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Approved Panel Minutes - Public Accounts Committee - 2022 (Pre-Election)

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Public Accounts Committee

Records of Meetings

Year: 2022

The following records of meetings have been approved by the Committee. Signed

Deputy Inna Gardiner

Chair

Public Accounts Committee

Public Accounts Committee

Record of Meeting

Meeting Held Remotely on Microsoft Teams

Date: 17th January 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre

Connétable Andy Jehan

 Senator Tracey Vallois

Dr Helen Miles

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Paul van Bodegom

In attendance

Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Kellie Boydens , Committee and Panel Officer

Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

Item 9 only:

Richard Bell, Treasurer of the States

Richard Summersgill, Comptroller of Revenue

Stephanie Ward , Head of Business Performance

Andrew Hacquoil, Group Director – Strategic Finance

Hazel  Cunningham,  Acting  Group  Director   Finance  Business Partnering & Analysis

Carol Nichols, Acting Head - Finance Business Partnering

Graham Chidlow, Director – Finance Hub

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1. Minutes

The PAC approved its minutes of the 9th December 2021.

 

2. Work Programme

The PAC received an updated work programme until the end of its term in May 2022. The PAC agreed to finalise its report on the Government of Jersey's Response to COVID-19 by the end of March 2022.

The PAC agreed to move its work on the Integrated Technology Solution and ICT into its Legacy Report, and to use the evidence gathered on the Automatic Voter Registration project in its review of Performance Management.

The PAC agreed a number of additional meetings until the beginning of May 2022.

 

3. Citizens' Panels, Assemblies and Juries

The PAC noted receipt of a letter from the Chief Executive dated 14th January 2022 in response to a number of questions it had submitted before Christmas. and

 

 

the PAC agreed to consider further the responses to the answers received, with Members to submit any further questions to Officers by close of business on Thursday 20th January 2022.

The PAC agreed to write to the Director General for Health and Community Services to request, in confidence, copies of the minutes of the Future Hospital Senior Officer Steering Group meetings and details of the recruitment of Francis Le Gresley to lead the Citizens' Panel's Selection Panel from the Director General for Health and Community Services.

 

4. Public Hearing with the Treasurer of the States

The PAC received and discussed the draft question plan for its Public Hearing with the  Treasurer  of  the  States.  The  PAC  noted  concerns  raised  regarding  the evaluation of the Target Operating Models and the management of efficiencies and agreed to add a number of additional questions.

 

5. Response to COVID-19

The PAC received an update from the Vice-Chair regarding the progress of its review of the Government of Jersey's Response to COVID-19 and considered additional  stakeholders  to  contact  for  Public  Hearings,  private  briefings,  and letters. The PAC agreed to receive a further update following the next meeting of its COVID-19 Review Subgroup on Wednesday 26th January 2022.

The PAC noted that the Review Sub-Group had received a private briefing from the Independent Member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, Dr. Graham Root, on Wednesday 12th January 2022. The PAC noted that the minutes of the meeting would be sent to the witness for review before publication. The Panel agreed to consider the discrepancies between the UK and Jersey's demographics, and the use of worst-case scenarios in developing responses to pandemics and other future crises.

 

6. Health Governance

The PAC recalled that Connétable Jehan had submitted a Written Question to the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding an external contract to undertake cataract surgery. The PAC agreed to draft questions to the Director General for Health and Community Services regarding the management and administration of the contract.

 

7. C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received a presentation from the C&AG regarding her Audit Plan 2022- 2025. The PAC noted updated timings for her planed reviews and noted the planned publication of reports prior to the 2022 General Election.

 

8. Executive Responses

The PAC received and noted the Executive Response to the C&AG's Reports on the Government Support to Businesses – Other Schemes, and the Government Support to Businesses – Co-Funded Payroll Scheme. The PAC agreed to present both Executive Responses to the States Assembly.

 

9. Public Hearing with the Treasurer of the States

The PAC welcomed the Treasurer of the States to a Public Hearing on Microsoft Teams regarding Performance Management and the Government of Jersey's Response to COVID-19. The hearing was webcast live and recorded in order that a transcript could be provided.

