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Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 14 October 2015

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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

14thOctober 2015

 

Present

Deputy S.M. Brée, Chairman Deputy D. Johnson , Vice-Chairman Connétable J.E. Le Maistre

Apologies

Connétable M.J. Paddock

Absent

 

In attendance

Mr. I. Clarkson, Acting Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 30th September 2015, having been circulated previously, were confirmed.

 

Item 2 30.09.15

513/45

2. Medium Term Financial Plan 2016 – 2019 (P.72/2015)

The Panel received a private briefing from a delegation of the Economic Development Department comprising: Senator L.J. Farnham , Minister for Economic Development; Senator P.F.C. Ozouf , Assistant Minister for Economic Development; Connétable S. Pallett, Assistant Minister for Economic  Development;  Mr  M.  King,  Chief  Officer,  Economic Development  Department;  Mr.  A.  Sugden,   Deputy  Chief  Officer, Economic  Development  Department,  and  Mr.  D.   Scott ,  Assistant Director, Economic Development Department.

The delegation explained that, subject to the outcome of the States debate  on  the  Draft  States  of  Jersey  (Transfer  of  Functions  No.8) (Miscellaneous Transfers) (Jersey) Regulations 201- (P.46/2015 refers), the revised focus of the Economic Development Department (EDD) would be on supporting and maximising the productivity of the Island's traditional industries.

Topics discussed in detail included: the extent of financial support for agriculturalists  provided  via  the  Rural  Economy  Strategy;  the commencement of the process to establish Events Jersey; governance arrangements with Visit Jersey; and, various matters arising from the proposals set out in P.46/2015. Senator P.F.C. Ozouf and Connétable J.E. Le Maistre declared financial interests concerning the receipt of payments as a consequence of agricultural activity falling within the scope of the Rural Economy Strategy.

The Panel noted the intention of the EDD to forward to the Panel a copy of the terms of reference for Events Jersey.

Senators L.J. Farnham and P.F.C Ozouf withdrew from the meeting, having been thanked for their attendance.

 

 

Item 6 20.09.15

515/1/1(3)

3. Licensing law

The Panel received a private briefing from a delegation of the Economic Development Department comprising: Connétable S. Pallett, Assistant Minister for Economic Development; Mr M. King, Chief Officer, Economic Development  Department;  Mr.  A.  Sugden,   Deputy  Chief  Officer, Economic Development Department; Mr. D. Scott , Assistant Director, Economic Development Department, and Mr. N. Fox, Strategy Manager, Economic Development Department.

The Panel was apprised of developments following the presentation to the States of R.139/2014 (Alcohol and Licensing Strategy for Jersey'). In particular it was advised that the Shadow Alcohol and Licensing Policy Group was continuing to develop draft legislation that would give effect to the strategy outlined in R.139/2014. Certain changes to the proposed licensing regime were being planned following consultation with the Bailiff .

It was clarified that the Shadow Alcohol and Licensing Policy Group was expecting to have finalised the new draft law in sufficient time to allow for lodging by April 2016. Subordinate legislation would also be made ready for lodging as soon as practicable thereafter.

The  Panel  requested  that  the  Assistant  Minister  for  Economic Development make available to the Panel a copy of the draft law prior to lodging the same au Greffe.'

The members of the delegation withdrew from the meeting, having been thanked for their attendance.

 

Item 4 30.09.15

513/1/1(3)

4. Transfer of functions

The  Panel  received  an  update  on  correspondence  between  the Chairman and the Chief Minister concerning the Draft States of Jersey (Transfer  of  Functions  No.8)  (Miscellaneous  Transfers)  (Jersey) Regulations 201- (P.46/2015 refers).

Having concluded that the Chief Minister was likely to seek to debate P.46/2015  on  20th October  and  having  agreed  that  the  proposition warranted consideration by a Scrutiny Panel in accordance with Standing Order 72, the Panel instructed its officer to clarify whether it would be permissible for the Chairman to have P.46/2015 referred to the Panel.

Officer

Item 5 30.09.15

515/1/1(3)

5. Condor Ferries

The Panel agreed that it was minded to commence a review of the Island's sea links, to include such matters as the high-level policy position for passengers and commercial freight and how existing policy was being advanced through operating agreements such as that which had recently been agreed with Condor Ferries. In this regard, the Panel's officer was instructed to prepare draft terms of reference for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

In the intervening period, the Panel instructed its officer to establish the status of the anticipated Houlder report concerning the safety, suitability and performance of the Condor Liberation passenger vessel and to report

Officer

Officer

 

 

back to the Committee in early course.

 

Item 7 30.09.15

515/1/1(6)

6. Quarterly public hearing

The Panel noted that its next quarterly hearing with the Minister for Economic Development had been scheduled for the afternoon of 16th November 2015.

The Panel gave initial consideration to possible topics for discussion at the quarterly hearing and agreed that members should exchange further thoughts on potential questions via email in relatively early course.

Panel

 

7. Forthcoming meetings

Next  scheduled  Panel  meeting:  9.30am  on  11th November  2015, Blampied Room, States Building