Public Accounts Committee - Approved Committee Minutes - 11 April 2016

Present

Connétable C.H. Taylor

Deputy J.A. Martin

Deputy S.M. Wickenden (Acting Chairman) Mr R.J. Parker

Mr M. Robinson

Apologies

Deputy A. Lewis , Mr G. Drinkwater

In attendance

Mrs. K. McConnell, Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) Ms C. Tomlinson, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.  Apologies

 Apologies  were  received  from  Mr  G.  Drinkwater  and  the Chairman  

AL

2.  Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 7th  March 2016.

CT

3.  Declarations of Interest

Mr M. Robinson agreed to withdraw from the Review on Travel and  Accommodation  expenses  as  he  was  a  States'  senior Officer at the material times.

CT

4.  Visit

The Panel agreed to meet with the National Audit Office Director of Parliamentary Relations on 1st July in Jersey to discuss topics

of mutual interest.

CT

5.  Next meeting

th

The Committee noted its next meeting would be on 16 May 2016 at 12:30.

CT

512/28

6.  Financial Management

The  Committee  noted  the  follow-up  responses  to  its  public hearing,  from  the  Chief  Officer,  Economic  Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Department (EDTS&C), dated 18th March 2016, from the Treasurer of the States, dated 31st March 2016 and from the Chief Officer, Health and Social Services Department dated 24th March 2016, and agreed to incorporate their statements onto the final report.  

CT

7.  JT – States as Shareholder

The Committee noted a further response from the Minister for Treasury  and  Resources,  dated  9th  March  2016.  It  agreed  it

CT

would request further information including a report by Oxera, and  the  high-level  policy  document  mentioned  in  the correspondence.  It  also  noted  the  C&AG  was  undertaking  a review  into  Arms-Length  Organisations (ALOs)  and  agreed  it would not undertake its own review at this time.  

512/30

8.  Future  potential  review  topics  –  Travel  and Accommodation

The Committee noted arrangements for the first public hearing regarding  Financial  Direction  5.7  Travel  and  Accommodation expenditure of States officers, together with a draft question plan for the witnesses, the States of Jersey Chief Executive Officer (Chief Executive) and the Treasurer of the States (Treasurer). It noted a meeting had been held with the Chief Executive, on 1st April  2016,  attended  by   Deputy Wickenden  and  the  Scrutiny Officer,  and  a  number of  documents  had  been  requested  in advance of the public hearing, scheduled for 15th April 2016. It accepted that the Chief Officer of EDTS&C should not be called as a witness whilst his Department was subject to an internal review.

CT

512/29

9.  Fuel Farm Lease

The Committee noted that arrangements for the Public Hearing would have to be changed due to availability of witnesses and relevant documentation. It agreed to postpone the hearing until May, on a date to be confirmed. It also agreed that the Group Chief Executive Officer, Ports of Jersey, and Director of Property Holdings should be called as witnesses to the first session and the  Scrutiny  Officer  should  make  arrangements  to  view  the correspondence leading up to the renewal of the fuel farm lease.

CT

AE Article 37 512/1/1(6)

10. C&AG – FOI Report

The  Committee  noted  a  report  on  Freedom  of  Information published on 17th March 2016 and agreed to request a response

to the action plan from the Chief Executive.

CT

QE Article 37 515/1/1(1)

11. C&AG – Jersey Audit Office Audit Plan

The C&AG presented a brief confidential update on the progress made.

QE Article 37 515/1/1(1)

12. C&AG – Compromise Agreements and e-Gov

The  C&AG  presented a  brief  confidential  update  and  project specification  on  compromise  agreements  and  eGov  and  the Scrutiny Officer was asked to request from the Chief Executive and the Treasurer a response to the recommendations of both reports, once published.

CT