 

 

Following the Public Hearing, the PAC agreed to request its Communications Officer to draft a news release and social media content to summarise the key messages  heard  during  the  Hearing.  The  PAC  further  agreed  to  consider submitting a series of follow-up questions to the Treasurer of the States regarding the assessment of Target Operating Models in respect of his department.

 

10. Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meetings would take place as follows:

  • The  next  meeting  of  the  COVID-19  Review  Subgroup  would  be  held remotely on Microsoft Teams at 10am on Wednesday 26th January 2022 and would include a private briefing with the Director of Public Health;
  • The next meeting of the Performance Management Review Subgroup would be held remotely on Microsoft Teams at 15:30pm on Wednesday 2nd February 2022; and
  • The next formal meeting of the PAC would be at 12pm on Monday 31st January 2022 in the Blampied Room (or Teams) and would include a Public Hearing with the Chief Executive at 3pm in the States Chamber, subject to future updates to the COVID-19 Guidelines.

 

Public Accounts Committee

Record of Meeting

Date: 31st January 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre

Connétable Andy Jehan

 Senator Tracey Vallois (Items 1 – 8, 10 only)

Dr Helen Miles

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Paul van Bodegom

In attendance

Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Kellie Boydens , Principal Committee and Panel Officer Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

Item 9 only:

Paul Martin – Interim Chief Executive

Catherine Madden – Chief of Staff

John Quinn – Chief Operating Officer

Tom   Walker   Director  General,  Strategic  Policy,  Planning  and Performance

Tim Daniels – Director, Jersey Property Holdings

Andrew Hacquoil – Group Director, Strategic Finance

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Minutes

The PAC approved its minutes of the 17th January 2022.

 

2.  COVID-19 Review

The PAC received an update from the Vice-Chair regarding the progress of its review of the Government of Jersey's Response to COVID-19 and considered additional  stakeholders  to  contact  for  Public  Hearings,  private  briefings,  and letters. The PAC agreed to receive a further update following the next meeting of its COVID-19 Review Subgroup on Wednesday 2nd February 2022.

The PAC noted the requests for repayments from the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme submitted to individuals and businesses and agreed to draft questions to the Director General of Customer and Local Services and Jersey Business to request clarity and receive additional information on this item.

TS

3.  Declarations of Interests

Dr Helen Miles declared an interest in her husband being a co-finder of the Le Câtillon II Coin Hoard and agreed to remove herself from this section of the Quarterly Public Hearing with the Chief Executive.

 

 

The PAC agreed to request clarification from the Greffier of the States regarding potential conflicts of interests around lay members applying for roles within the Government of Jersey.

 

4.  C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the C&AG regarding her Audit Plan.

 

5.  Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works

The PAC received a confidential updated report from the Director General of Infrastructure, Housing and Environment regarding the Government of Jersey's operation of the Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works project.

The PAC agreed to submit questions to the Director General regarding the use of due diligence for new contractors, the management of risk, and what lessons had been learnt from the project. The PAC further agreed to request clarification on what evidence it received on the Project could be published, and to consider drafting a comments paper to summarise its findings and recommendations.

 

6.  Estate Management

The PAC noted receipt of the comments to the PAC's Comments Paper on the Executive Response to its report on Estate Management and agreed to consider it in full during its meeting on 7th February 2022.

 

7.  Performance Management

The PAC noted receipt of a letter from the Chief Executive regarding Target Operating Models and considered the information provided on the number of senior civil servants employed by the Government of Jersey and the changes in payment grades. The PAC agreed to question the Interim Chief Executive on these matters, particularly on value for money.

 

8.  Citizens' Panels, Assemblies and Juries

The  PAC  noted  receipt  of  a  draft  report  on  its  review  of  Citizens'  Panels, Assemblies and Juries in Jersey, and agreed to amend the report based on its considerations.  It  also  agreed to  consider  and  finalise its  findings  and recommendations later that week.

