Public Accounts Committee - Approved Committee Minutes - 9 September 2016

Present

Deputy A. Lewis , Chairman Connétable C.H. Taylor Deputy J.A. Martin

Mr M. Robinson

Mr G. Drinkwater

Apologies

Mr R. Parker

In attendance

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

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.  Apologies

Apologies were received from Mr R. Parker.  

2.  Expressions of Interest

The  Committee  noted  that  the  Chairman  was  still  actively encouraging States members to join PAC.

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3.  Declarations of Interest

The Committee noted declarations of interest. Mr M. Robinson in relation to Travel and Accommodation and Mr Parker in relation to commercially sensitive information relating to HRG.

4.  Next Meetings

The Committee agreed it would meet on 3rd October 2016 at 12:30 in the Blampied Room, States Building. It also aged to hold extra meetings in order to undertake review discussions and public hearings.

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08.08.16 Item 6

5.  Quarterly Meetings with Chief Minister

The Chairman's next Quarterly meeting with the Chief Minister was scheduled for 4th November 2016.

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6.  Financial Management

The Committee noted the report had been presented to the States on 10th August 2016, and the Executive Response should be received on Monday 26th September.

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08.08.16 Item 8

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7.  Travel and Accommodation Expenses Review

The  Committee  noted  a  draft  report  and  agreed  to  consider amendments together with findings and recommendations, and advise the Officer by email. It also requested the Officer to seek clarification on a number of points from the Chief Executive by email and circulate his response, to be incorporated into the

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report. It agreed it would like to present a report after the summer recess.

08.08.16 Item 9

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8.  Fuel Farm Lease Renewal

The Committee noted a Public Hearing with the Chief Executive Officer of the States of Jersey, Mr. J. Richardson, would be held on  Monday  12th  September  2016  and  agreed  to  send amendments of the draft question plan to the Officer. It also agreed to call the Chief Officer, Economic Development, Sport, Tourism  and  Culture  Department  and  the  Chief  Officer, Department for Infrastructure, for a future public hearing.

The Committee also noted the Chairman held a meeting with Senator P.F.C. Ozouf on 18th August, and a meeting with the Chief Fire Officer on 8th September, relating to their respective roles in the lead up to the lease renewal. They agreed to be called as witnesses to a future public hearing if deemed necessary.

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9.  C&AG – Jersey Audit Office Audit Plan

The C&AG presented a confidential project specification for the award and monitoring of grants. It also received a presentation on Management Information in Education and a verbal update of the Annual Report and Accounts. It noted the latter was in draft form and was yet to be formally approved.

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08.08.16 Item 11

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10. eGov Report

The  Committee  noted  that the  eGov  terms  of  reference  and scoping  document  had  been  agreed  by  the  Chairmen's Committee on 22nd August. Mr M. Robinson and the PAC Officer had sent a request for information to the Chief Executive and the Programme Director, who were seeking clarification about the information required. They had agreed to discuss the way forward with the Committee informally directly after the public hearing relating to the fuel farm had taken place on 12th September 2016.

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08.08.16 Item 12

11. PAC Symposium

The Chairman and PAC Officer were still to attend the 4th Public Accounts Committees Symposium in London on 17th-18th October 2016, and a space had been made available for another member since the former Vice-Chairman's departure. Mr G. Drinkwater agreed to attend the event if no new members had been identified to join the PAC.  

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