Chairmen's Committee - Approved Panel Minutes - 27 April 2016

Present

Deputy  J.A.N.  Le  Fondré,  President  and  Chairman,  Corporate  Services Scrutiny Panel

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet , Vice-President and Chairman, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel

Deputy A.D. Lewis , Chairman, Public Accounts Committee

Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman, Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel Deputy S.M. Brée, Chairman, Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel

Deputy D. Johnson , Chairman, Environment, Housing and Technical Services Scrutiny Panel

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr T. Oldham , Scrutiny Manager

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

01.03.16 Item 5

1.  Panel Names and Remits

The Committee considered its previous agreement that Panel names should incorporate, where practical, the terminology used to identify Ministers. It was noted that further consideration had been given by the Corporate Services Panel to amending its name in line with the agreed position. The Panel had unanimously agreed that it did not wish to amend its name in the absence of what it considered to be a suitable alternative. The Committee agreed that in the circumstances it did not want to impose a revised name on the Panel, but agreed to retain the agreed principle for future reference. The Vice-President requested that her preference that the name be changed at this stage, in accordance with the agreed principle, should be recorded.

The Committee agreed that all Panels would include an advisory note at the end of media releases detailing the relevant Panel's remit. Officers would draft the necessary paragraph for Panel approval, following which it would be sent for noting to Chairmen's Committee.

In  addition  to  the  matter  of  the  Corporate  Services  Panel,  the Committee recalled its previous agreements regarding the names of Panels. No amendments would be required, except revision of the name of the Environment, Housing and Technical Services Panel to Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel. This change would come into effect immediately. The Committee requested that the Greffier of the States be informed of this change in order that the Constitution of the States of Jersey could be updated.

The Committee recalled and upheld other previous decisions, firstly regarding the naming of the Scrutiny Chairmen's Committee' and secondly that the term Panel' should be replaced with Committee' to more precisely reflect the Panels' role and status and the recognised terminology used in many other Parliaments. It approved associated law drafting instructions.

Regarding  Panel  remits,  the  Committee  approved  law  drafting instructions  in  line  with  its  previous  deliberations  on  proposed updates to Standing Orders. It was agreed that the approved drafting instructions should now be forwarded to the Law Draftsman.

01.03.16 Item 4

2.  Protocol for Engagement between Scrutiny Panels and the Executive

The  current  status  of  the  draft  Scrutiny  and  PAC  Protocols  for Engagement  and  draft  Scrutiny  and  PAC  Proceedings  Codes  of Practice was discussed. It was noted that feedback from most Panels about the draft Scrutiny Protocol had been submitted, which would be given full consideration by the Committee at its meeting on 17th May. In the meantime, it  was noted that feedback had favoured reducing  the  number  of  proposed  Protocols  and  Codes.  The Committee agreed that in place of the 4 proposed documents there should be 2; a joint Scrutiny/PAC Protocol for Engagement with the Executive  and  a  joint  Code  of  Practice  for  Scrutiny  and  PAC Proceedings.

The Committee also approved associated law drafting instructions in relation  to  the  States  of  Jersey  (Powers,  Privileges  and Immunities)(Scrutiny Panels, PAC and PPC) Regulations 2006. The proposals  would  extend  the  current  scope  of  immunity  from prosecution in relation to evidence provided to a Panel, and provide the  ability  for  witnesses  to  be  placed  on  oath,  excluding  States Members. It was agreed that all approved drafting instructions should now be forwarded to the Law Draftsman.

3.  Statement of Intent/Core Objectives

The Committee considered a discussion paper on a range of public engagement and impact initiatives available to Scrutiny Panels a paper, in addition to a report recently published by the UK Institute for  Government  called  Select  Committees  under  Scrutiny:  The impact of parliamentary committee inquiries on government

It was agreed that Chairmen would seek at Panel level to put in to practice  some  of  the  relevant  initiatives  where  appropriate.  This included a general aim to be more pro-active in media and public engagement, and to use Assembly mechanisms available to Panels, such as Statements, to promote their work. It was agreed that Panel Officers would be requested to include an update on activity in these areas on each Panel's activity report to the Chairmen's Committee.

The Committee agreed that further consideration would be given to the  Statement  of  Intent'  as  agreed  by  the  previous  Chairmen's Committee, and development of a similar set of core objectives, at its next meeting.

4.  Future Meetings

It was noted that the Committee was next scheduled to meet on 19th April at 9.30am, Le Capelain Room, States Building.