The PAC agreed to submit extracts of the report to stakeholders for factual accuracy checking, with a requested date of response of close of business on Friday 4th February 2022, and to seek clarification from the following:

- From the Director General of Health and Community Services regarding the accountable  officer  for  the  Our  Hospital  Citizens'  Panel  and  how  they discharged their functions;

- From the Director General of Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance regarding the timeline for the tendering and contractual agreements with the consortium for the Carbon Neutral Citizens' Assembly, and what engagement the Government of Jersey had had with the Sortition Foundation in 2019 and 2020 prior to the tendering of the contract to establish and facilitate the Citizens' Assembly.

 

 

9. Quarterly Public Hearing with the Interim Chief Executive

The PAC received and discussed the draft question plan for its Quarterly Public Hearing with the Interim Chief Executive.

The PAC welcomed the Interim Chief Executive to a Public Hearing regarding his time  within  the  Government  of  Jersey,  Performance  Management  and  the Government response to COVID-19. The hearing was webcast live and recorded in order that a transcript could be provided.

Following the Public Hearing, the PAC requested its Communications Officer to draft a news release to summarise the key messages heard during the Hearing and agreed to note his departure from the Government of Jersey and legacy in the role.

 

10. Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meetings would take place as follows:

  • The next meeting of the Performance Management Review Subgroup would be held in the Blampied Room at 14:00pm on Wednesday 2nd February 2022;
  • The  next  meeting  of  the  COVID-19  Review  Subgroup  would  be  held remotely on Microsoft Teams at 15:30pm on Wednesday 2nd February 2022 and would include a private briefing with the Director of Public Health;
  • The next formal meeting of the PAC would be at 12pm on Monday 7th February 2022 in the Blampied Room and would include a Public Hearing with the Director General of Health and Community Services at 2pm in the States Chamber.

 

Date: 7th February 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre Connétable Andy Jehan

 Senator Tracey Vallois

Dr Helen Miles

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Paul van Bodegom

Apologies

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Mr Adrian Lane

In attendance

Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Kellie Boydens , Committee and Panel Officer

Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Minutes

The PAC approved its minutes of the 31st January 2022.

 

2.  Work Programme

The PAC received an updated work programme until the end of its term in May 2022.

 

3.  Response to COVID-19

The PAC received an update from the Chair regarding the progress of the review and agreed to organise a private briefing with former States Member Paul Le Claire regarding  his  experiences  of  hospitalisation  with  COVID-19.  The  Committee agreed that this would take place at 9am on Wednesday 16th February 2022. The Committee further agreed to schedule a public hearing with the Director General of  Strategic  Policy,  Planning  and  Performance  at  2pm  on  Wednesday  23rd February 2022.

The PAC noted additional letters were being drafted to be sent to targeted stakeholders in the hair and beauty and the arts, heritage and culture sectors, and to the Group Director for Commercial Services and Director of Statistics and Analytics.

 

4.  Public  Hearing  with  the  Director  General  of  Health  and  Community Services

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the PAC agreed to reschedule the public hearing with the Director General of Health and Community Services to Monday 21st February 2022.

 

5.  C&AG Audit Plan

 

 

The PAC received an update from the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding her Audit Plan. The PAC noted the response from the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Director General of Health and Community Services' response to the PAC's request for further action and clarification on the Executive Response to the C&AG's Report on Health and Social Care Governance Report. The PAC agreed to include considerations of the response in its Legacy Report.

 

6.  Estate Management

The PAC agreed to schedule a short public hearing with the Treasurer of the States and the Director General of Infrastructure, Housing and Environment on Estate Management and cooperation with Arms' Length Bodies on 7th April 2022 at 1pm.

 

7.  Performance Management

The PAC agreed to request from the Treasurer of the States a list of Memorandums of Understanding issued since 2018 and to ask how these are followed-up on.

 

8.  Citizens' Panels

The PAC received and noted responses from the Director General of Health and Community  Services  and  Director  General  of  Strategic  Policy,  Planning  and Performance, and discussed and approved the draft report and its findings and recommendations.

 

9.  Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meetings would take place as follows:

- A private briefing with Paul Le Claire regarding experiences of COVID-19 hospitalisation at 9am on Wednesday 16th February 2022;

- The next meeting of the PAC to take place at 12pm on Monday 21st February 2022 and to tentatively include a public hearing with the Director General of Health and Community Services at 12pm; and

- A public hearing with the Director General of Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance  at  2pm  on  Wednesday  23rd  February  2022  regarding  the response to COVID-19.

