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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
5th April 2016
Present | Deputy S.M. Brée, Chairman Deputy D. Johnson , Vice-Chairman Connétable J.E. Le Maistre Connétable M.J. Paddock |
Apologies |
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Absent |
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In attendance | Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of meetings The Minutes of the meetings held on 29th February and 2nd March 2016 were approved and signed. | MO |
| 2. Draft Protocol for Engagement between Scrutiny Panels and the Executive The Panel discussed the draft protocol. Members felt that as a final draft, this appeared somewhat naïve in parts. As any such protocol would need both sides to agree to its terms, it was thought that the document in its present form might disappear. Members raised various concerns, but rather than address these immediately it was agreed to await the circulation of comments (already in draft) by the Environment, Housing and Technical Services Panel, who were understood to have similar misgivings. The Chairman of that Panel agreed to forward them to members when they were finalised. In the meantime the Scrutiny Officer was asked to circulate electronic copies of the draft protocol and the existing Code of Practice to enable members to compare them and comment on any significant changes or areas of concern. | DJ MO |
| 3. Dormant Bank Accounts The Panel welcomed (at 11.00am) the Assistant Chief Minister (Senator Ozouf ), the Director of Financial Services, and the Director, Finance Industry Development for a private briefing on the Draft Dormant Bank Accounts (Jersey) Law 201- (P.25/2016), lodged on 15th March. The Panel noted that it had only been made aware of the proposition very recently, although this was disputed by the Assistant Chief Minister. Following the briefing the Panel agreed that there were a number of potential concerns about the proposals. As the Assistant Chief Minister was unwilling to defer the debate (due to take place on 26th April) it would be necessary to call the proposition in for Scrutiny. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to prepare suitable scoping and draft terms of reference for the Panel's consideration. | SB MO |
Item 4 10.02.16 | 4. Licensing Law |
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515/35 | It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Minister confirming the Panel's intention to carry out a review and the intended terms of reference. Concerns were noted about reviewing proposals that were not yet fixed; it was agreed that the letter should draw attention to this, and ask for a detailed briefing to take place after the department had considered the results of the ongoing consultation (due to close on 19th April), once the proposals were finalised. It was considered that the consultation responses and a public petition opposed to a ban on price promotions might result in some changes to the original proposals. | MO |
| 5. Harmful Telecommunications The Panel welcomed (at 3.30pm) the Assistant Chief Minister (Senator Ozouf ), the Director of Financial Services, the Policy Director, Community and Constitutional Affairs, and the Manager, Digital Economy and Media Strategy for a private briefing on the Draft Telecommunications (Amendment No. 3) and Crime (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Jersey) Law 201- (P.19/2016). It was noted that this had been lodged on 1st March for debate on 12th April, and the briefing was only taking place a week before the debate. The Panel requested a deferral to allow time for members to look at the proposition in more detail. As the Assistant Chief Minister was unwilling to defer the debate the Panel agreed to call the proposition in for Scrutiny. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to prepare suitable scoping and draft terms of reference. The Panel also discussed an approach from members of another Scrutiny Panel who had expressed an interest in participating in a review if a Sub-Panel was considered. All members agreed the topic was important and it was decided by a majority to work as a full Panel, although it was noted that submissions from other Scrutiny members would be welcomed. | SB MO MO |
| 6. Financial Services, Digital, Competition and Innovation Following the briefing on Harmful Telecommunications the Panel was also briefed by the Assistant Chief Minister and the Director of Financial Services on the department's overall work programme and work in progress. The Assistant Chief Minister offered regular meetings with the Panel as a means of improving communication in future. | MO |
| 7. Forthcoming meetings Next scheduled Panel meeting: 9.30am on 20th April 2016, Blampied Room, States Building | MO |