Economic Afairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 5 October 2016

Present

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

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.  Records of meetings

The  Minutes  of  meetings  held  on  21st  and  22nd  September  were approved and signed.

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Item 1 22.10.16

515/33(2)

2.  Medium Term Financial Plan Addition

The Panel considered the debate on the MTFP Addition and associated matters. In the Panel's view, the level of detail in much of the Addition was unsatisfactory, especially in view of the extra year that departments had been given to prepare it. Sections relating to the Panel's remit were so  vague  that  without  further  investigation  it  was  impossible  to  tell whether projected savings were realistic or went far enough, or to come to  any  meaningful  conclusions  about  spending  plans.  Unfortunately additional information provided in response to questions from the Panel had  not  proved  very  enlightening.  It  was  thought  that  the  lack  of transparency was exacerbated by the way spending and savings in the MTFP continued to be based on and compared with previous patterns of  expenditure.  The  Panel's  adviser  recommended  a  zero-based budgeting approach, which would be more challenging and much more informative.

The Panel agreed that the mechanism and timing of the MTFP was flawed. Following the States approval of the original MTFP in 2015 it was  felt  that  the  Addition  now  delivered  was  not  worth  the  wait. Members  considered  that  there  must  be  more  effective  ways  of developing and monitoring department spending and savings plans.

Item 3 21.10.16

3.  Rural Economy Strategy

The Panel noted that with less than three months to go before the new RES was due to be implemented, the industry appeared not to know the full details of the proposed scheme. This did not seem fair, as farmers needed to have a clear understanding of the proposed subsidy structure and  associated  environmental  requirements to  enable  them to  plan investment in their businesses for the year ahead.

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The Panel asked the Scrutiny Officer to draft a letter to the Minister requesting a delay in the implementation of the strategy to allow time for proper scrutiny.

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Item 2 20.04.16

515/35

4.  Licensing Law

Members were reminded of revised timings for a briefing with the Assistant Minister to take place on 7th October. Some concerns were expressed about the lack of reference in the draft law to positive issues such as economic  growth.  It  was  agreed  that  the  review  should  include  the opportunity for discussion with representatives of the tourist industry.

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5.  Jersey Sport

Apologies had now been received from both the Assistant Minister with responsibility and senior department officers for not sending the recently published Jersey Sport report to the Panel. The Panel noted that the plan appeared to involve yet another arms' length organisation which would receive States' funding but be controlled by its own Board, outside direct department  control.  Some  concerns  were  expressed  about  differences between amateur and professional sport, and the need to ensure a suitable balance on the Board. Members also queried whether a memorandum of understanding would be set up, as the organisation was to be established as a trust.

The Scrutiny Officer was asked to arrange a detailed briefing for the Panel, preferably as part of the next scheduled Panel meeting.

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Item 3 18.05.16

6.  Limited Liability Partnership Law

The Panel agreed that it did not wish to revisit the draft law prior to the debate. Changes in the version lodged since the Panel's previous briefing with the Assistant Chief Minister in May were relatively minor in nature.

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7.  Forthcoming meetings

Next  scheduled  Panel  meeting:  9.30am  on  19th  October  2016, Blampied Room, States Building.

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