 

Date: 21st February 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner , Chair Connétable John Le Maistre Connétable Andy Jehan

Dr Helen Miles

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Paul van Bodegom

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (Item 13 only): Deputy Steve Ahier , Vice-Chair

Apologies

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone , Vice-Chair Senator Tracey Vallois

In attendance

Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Kellie Boydens , Principal Committee and Panel Officer (Item 1-10 only) Anna Thorne , Committee and Panel Officer

Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn  Pamment,  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General, C&AG  (joined remotely via Microsoft Teams)

Stephen   Warr en,   Deputy  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General,   Deputy C&AG

 Connie Johnson , Clerk of Councils, St Helena Government (Visiting

 Clerk)

Item 12 only:

Peter Le Maistre, President, Jersey Farmers' Union

Jane Rueb, Executive Secretary, Jersey Farmers' Union

Charlie Gallichan, owner Woodside Farms and Council Member, Jersey Farmers' Union

Mike Renouard, Business Unit Director, Jersey Royal Company

Item 13 only:

Katie Griffiths, Committee and Panel Officer

  Peter Lamy , Research and Project Officer

Richard Bell, Treasurer of the States

Kevin Hemmings, Head of Financial Governance

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Minutes

The PAC approved the minutes of its meeting of 7th February 2022.

 

2.  Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secondment from St. Helena

 

 

The PAC welcomed Connie Johnson , the Clerk of Councils for the St. Helena Government, who would be shadowing the PAC between the 21st February and 4th March 2022 to promote shared learning practices.

 

3.  Work Programme

The PAC reviewed its updated work programme until the 2022 General Election.

 

4.  Declarations of Interest

The Constable of Grouville declared that members of the Jersey Farmers' Union leased fields from him, and he was directly related to the President of the Jersey Farmers' Union. He confirmed that he would not take an active role in the public hearing.

 

5.  C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the Deputy C&AG regarding the C&AG's Audit Plan and provided a presentation on the C&AG's review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The C&AG confirmed that she would consider evidence on a confidential basis from service users as part of her review but would need to ensure that there was an understanding that her office would not investigate individual cases.

The C&AG outlined that she would be publishing a report on the Long-Term Care Fund before the 2022 General Election, with reports on Site Security, COVID-19 Governance and Decision-Making, and the Governance of the States of Jersey Police also expected to be published prior to the election. The C&AG agreed to share her findings and recommendations with officers.

 

6.  Executive  Response  to  C&AG  Report  on  Tracking  Comptroller  and Auditor General Recommendations

The PAC noted the Executive Response to the C&AG's Report on Tracking Comptroller and Auditor General Recommendations from the Chief of Staff. The PAC  agreed  to  publish  the  Executive  Response  with  comments  outlining recommendations for follow-up work to the C&AG's recommendations.

The PAC agreed to further consider the Executive Response when developing the findings and recommendations for its Legacy Report.

 

7.  Performance Management

The PAC noted that its report would be submitted to relevant stakeholders for factual  accuracy  checking  and  would  be  placed  under  embargo  before  it  is published. Members of the PAC agreed to contribute their respective conclusions to the Chair's Foreword.

 

8.  COVID-19 Review

The PAC received an update from Dr Helen Miles regarding the COVID-19 Review Subgroup's private briefing with Paul Le Claire on Wednesday 16th February 2022 and noted its draft letter to the Director General of Health and Community Services.

The PAC agreed to schedule a private briefing between the Director General of Customer and Local Services and Jersey Business regarding the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme.

 

 

The PAC reviewed a draft question plan for its public hearing with the Director General of Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance, and agreed to move the public hearing to the Blampied Room to facilitate a hybrid meeting.

 

9.  Government of Jersey Memorandums of Understanding with ALOs/SOEs

The PAC received in confidence summary documents on the Memorandums of Understanding  between  the  Government  of  Jersey  and  Arm's-Length Organisations and States-Owned Entities and agreed to request confirmation regarding the publication of the summary documents received as an Appendix to its report on Performance Management.

