Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 5 May 2015

Present

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

Apologies

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

Absent

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

Also present

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

Item 1 01.05.15

515/31

1. Ports of Jersey Incorporation

The  Panel  met  without  agenda  to  consider  recent  developments. Members  had  received  an  updated  draft  of  the  Memorandum  of Understanding (MOU) from the Minister for Treasury and Resources (version 4.0), and discussed the possibility of asking the Comptroller and  Auditor  General  for  her  views  on  whether  this  took  the recommendations  in  her  report  Jersey  Telecom:  The  States  as Shareholder (R.9/2014) sufficiently into account. Members asked for clarification  on  the  status  of  the  draft  and  whether  it  might  be considered confidential.

The forthcoming date for the debate (12th May 2015) was discussed. In light of the need for further work on the MOU, members considered it might be necessary to ask for a further delay, or to ask the States for the proposition to be referred to the Panel. The Scrutiny Officer advised the Panel of a telephone conversation with the Economic Development Department's Scrutiny Liaison Officer in which it was suggested that following an email sent from the Chairman to the Minister on 1st May, the department was minded to move for another deferral. However, this could depend on an assurance that there was a realistic prospect of the Panel completing its review and comments in time for the revised date, which would probably be 2nd June 2015. The Scrutiny Officer had confirmed that subject to any unforeseen developments, this should be possible. It had also been confirmed that in the temporary absence of the Chairman, the department should address correspondence to the Vice-Chairman.

MO

MO