This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
Public Accounts Committee
Record of Meeting
Date: 11th January 2016
Present | Deputy A.D. Lewis , Chairman Deputy S.M. Wickenden, Vice-Chairman Connétable C.H. Taylor Deputy J.A. Martin Mr. R.J. Parker Mr. M.J. Robinson |
Apologies | |
Absent | Mr. G. Drinkwater |
In attendance | Mrs. K. McConnell, Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer Ms. C. Tomlinson, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| A1. Minutes The minutes of the meetings held on 19th November and 7th December 2015 were confirmed. | |
Item A2 07.11.15 | A2. Conflicts of Interest No potential conflicts of interest were reported. | |
Item A3 07.11.15 512/1/1(1) | A3. Work Programme The Committee noted an updated report on the status of its work programme for January 2016. Some additional points were raised in the following discussion: - Public Sector Reform: regarding the ministerial response to the Committee's report (PAC.3/2015), the Chief Minister's Department had been invited by the Chairman to reconsider its response to recommendation 1. No further correspondence had yet been received.
- Financial Management: the Comptroller and Auditor General would be meeting with departments and would report back to the Committee.
- The States as Shareholder – JT: the fundamental question about why the States should own JT (arising from the C&AG's report of 2014) had still not been answered. Members considered that this needed to happen before an informed decision on whether to sell or retain the States' interest in the company could be taken. Without such an understanding, or the necessary framework in place there would be no mechanism with which to invoke any desired social or other benefits after a partial sale. The Chairman had written to the Treasury Minister asking him to set out the reasons for ownership, but no reply had yet been received. It was agreed that a further letter should be sent reiterating the request. There was also a need for clarity
| |
| regarding departmental plans to improve the shareholder function within the Treasury; the C&AG intended to follow this up. Members felt that there were some real concerns about the exercise of the shareholder function; the Green Street development by Andium Homes was cited as an example where the shareholder did not appear to have adequately communicated the wishes of the States (regarding preserving green space) to the incorporated body. - Use of Management Information in Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) operating theatres: The C&AG advised that she had received a copy of a letter from the Chief Executive Officer of HSSD concerning the use of Management Information in the Health Department (dated 23rd December 2015) which had not yet reached the Committee. It was agreed that the letter would be forwarded to the Chairman.
- PAC terms of reference and Codes of Practice: the Chairman briefly explained the background to discussions at Chairmen's Committee. Some concern was expressed that the terms of reference and Codes of Practice could become too detailed and prescriptive, potentially reducing flexibility. The Committee agreed that its preference would be for new Codes of Practice to be relatively simple, with more complicated issues to be referred to the Policy and Procedures Committee when needed.
| CT |
1240/25 (10) | A4. States Assembly Annual Report 2015 The Committee considered and approved a draft entry for inclusion in the Annual Report. | |
1443/10 (75) | A5. Community and Social Services (C&AG report) The Panel noted the presentation of report R.131/2015 to the States. | |