 

10. Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works

The PAC received an update on the Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works project from  the  Director  General  of  Infrastructure,  Housing  and  Environment  and requested that officers contact the Director General to seek permission to publish his letter alongside the further comments of the Panel.

 

11. Contract to Reduce the Waiting List for Cataracts Surgery

The PAC received a letter in confidence from the Director General of Health and Community Services regarding the contract to reduce the waiting list for cataract surgery.

The PAC agreed to seek a a private briefing with the Director General of Health and Community Services.

The PAC also agreed that, as part of recommendations to the next PAC within its legacy report, it should highlight the need to consider Health Governance and procurement.

 

12. Public  Hearing  with  the  Jersey  Farmers'  Union  and  Jersey  Royal Company

The PAC welcomed representatives from the Jersey Farmers' Union and Jersey Royal Company to a public hearing regarding the Government of Jersey's response to COVID-19. The hearing was recorded, and a transcript published.

Following the public hearing, the PAC requested that its Communications Officer to publish social media summaries of the findings from the hearing.

 

13. Amendments to the Public Finances Manual

The PAC noted a letter to the Chair from the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding amendments to the Public Finances Manual.

The C&AG confirmed that she had been consulted on amendments to the Public Finances Manual in relation to the work of the Jersey Audit Office. The PAC agreed to request that future letters to the Chair from Government officers be copied to panel officers.

The Committee welcomed members of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel and officers, the Treasurer of the States and the Head of Financial Governance to a private briefing on the amendments to the Public Finances Manual. The minutes of this meeting are classified as exempt in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended).

 

 

14. Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meetings would take place as follows:

  • A public hearing with the Director General of Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance  regarding  the  Response  to  COVID-19  to  be  held  in  the Blampied Room at 2pm on Wednesday 23rd February 2022; and
  • A formal meeting of the PAC would take place at 2pm on Thursday 10th March and would include a public hearing with the Director General of Health and Community Services.

 

Date: 10th March 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Senator Tracey Vallois

Connétable Andy Jehan (Item 3 onwards)

Dr Helen Miles

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Paul van Bodegom

 Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (Item 2 only): Deputy Steve Ahier

 Senator Steve Pallett (via Microsoft Teams)

Apologies

Connétable John Le Maistre Mr Graeme Phipps

In attendance

Andrew Harris , Principal Committee and Panel Officer

Katie Griffiths, Committee and Panel Officer (Item 2 only, joined via Microsoft Teams)

 Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Peter Lamy , Research and Project Officer (Item 2 only) Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

Item 2 only:

Ian Burns, Director General for Customer & Local Services

Graeme Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Business

Phil Ashley, Head of Cost-Benefit Analysis and Support, Treasury & Exchequer (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Dave Auffret, Senior Manager for Pensions and Care, Customer & Local Services

Item 3 only:

Caroline Landon, Director General for Health and Community Services Dr Anuschka Muller, Director of Improvement and Innovation (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Patrick Armstrong, Medical Director

Rose Naylor, Chief Nurse

Jackie Tardivel, Head of Strategic Planning and Reporting, Health and Community Services (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Claire Thompson, Director of Clinical Services (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Cheryl Power, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Dr Ivan Muscat, Consultant Microbiologist

Dr Simon Chapman, Consultant in Emergency Medicine

 

Agenda matter

 Action

 

1.  Minutes

The PAC approved its minutes of the 21st and 23rd February 2022.

 

2.  Private  Briefing  with  the  Director  General  for  Customer  and  Local Services and Jersey Business

The PAC welcomed the Director General for Customer and Local Services and the Chief Executive of Jersey Business to a private briefing regarding the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This briefing was held in private in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended) under Qualified Exemption Article 35.

 

3.  Public Hearing with the Director General for Health and Community Services

The PAC welcomed the Director General for Health and Community Services to a Public Hearing on the Government of Jersey's Response to COVID-19. The hearing was webcast live and recorded in order that a transcript could be provided.

Following the Public Hearing, the PAC agreed to request its Communications Officer to draft social media content to summarise the key messages heard during the Hearing.  

