Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 21 September 2015

Present

Deputy S.M. Brée, Chairman Deputy D. Johnson

Apologies

Connétable J.E. Le Maistre Connétable M.J. Paddock

Absent

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

Item 5 2.09.15

513/47

1. Transfer of functions

The Panel met (without agenda) to consider the potential for a review into aspects of the Draft States of Jersey (Transfer of Functions No. 8) (Miscellaneous  Transfers)  (Jersey)  Regulations  201-  (P.46/2015). Since the last meeting the Chairman had discussed the matter with the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, which welcomed the idea that the Economic Affairs Panel might be able to take over some areas of the ongoing Corporate Services review. In particular it was suggested that Economic Affairs could take responsibility for reviewing the proposed transfers of Sport and Culture from Education, Sport and Culture into the Economic Development Department, and Digital, Competition and Innovation  out  of  Economic  Development  to  the  Chief  Minister's Department.

Discussion focused on the very limited time available before the date currently set for debate (20th October 2015). It was agreed that the first step would be to meet with the Chief Minister, to find out a) whether he would support the Panel's involvement in the review; b) if he would be prepared to delay the debate to give time for a review to take place; and c) if it was essential for the debate to take place before the end of the year. It was agreed that a) and b) were prerequisites without which there would be no point in the Panel attempting to carry out a review. It was noted that even if these conditions were met, if the debate was required to take place before the end of the year as was understood to be the case, there would still be insufficient time to carry out an in- depth review. With this in mind it was further agreed that should the review go ahead, it would ask for submissions from departments and carry out hearings with Ministers, but would not attempt to engage with other stakeholders or the general public in the first instance, as there would be too little time to ensure fair representation or full responses. It was considered that there might be opportunities for more detailed work to be carried out later, but the aim of the initial review would be to establish basic facts about the reasoning behind the Chief Minister's proposed transfers and their potential impact, and lodge Comments on the Proposition to inform States Members of this background in time for the debate. The production of a full Scrutiny report would be ruled out

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for lack of time. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to arrange an early meeting  with  the  Chief  Minister,  preferably  with  the  Minister  for Economic Development also present.

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515/1/1(3)

2. Condor Ferries

The  Panel  considered  serious  problems  and  disruption  to  services encountered over several days by Condor passengers booked to travel to and from the UK. It was understood that the Minister for Economic Development had announced that he would bring forward a full service review (scheduled to take place in 2017) as a matter of urgency. Panel members  raised  the  possibility  of  a  Scrutiny  review,  which  had previously been considered as part of the Panel's work programme. It was noted that the Scrutiny Code of Practice prevented Panels from commencing reviews into topics that were already being addressed by others. It was agreed that the Panel should make the Minister aware of its interest in this matter and ask for an early meeting to discuss the situation, with a view to the Panel having some input into the Minister's review. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to contact the department to advise of the Panel's interest and request a meeting.  

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