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Health and Social Security - Approved Panel Minutes - 21 April 2016

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Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date: 21st April 2016

 

Present

Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman Deputy J. Hilton

Deputy T. McDonald

Apologies

Deputy M. Tadier [Item 3 only]

Absent

 

In attendance

Miss K. Boydens , Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of Meetings

The Panel noted and approved the records of the meetings held on 31st March  and  6th  April  2016.  The  Chairman  thereby  signed  them accordingly.

 

12/04/16 Item 1

2. Age Discrimination Regulations

The Panel received some draft Comments on the draft Discrimination (Age) (Jersey) Regulations 201-. Following minor amendments these were approved by the Panel.

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31/03/16 Item 2

517/34

3. Living on Low Income

The Panel noted that a Public Hearing with the Minister for Social Security had been organised for Thursday 5th May. Furthermore, the Panel's advisor was due to visit Jersey on 4th and 5th May to prepare and attend the Hearing. The Officer advised that these arrangements would be confirmed as soon as possible. In that regard, the Panel agreed to hold an afternoon slot on the 4th May in order to prepare for the Public Hearing.

The Panel discussed possible areas of questioning for the Hearing with the Social Security Minister. The Officer advised that a draft question plan would be circulated in due course.

The Panel noted that it had received a letter from Dr. N. Minihane, Chairman of the Primary Care Body. The Panel tasked the Officer to arrange a meeting with Dr Minihane so that the issues raised in his letter could be discussed further. The Officer advised that the meeting would be confirmed in due course.

The Panel recalled that a letter had been sent to Age Concern asking for  a  written  submission  and  a  meeting  with  some  of  the  charity's service users. The Officer advised that no response had been received to date despite a second, follow-up letter and phone calls to the charity. The Panel tasked the Officer to follow up the letter in order that a meeting could be arranged, preferably before the Public Hearing on 5th May.

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The  Panel  had  previously  considered  asking  the  Social  Security Department if it could obtain Income Support advisors' views on the income support system. The Officer advised that it was usual practice for Scrutiny Panels to hold the Minister to account and not individual officers. The Panel agreed not to pursue the idea any further.

 

17/03/16 Item 2

517/33

4. Zero-Hour Contracts

The Panel noted that two meetings had been arranged to take place on Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th April in order to discuss the draft report.

 

31/03/16 Item 3

517/23

5. Future Hospital Sub-Panel

The Panel received an update from the Chairman and Officer on the progress  of  the  review.  It  was  noted  that  the  Panel  was  due  to undertake a preliminary review of the hospital process. Deputy J. Hilton advised that she would like to join the Sub-Panel.

RR

23/07/15 Item 4

513/45

6. Medium Term Financial Plan

The Panel briefly discussed the Medium Term Financial Plan and was advised that it was due to be lodged on 30th June and debated in September 2016. The Panel noted that the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel was developing a framework for all Scrutiny Panels.

The Officer advised that further information would be added to the Panel's agenda on 19th May.

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7. Disability Strategy

The Panel received an update from the Officer regarding a Service User Forum meeting which had taken place on 19th April. It was advised that the views and experiences of people with disabilities who attended the meeting would be used to develop the Disability Strategy in 2017.

 

 

8.  Standing  Order  72:  Referral  of  draft  Law  or  Regulations for Scrutiny

The  Panel  was  reminded  by  the  Chairman  of  Standing  Order  72 (Referral of draft Law or Regulations for Scrutiny) and whether the States should vote on which meeting the 2nd reading of a draft Law or Regulation should be listed to continue. It was noted that this issue would be raised at the next States sitting on 26th April.

 

 

9. Future Meetings

The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 5th May in the Le Capelain room, States Building. It was further noted that this meeting would be dedicated to the Living on Low Income review.