The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 20th November 2017
Present | Deputy L. M. C. Doublet , Chairman Deputy J. M. Maçon, Vice-Chairman Deputy T. A. Vallois Deputy S. Y. Mezec |
Apologies |
|
Absent |
|
In attendance | Mr A. Harris , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of Meetings The Panel noted and approved records of its meetings held on 16th October and 6th November 2017. The Chairman signed them accordingly. |
|
| 2. Conflict of Interest There were no conflicts declared by Panel Members. |
|
Item 4 06/11/17 516/45 | 3. Nursery Education Funding The Panel noted that no update had been received as to why the early years report presentation had been delayed. The Panel agreed that it would draft an oral question for the States sitting on Monday 27th November 2017, requesting the reason for the delay from the Minister for Education. | AH |
Item 5 06/11/17 516/49 | 4. Student Finance Options The Panel noted an updated scoping document and Terms of Reference for the review. The Panel agreed that they could be circulated to the Chairmen's Committee for approval. The Panel recalled that it agreed to contact the advisor who had assisted it during the initial student finance review. It was noted that the advisor was able to assist the Panel with its work on the preferred option once it was available. The Panel agreed that it would take up this offer. | AH AH |
Item 6 06/11/17 516/50 | 5. Draft Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 201- The Panel noted an updated scoping document and Terms of Reference for its proposed review of the Draft Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 201-. The Panel agreed that they could be circulated to the Chairmen's Committee for approval. The Panel noted that a list of potential expert advisors had been drawn up by the Officer. The Officer explained that the Panel may wish to write to all those identified, requesting a precis of the draft law as opposed to identifying a sole advisor. It was noted that this would increase the information for the Panel, without additional costs. The Panel agreed to | AH AH |
| this course of action, on the condition a specific expert could be identified if needed. The Panel agreed that the issue of budgets would be raised at the next Chairmen's Committee meeting. | LD |
| 6. Draft Criminal Procedures (Jersey) Law 201- The Panel noted that a States Members briefing had been organised for the lunch session on Thursday 30th November 2017. The Community and Constitutional Affairs Department had explained that the Attorney General was due to deliver the presentation on the draft law and a separate briefing had been offered to the Panel by the Department for Community and Constitutional Affairs during the States sitting. The Panel agreed that holding a briefing during the States sitting was not acceptable. It was agreed that the Panel would write to the Minister for Home Affairs, requesting the law drafting instructions, draft law and any guidance notes prior to the briefing on Thursday 30th November. | AH AH |
Item 7 09/10/17 | 7. Digital Skills The Panel noted a response from the Education Department in respect of the recommendations made in S.R.9/2014 Digital Skills'. Deputy J.M. Maçon explained that several questions had been highlighted and these would be taken forward with the Officer. | AH |
Item 9 06/11/17 511/2/3 | 8. Independent Jersey Care Inquiry The Panel received an update from Deputy S.Y. Mézec and Deputy T.A. Vallois as to the progress made by the Care of Children in Jersey Review Panel. The Panel noted that Deputy M.R. Higgins had expressed an interest in joining the Review Panel and this was due to be taken before the Chairmen's Committee for approval. It was also noted that the Review Panel was due to meet with the Care Commissioner. The Chairman recalled that the Panel had filmed a public hearing with the Minister for Education. It was suggested that this be considered by the Review Panel for any public hearings with the Chief Minister. Deputy S.Y. Mézec agreed that this would be discussed at the next Review Panel meeting. | SM/AH |
Item 10 06/11/17 | 9. Independent Review of Education The Panel noted the responses to the Learning for Tomorrow's World' consultation. The Panel agreed that it would request any documentation from the focus groups carried out as part of the consultation. It was agreed that the Panel would send a letter to the Minister for Education, requesting an update on any actions that had been undertaken as a result of the consultation. The Panel agreed that it would set a deadline of 29th November, subsequent to which it would question the Minister further at its quarterly hearing on 4th December. Depending on the information received, the Panel agreed that it would look to hold a public hearing with the Minister for Education on 8th January to discuss this matter further. The Officer advised that a meeting request would be sent immediately to hold the date. | AH AH |
Item 11 | 10. Immigration (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2017 |
|
06/11/17 | The Panel noted that a briefing on the Order was due to be arranged with the Community and Constitutional Affairs Department. It was also noted that the Order took effect on Friday 10th November 2017. | AH |
Item 12 06/11/17 | 11. Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Education The Panel received a draft question plan from the Officer for the quarterly hearing on Monday 4th December. The Panel discussed the question plan and agreed further questions. The Panel requested that the Education Business Plan, code of conduct for senior managers and further information on the iGCSE be circulated. It was also requested that background information on each of the questions be added to the question plan in advance of the hearing. | AH |
Item 13 06/11/17 | 12. Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Home Affairs The Panel noted that a new date of Tuesday 9th January had been put forward for the quarterly hearing with the Minister for Home Affairs. After discussion, the Panel agreed that it would move this hearing until mid- February in order to concentrate on its upcoming reviews. The Officer advised that the Department for Community and Constitutional Affairs would be informed of this decision. | AH |
| 13. Future Meetings The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting was due to take place on Monday 4th December 2017 in the Le Capelain Room, States Building. |
|