 

4.  Response to COVID-19

The PAC noted receipt of its draft evidence grid for its review of the response to COVID-19. The PAC agreed to request Officers to begin drafting its final report, and further agreed to meet at the beginning of April to finalise the report.

The PAC agreed to request additional information from the Director General for Health and Community Services on PPE costs, patient satisfaction numbers in relation to COVID-19 and disposal of nightingale hospital equipment.

 

5.  C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the C&AG regarding her Audit Plan 2022-2025. The PAC noted the C&AG's publication of her report on Long Term Health Care on 28th February 2022.  

 

6.  Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meeting would be at 12pm on Monday 28th March 2022 in the Blampied Room and would include a quarterly public hearing with the Chief Executive at 2pm.

 

Date: 28th March 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable Andy Jehan  

Dr Helen Miles

Connétable John Le Maistre Mr Paul van Bodegom

 Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (Item 2 only): Deputy Steve Ahier

 Senator Steve Pallett (via Microsoft Teams)

Apologies

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Adrian Lane

In attendance

Anna Thorne

 Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

Item 2 only:

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Bell, Treasurer of the States

Tom   Walker ,  Director  General,  Strategic  Policy  Planning  and Performance

Ralph Buccholz, Head of Property Strategy, Infrastructure, Housing and  Environment

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Public Hearing with the Chief Executive Officer

The PAC welcomed the Chief Executive Officer to the quarterly Public Hearing. There were technical difficulties with the recording and it was reconvened via Microsoft Teams.

Following the Public Hearing, the PAC agreed to request its Communications Officer to draft social media content to summarise the key messages heard during the Hearing.

 

2.  Minutes

The PAC approved its minutes of the meeting of 10th March 2022.

 

3.  Comptroller and Auditor General – Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the C&AG regarding her Audit Plan 2022-2025.

 

4.  Comptroller and Auditor General – States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts

 

 

The C&AG provided a verbal update on the States Annual Report and Accounts.

 

5.  Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works

The PAC noted a draft letter to the Director General of Infrastructure, Housing and Environment responding to his updates on the project and requested that officers seek additional information prior to publication.

 

6.  Response to COVID-19

The PAC discussed the timeline for the report's publication and have asked officers to schedule the required meetings to review and approve the report.

 

7.  C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the C&AG regarding her Audit Plan 2022-2025. The PAC noted the C&AG's publication of her report on Long Term Health Care on 28th February 2022.  

 

8.  Resignation

Lay member Dr Helen Miles announced her intention to resign from the PAC and informed members that she would present her formal resignation shortly in line with Standing Orders.

 

9.  Next Meetings

The PAC noted that its next meeting would be at 11am on Thursday 7th April 2022 in the Blampied Room and would include a private briefing on the States Annual Report and Accounts 2021 from independent auditors Mazars and a public hearing with the Treasurer of the States and the Director General of Infrastructure, Housing and Environment at 1 pm.

 

Meeting held on Microsoft Teams

Date: 6th April 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre

Connétable Andy Jehan

 Senator Tracey Vallois

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Paul van Bodegom

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel: Deputy Steve Ahier

Apologies

Mr Graeme Phipps

In attendance

Anna Thorne , Committee & Panel Officer Caro Tomlinson, Committee & Panel Officer Katie Griffiths Committee & Panel Officer Peter Lamy , Research & Project Officer Theodore Stone, Research & Project Officer

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General

Deputy Susie Pinel, Minister for Treasury and Resources

Deputy Lindsay Ash, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources Richard Bell, Treasurer of the States

Abbie Moore , Assistant Private Secretary

Alison Weardon, Internal Communications Officer

Andrew Hacquoil, Group Director – Strategic Finance

Peter Styles, Head of Group Reporting

Steve Skelton, Director of Strategy & Innovation

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Private Briefing with the Minister for Treasury and Resources and the Treasurer of the States on the 2021 Annual Report and Accounts

The  PAC  and  Corporate  Services  Scrutiny  Panel  welcomed  the  Minister  for Treasury and Resources, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources, the Treasurer of the States, and officers from the Government of Jersey to a private briefing on the 2021 States Annual Report and Accounts. The minutes of this meeting are classified as exempt in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended) under Qualified Exemption Article 35.

