Corporate Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 12 January 2015

Present

Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré, Chairman Deputy S.M. Bree, Vice-Chairman Connétable C.H. Taylor

Deputy K.C. Lewis

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr T. Oldham , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

Item 1 07.01.15

513/46

1. Jersey International Finance Centre

The Panel approved correspondence to be distributed to the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding recent media comments attributed to the Chairman of the States of Jersey Development Company. It further approved separate correspondence to the Managing Director of the States of Jersey Development Company in response to a letter received from that company on 9th January.

The Members were updated about the progress being made by its adviser in preparing a report for submission to conclude his opening phase of work, assisting the Panel with the establishment of Terms of Reference. A target date of Friday 16th January was established for submission of the report, following which the Panel would consider the next steps of its Review.

TO

Item 2 07.01.15

513/47

2. Re-naming of Ministers and Transfer of Functions

The Panel recalled its previous agreement to seek to appoint advisers to the Review in relation to financial services regulation and property management.  It  was  agreed  that  the  Vice-Chairman  and  Chairman respectively would continue to liaise with the Officer to identify potential advisers, with the aim of establishing contact with potential candidates later that week.

The matter of recent press releases issued in the name of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, in relation to the proposed Port Galots development, were discussed. The Panel noted that until draft legislation giving rise to the proposed Ministerial establishment and re- naming  and  transfer  of  functions  legislation  had  been  lodged, undergone the due scrutiny process, debated and approved by the States  Assembly,  responsibility  for  such  property  matters,  and  in particular the responsibility for the actions of Jersey Property Holdings, remained  legally  the  responsibility  of  the  Minister  for  Treasury  and Resources. As such, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services should not be publically commenting on such matters in his capacity as Minister. The Panel agreed to write to the Chief Minister expressing its

SB/JLF /TO

TO

position  and  requesting  the  Chief  Minister  to  duly  clarify  such responsibilities so as to address this area of confusion.

Item 3 07.01.15

513/45

3. Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2016 – 2019

The Panel noted arrangements for a briefing to all States Members by the  Fiscal  Policy  Panel  (FPP)  on  30th  January,  and  a  subsequent meeting between the Panel and the FPP on the same day. It agreed that its adviser, MJO Consulting Ltd, should be asked to attend that meeting. Furthermore, in anticipation of the commencement of work on its Review and the meeting with the FPP, the merits of a meeting with its adviser before 30th January should be explored.

TO/JH

4. Future Meetings

Having met on this date, the Panel agreed to postpone its meeting provisionally scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday 14th January.