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Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 18 March 2015

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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

18th March 2015

 

Present

Deputy S.M. Brée, Vice-Chairman Connétable M.J. Paddock

Deputy D. Johnson

Apologies

Connétable J.E. Le Maistre, Chairman

Absent

 

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of meetings

The  Minutes  of  meetings  held  on  4th  and  6th  March  2015  were approved and signed.

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Item 1 06.03.15

515/31

2. Ports of Jersey Incorporation

The Panel welcomed its new advisers, Ms. L. Congdon and Mr. R. Kaberry  of  York  Aviation for  an  initial  discussion  about the  review. Topics raised included the Case for Incorporation; the Shadow Board; the Memorandum of Understanding; the Strategic Business Plan; the Financial Model; and Commercial Projects. Members noted a reference to a new body, the Ports Policy Group', in the draft Memorandum of Understanding received earlier in the week and agreed to seek more information in respect of this.

The  discussion  highlighted  a  need  for  more  detail  in  some  key documents; it was considered that more specific definitions would be needed to protect the Island's interests in some areas. Questions were also raised about the apparent absence of productivity increases and the rate of increase of operational costs in the financial model.

The urgency of the review was discussed. The advisers confirmed that they would provide a completed report to the Panel as early as possible during the week commencing 13th April 2015. Members agreed that it would be preferable to await the report before key public hearings with Ministers and Ports of Jersey took place, although time would then be extremely short before the proposed date for debate.  

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3. Cyberbullying and harmful online communications

Members noted an offer of a briefing on this subject received from the Economic Development Department. It was understood that a Green Paper was due to be published before Easter. Bearing in mind the urgency of the Panel's review of the Ports of Jersey Incorporation, members considered it would be hard to find time for a briefing either before, or soon after Easter. It was agreed to ask the department to forward  the  Green  Paper  when  ready,  together  with  any  relevant

 

 

 

background information. Members would look at this with a view to attending a briefing at a later date.

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4. Quarterly public hearing

The Panel noted that a quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Economic Development was proposed for 26th  March 2015. In the absence  of  a  departmental  update  on  priority  work-streams  and following  recent  advice  concerning  a  delay  to  the  Rural  Economy Strategy, members felt  that  it  would  be  preferable  to  postpone the quarterly meeting until a specific agenda could be agreed. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to request an update on departmental priorities and ongoing work.

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5. Forthcoming meetings

  • Private  briefing  with  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General: 11.30am on 23rd March 2015, Lincoln Chambers, 31 Broad Street
  • Public  hearing  with  Unite  the  Union  and  JCSA/Prospect: 2.00pm on 23rd March 2015, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Next  scheduled  Panel  meeting:  9.30am  on  1st  April  2015, Blampied Room, States Building

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