Education and Home Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 05 December 2016

Present

Deputy T. A. Vallois, Vice-Chairman Deputy J. M. Maçon

Deputy S. Y. Mezec

Apologies

Deputy L. M. C. Doublet , Chairman

Absent

In attendance

Deputy R.G. Bryans, Minister for Education (Item 3 only) Mr J. Donovan, Chief Education Officer (Item 3 only)

Mr M. Robbins, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.  Records of Meetings

The minutes were approved and signed for the meetings held on 14th and 15th November 2016.

MR

Item 3 12.09.16

2.  Conflict of Interest

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

Item 3 25.11.16

3.  Quarterly Public Hearing Education

The Panel received Deputy R.G. Bryans, Minister for Education, and the Chief Education Officer for a public hearing where the Panel questioned the Minister on various educational policies. The hearing was recorded in order that a transcript could be made of the proceedings. The hearing was also filmed in its entirety. A transcript, podcast and film footage were all published on the Scrutiny website.

Item 6 14.11.16

4.  Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 Reform

The Panel noted that this subject had been discussed at the Chairmen's Committee meeting of 22nd November 2016. The Committee recalled P.128/2014 Cannabis: possession of cannabis for treatment purposes

– petition lodged by Deputy M. Tadier , which was rejected by the States, and agreed that a review was unlikely to lead to a different outcome during this Assembly. The Committee agreed, with the exception of Deputy T.A. Vallois, that it would not therefore establish a Review Panel. It was, however, recognised that the issue raised was not without merit for a Scrutiny review at a more appropriate time, and that it was a wide ranging matter. It was agreed that Chairmen would remain mindful of the subject and of potential opportunities to ask related questions during other reviews or quarterly hearings.

The Panel agreed to ask a question relating to the topic at the Quarterly Public Hearing with the Minister for Home affairs that was scheduled for 6th December 2016 and to discuss the matter further at its meeting on 9th January 2017.

MR

5.  Aspects of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956.

The Panel maintained that this subject was outside the remit of the Panel and declined to examine proposed changes to the law. The matter fell within the remit of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel and that Panel was to consider it if it felt it appropriate to do so.

MR

6.  Training for Scrutiny Members

The Panel considered training that might prove useful for Members and recognised that there was much to be learned about the weight of evidence and obtaining such evidence. It was recognised that any such training would have to be tailored for the needs of Scrutiny.

MR

516/46

Item 1 25.11.16

7.  Tertiary Education: Student Finance

The Panel noted that a workshop for students in the Island who may be back for the holidays, or studying in Jersey, was to be held on 4th January 2017. It was also noted that a workshop for the public was to be held on 12th January 2017.

The Public Hearing with the Minister for Education on 13th January 2017 was confirmed. Arrangements for the advisor to attend were to be made.

8.  Tertiary Education: Department Budgeting

The Panel noted that the scoping had not been completed due to other pressures and agreed that a question should be asked of the Minister for Education in relation to the exact nature of the problem.

MR

9.  Future Meetings

The Panel approved times and dates for meetings to be held throughout 2017.

The next meeting would be held between 0930 and 1200hrs on Monday 9th January 2017 in the Le Capelain Room.

MR MR