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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
12th August 2015
Present | Deputy S.M. Brée, Chairman Connétable J.E. Le Maistre Connétable M.J. Paddock |
Apologies | Deputy D. Johnson |
Absent |
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In attendance | Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of meetings The Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd July were approved and signed. | MO |
Item 2 22.07.15 515/32 | 2. Ports of Jersey Limited: Approval of First Board and Terms of Office (P.68/2015) The Panel noted a written reply (dated 3rd August) from the Minister for Treasury and Resources to the Chairman's letter of 28th July. Members considered that the explanation of the use of a holding company (States of Jersey Investments Ltd.) as Shareholder for the States' interest in Ports of Jersey Limited was still unsatisfactory. It was agreed to send a further letter, specifically referring to discussions with the Minister when it was indicated that he would act as Shareholder (with the Treasurer of the States), querying the lack of transparency over this issue and the subsequent introduction of a holding company at a late stage. It was further agreed that item 7 of the report accompanying the Air and Sea Ports (Incorporation) (Jersey) Law (P.5/2015) should be quoted in the letter, as this also stated that the Minister would represent the Public as the Shareholder. | MO |
Item 3 22.07.15 515/1/1(3) | 3. Rural Economy Strategy (RES) The Panel noted an update received from the department following a meeting of Senior Officers on 23rd July. This suggested that it would be proposed to the Minister to extend the existing policy for a further year, pending a service redesign of the Environmental Management and Rural Economy (EMRE) Directorate to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The aim would be for this exercise to be completed by Q3 of 2016. A decision was expected shortly. |
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Item 4 22.07.15 513/45 | 4. Medium Term Financial Plan 2016 – 2019 (P.72/2015) The Panel noted a response received from the department to a set of framework questions produced by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel to assist with its review of the MTFP, and shared with other Panels for use with departments within their remit. It was agreed that |
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| the answers were not very informative, and there appeared to be some inconsistency with details already provided in the MTFP. It would therefore be necessary to ask the department for more meaningful information in the form of a detailed breakdown of figures within the departmental Annex to the MTFP, to include some explanation of objectives and achievements as appropriate. In view of the timing of the MTFP debate the details would be requested to arrive in time for the Panel's next meeting on 2nd September. It was further agreed that in order to follow up any information received, the Minister should be invited to a quarterly public hearing on 16th September 2015, where both wider work-streams and the MTFP would be discussed. | MO MO |
| 5. Transfer of functions It was noted that no information had been received in respect of requests for information about the background to proposals for the transfer of the Sport and Culture functions from Education, Sport and Culture to the Economic Development Department. Enquiries had been met with the explanation that as far as was known, no substantive work had been done by either department to assess the potential impact of the proposals or to plan for the change; a decision had simply been taken by the Council of Ministers that the move should go ahead. The Panel considered that the apparent lack of planning for such significant changes was extremely unusual. It was noted that as one of the Panels whose remit would potentially be most affected, it would be appropriate for the Panel to investigate the possible implications, whether in support of the proposed Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel's review into the wider proposals or independently. It was agreed to advise the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel of the Panel's interest in seeking more information from the departments involved. | MO |
| 6. Forthcoming meetings Next scheduled Panel meeting: 9.30am on 2nd September 2015, Blampied Room, States Building | MO |