 

Date: 7th April 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair)

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre

Connétable Andy Jehan (Item 1 only)

 Senator Tracey Vallois

Mr Adrian Lane

Mr Paul van Bodegom

Apologies

Mr Graeme Phipps

In attendance

Anna Thorne , Committee and Panel Officer (Items 2 – 5 only)

Caro Tomlinson, Committee and Panel Officer (joined via Microsoft Teams)

Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

Ella Nicholls, Communications Officer (Item 9 onwards)

Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG (Items 1 - 9 only, joined via Microsoft Teams)

Stephen Warr en, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, Deputy C&AG (Item 9 onwards, joined via Microsoft Teams)

Item 1 only (joined via Microsoft Teams): Gavin Barker, Director, Mazars

Mark Kirkham, Partner, Mazars

James Collins, Assistant Manager, Mazars

Item 9 only:

Richard Bell, Treasurer of the States

Andrew  Scate,  Director  General  for  Infrastructure,  Housing  and Environment

Peter Styles, Head of Group Reporting, Treasury and Exchequer

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Private  Briefing  with Mazars  on  the  2021  States  Annual  Report  and Accounts

The PAC welcomed representatives from Mazars, the auditing firm assigned as the States of Jersey's independent external auditors, to a private briefing on the 2021 States Annual Report and Accounts.

This briefing was held in private in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended) under Qualified Exemption Article 35.

 

2.  Minutes

The PAC approved the draft minutes of its meeting of the 28th March 2022.

 

3.  PAC Membership

 

 

The PAC noted that Dr. Helen Miles had resigned from the PAC on 29th March 2022.

 

4.  C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received an update from the C&AG on her audit plan for 2022 and noted that she would work with officers to develop the PAC's Legacy Report and make comments on the recommended work programme for the next PAC that would be formed following the 2022 General Election.

 

5.  PAC Legacy Report

The PAC received and reviewed the Heads of Report for its Legacy Report and noted comments provided by the C&AG. The PAC noted that the C&AG was conducting reviews on the following areas, and agreed to recommend work on these areas to the next PAC following the publication of these reports:

- Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services

- Risk Management

- Capital & Major Projects

- Jersey's Economic, Social & Health Recovery from COVID-19

The C&AG suggested that any follow up to the latter of the reports detailed above could include a review of the governance framework established by Government to reflect the post-pandemic rise in interest rates and inflation.

The PAC further agreed to recommend consideration of the performance and management of Arm's-Length Organisations and the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, subject to the latter's approval by the States Assembly before the 2022 General Election.

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6.  Contracts for Cataract Surgery

The PAC noted that officers were continuing to arrange a date for the private briefing with the Department for Health and Community Services on contracts awarded for cataract surgery.

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7.  Executive Response to PAC Report on Citizens' Panels, Assemblies and Juries

The PAC received and reviewed the Executive Response to the PAC's report on the Government of Jersey's Use and Operation of Citizens' Panels, Assemblies and Juries in Jersey (P.A.C.1/2022) from the Chief Executive and Director General for Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance. The PAC agreed to draft and publish a comments paper outlining its response to the Executive Response.

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8.  Compromise and Non-Disclosure Agreements (P.76/2022)

The PAC received and approved a draft comments paper in response to the proposition on Compromise and Non-Disclosure Agreements as lodged by Deputy Higgins (P.76/2022).

 

9.  Public Hearing with the Treasurer of the States and the Director General for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment

The PAC welcomed the Treasurer of the States and the Director General for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment to a public hearing on the implementation of recommendations made within its report on Estate Management; Arm's Length Organisations,  and  the  2021  Annual  Report  and  Accounts.  The  hearing  was recorded, and a transcript published.

 

 

Following the public hearing, the PAC agreed to publish its key findings on social media as drafted by its Communications Officer and to draft a letter to the Treasurer of the States with follow-up questions.

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10. Response to COVID-19

The  PAC  received  a  final  draft  of  its  report  on  the  Government  of  Jersey's Response to COVID-19, as reviewed for factual accuracy by government officers and  approved  it  for  publication  alongside  a  press  release  drafted  by  its Communications Officer.

