared document facility would be made available in due course in order that Panel Members might access documentation electronically.

The Panel agreed that it would endeavour to engage with the media about the Panel's work, both before and after meetings.

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3. Future Meetings

The Panel considered a draft meeting schedule for 2015 and agreed that it would meet from 9:30am to 11:30am on identified Thursday mornings. It was noted that on two occasions this would not be feasible and  that  the  Panel  would  instead  meet  on  the  corresponding Wednesday morning. It was further noted that, on those occasions, the Vice-Chairman would be unable to attend as meetings of the Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel would take place at the same time.

The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 15th  January  2015. It  was  agreed,  however,  that  if  the  Panel's membership were increased at the next sitting of the States Assembly, a meeting would be held before Christmas 2014.

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4. Quarterly Public Hearings

The Panel considered provisional arrangements for Quarterly Public Hearings. It was agreed that hearings would be arranged in the first instance for February, May or June, and September 2015 with the potential for final hearings to be held in December 2015.

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5. Work Programme

The  Panel,  taking  into  account  the  legacy  report  of  the  former Environment Scrutiny Panel, considered its Work Programme. The Panel noted the provisions of the Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee in respect of work-programming as well as the Panel's Terms of Reference under Standing Orders. It was

further noted that potential review topics could feasibly come from three sources:  Ministerial  priorities;  suggestions  from  the  public;  and  the Panel's own suggestions. In that regard, consideration was given to a number of topics of potential interest. From that consideration it was agreed that the Panel would not undertake a review in relation to taxi regulation  and  that  questions  in  respect  of  the  Energy  Efficiency Scheme would be put at the first Quarterly Public Hearing with the Minister  for  Planning  and  Environment.   The  Panel  considered development of the Esplanade Quarter as a potential work topic. The Panel was advised that the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel was interested in this topic and was due to begin a review of the matter.

During its consideration of work-programming, the Panel agreed that it would be beneficial to meet the three Ministers within its remit. The Panel was advised that arrangements had already been made for the Chairman to meet each Minister. It was agreed that all Panel Members would be invited to those meetings. The Panel also agreed that the Chairman would be kept abreast of forthcoming draft legislation to be debated by the States Assembly in order that he might be made aware of when, under Standing Order 72, he would be asked if he wished to have an item of draft legislation referred to the Panel.

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6. Conflicts of Interest

The Panel noted the provisions of the Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee in respect of declarations and conflicts of interest. The Panel was advised that, dependent upon the circumstances, the Chairman might need to declare an interest for certain reviews due to his position as Connétable of St. Helier .

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7. Marine Protected Areas

The Panel noted receipt of a topic proposal from a member of the public in respect of Marine Protected Areas. The Panel agreed to retain the topic  on  the  list  of  potential  areas  of  work  during  subsequent consideration of its Work Programme.

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8. Scrutiny Training

The  Panel  noted  that  training  for  all  Scrutiny  and  Public  Accounts Committee Members would take place on 2nd and 3rd December 2014.

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9. Visit to Westminster

The  Panel  considered  the  possibility  of  a  visit  to  the  relevant Westminster  Select  Committee  as  part  of  its induction  and  training programme. The Panel confirmed it would like to undertake such a visit and agreed that, if possible, it would prefer to meet the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The Panel was advised that, in conjunction with a visit to Westminster, provision could potentially be made for the Panel also to visit the London Assembly. It was agreed to pursue that latter possibility as well.

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