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11. Letter Regarding Bellozanne

The PAC agreed to submit and publish its draft letter to the Director General for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment towards the end of the week of 11th April 2022.

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12. Next Meeting

The PAC noted that its next meeting would be at 12pm on Tuesday 3rd May 2022 in the Blampied Room.

 

Date: 28th April 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair) Senator Tracey Vallois

 Mr Adrian Lane (joined via Microsoft Teams)  

Mr Graeme Phipps

Mr Paul van Bodegom

Apologies

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable John Le Maistre

Connétable Andy Jehan

In attendance

  Anna Thorne , Committee and Panel Officer

 Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

 Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG (joined via Microsoft Teams)

 Caroline Landon, Director General for Health and Community Services Patrick Armstrong, Medical Director, Health and Community Services

 Claire Thompson, Deputy Chief Nurse, Health and Community Services Jemma Hammond, Planning and Healthcare, Health and Community

 Services

 Sylvia Roberts, Director of the Civil Division, Law Officers' Department  Darren Woodside, Senior Legal Advisor, Law Officers' Department

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1.  Private Briefing with the Director General for Health and Community Services regarding Cataracts Surgery

The PAC welcomed the Director General for Health and Community Services and officers from the Department for Health and Community Services and Law Officers' Department on the use of an external supplier for Cataracts Surgery in Jersey.

This briefing was held in private in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended) under Qualified Exemption Article 35.

 

Date: 3rd May 2022

 

Present

Deputy Inna Gardiner (Chair) Senator Tracey Vallois

Connétable John Le Maistre

 Mr Adrian Lane  

Mr Graeme Phipps Mr Paul van Bodegom

Apologies

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone (Vice-Chair) Connétable Andy Jehan

In attendance

  Kellie Boydens , Principal Committee and Panel Officer

 Theo Stone, Research and Project Officer

 Rosalyn Sharp, Research and Project Officer

 Ella Nichols, Communications Officer

 Lynn Pamment, Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG

 

Agenda matter

 Action

1. Minutes

The PAC approved the public and private minutes of its meetings of the 6th, 7th, and 28th April 2022.

 

3. Work Programme

The PAC noted its updated work programme for the remainder of its term.

 

4. C&AG Audit Plan

The PAC received a presentation from the C&AG in relation to her updated Audit Plan for 2022, her Annual Report for 2021, and her Follow-Up Report on the Governance of the States of Jersey Police.

The PAC considered the lack of annual reporting from the States of Jersey Police since 2018 and noted that the C&AG's Report and its Executive Response would be recommended for consideration by the succeeding PAC.

 

5. Legacy Report

The  PAC  reviewed  and  approved  its  draft  Legacy  Report  for  publication  on Thursday 5th May 2022 and requested its Communications Officer to prepare a press notice.

The PAC noted that Lay Members should receive induction training to familiarise them with its work programme, prior reports of interest and support areas such as IT and access to relevant information. The PAC further agreed that its successor should meet with each Director General to discuss the Government of Jersey's Recommendations Tracker.

 

6. Performance Management

 

 

The PAC noted receipt of the Executive Response to its report and agreed to incorporate its observations and comments on the Response into its Legacy Report.

 

7. 2021 States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts

The PAC approved its draft comments paper on the 2021 States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts and agreed to include an additional recommendation on the reporting  of  the  correlation  between  the  spending  of  public  funds  and  their respective outcomes.

 

8. Citizens' Panels

The PAC approved its draft comments paper on the Executive Response to its report on the Use and Operation of Citizens' Panels, Assemblies and Juries in Jersey.

The PAC requested its Communications Officer to draft a press notice regarding its publication. The PAC further agreed to recommend that its successor consider whether the responses to future recommendations were succinct and clearly outlined if they were accepted by the Government of Jersey and how they would be responded to.

 

9. 2022 General Election

The PAC noted that it would be disbanded on 11th May 2022 in the lead-up to the Island's General Election on 22nd June 2022. Following this, a new PAC Chair would be elected by the States Assembly and tasked with forming the next PAC.