Scrutiny Weekly Activity Bulletin - 10 July 2020

Scrutiny Liaison Committee Weekly Bulletin of Panel/Committee Activity Week ending Friday 10th July 2020

Scrutiny Liaison Committee  

The Committee met the Chief Minister for the regular liaison meeting on Monday 6th July. The primary focus of the meeting was the topical matter of border testing, following concerns that had emerged over the testing of passengers arriving on the Condor Clipper. It was also noted that the Chief Minister and President of SLC had signed the MoU regarding the timely and open sharing of information in respect of the Government Plan, in advance of the debate on P.72/2020, "Variation to Lodging Period for the Government Plan lodged in 2020". The MoU would be presented to the States later in the week.

As part of its daily meetings (except Thursday 9th July due to a clash with the all member briefing on border testing) SLC also received regular updates on the progress of the Safer Travel Guidelines Review Panel, chaired by Deputy Ward , which had received significant media and community engagement. Membership was noted as compromising:

• Deputy Robert Ward

• Deputy Inna Gardiner

• Deputy Kevin Pamplin

• Deputy Mike Higgins

• Deputy Trevor Pointon

• Connétable Sadie Le Sueur -Rennard

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel The Panel has mainly focused on propositions and its Covid-19 review

• The Panel held a briefing with the Chief Minister to discuss the Office Strategy (in private) on Friday 3rd July

• The Panel held a meeting with the Fiscal Policy Panel (in private) on Wednesday 8th July

• Updated  tracking  details  on  use  of  public  finances  to  fund  COVID-19  actions  were received from Treasury (8th July)

• The Panel received papers from the Council of Ministers meetings held 29th June and 2nd July

• The  Panel  continues  to  review  its  section  of  the  Government  Plan:  2020-2023 S.R.13/2019, highlighting impact and potential prioritisation following Covid-19

• The Panel continues its Covid-19 Response and Recovery Review. A targeted call for evidence is being progressed, the updated project plan was agreed and the advisor engagement brief has been drafted

• The Panel is drafting comment papers on P.73/2020, P.74/2020 and P.70/2020 for the States Assembly on the 14th July 2020

• The Panel received R.63/2020 Consultants: Reporting on their use by Government of Jersey. Comparison document prepared against R.149/2019 & P.59/2019

• The Panel received P.85/2020 Draft Covid-19 (Rates) (Jersey) Regulations 202-The Panel concluded that this would be discussed in States Assembly and had no further questions

Future meetings/briefings

• The Panel is holding weekly meetings to discuss COVID-19 and general business

• The Panel has weekly briefings with the Minister for Treasury and Resources (in private). These are scheduled for Wednesday afternoons. The briefing this week was cancelled following an extended meeting of the Council of Ministers

• The Panel noted letter received from Treasury and Resources Minister in relation to Revenue Administration matters. A private briefing for the panel on the content is being organised

• The Panel has a meeting with the SEB to discuss States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005 (in private) at 2pm on Friday 10th July

• The Panel has a scheduled briefing with the Chief Operating Officer to discuss the Technology Transformation Programme (in private) on Tuesday 21st July at 11.30am

Economic and International Affairs Panel

The Panel is mainly focussing on the work of the Minister for Economic Development and the support offered to the business community. The Panel is also focussed on the economic impacts of the outbreak.

• The Panel has been discussing the Government Plan in light of the Covid-19 Crisis. With the Government Plan due to be lodged in October, the Panel has decided to evaluate its proposals and consider the Government Plan's workstreams in view of the changing circumstances. This work is likely to take place over the next month or two. At its next scheduled meeting on Friday 10th July, the Panel will consider an Excel spreadsheet which details the RAG ratings that were attributed to the projects at the time of the previous Government Plan Review in view of the funding requirements, and the current circumstances and priorities regarding each project as part of the Government Plan Review going forward.

• The Panel has announced a joint review with the Corporates Services Scrutiny Panel on the Covid-19 recovery work. The Panel will work closely with the Corporate Services Panel on the review, particularly as remits crossover. As part of this work, the Panel has decided to present interim reports in relation to the economic stabilisation aspect as well as the economic recovery aspect of the Government response to the crisis. The Panel anticipates completing the first of its interim reports over the summer months of July and August.

• The Panel has sent out a call for evidence' from businesses on their views of how the level two guidelines which form part of the Safe Exit Framework is being managed. The Panel has received submissions from several businesses relaying their views and experiences. The Panel will use the evidence it has gathered from stakeholders in its review of the Covid-19 crisis.  

• On Tuesday 23 June, the Panel joined the Corporates Services Scrutiny Panel for a briefing on Project Gulf. The Panel was briefed on the proposed business case in relation to the Government considering providing financial support to the airline Blue Islands as part of the economic recovery process. The Panel has received a confidential copy of the signed Ministerial Decision.

• The Panel has weekly catch-up meetings with the Minister for Economic Development (normally on a Thursday morning). The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 9th July.

Children Education and Home Affairs Panel

Briefings/Meetings arranged/work undertaken

• The Panel is considering undertaking a review regarding the Covid-19 crisis and response in relation to the impact of wellbeing on children'. Once discussions have been finalised regarding the potential review, the Panel will produce a Scoping Document and Terms of Reference. The Panel is having to review its work programme to accommodate this potential review within the required time frame. The Panel will decide how it intends to progress with regards to this review at its next scheduled meeting on Monday 27 July.

• In relation to Covid-19, the Panel is considering the Government Plan in light of the crisis. The Panel has decided to evaluate and consider the current Government Plan's projects in view of the changing circumstances.

• The Panel is keeping a watching brief on the Draft Covid-19 (Fixed Penalty Notices) (Jersey) Regulations 202- which is being considered in light of the Covid-19 response. At present there is no further information as to whether this will be going ahead. The Panel has communicated Terms of Reference for a potential review to the Minister for Home Affairs and is planning to consult with additional stakeholders (including the Children's Commissioner) if the legislation is formally lodged. (The Panel has not received further updates in this regard, however, it is due to question the Minister about the intention of the proposals at a quarterly hearing on Friday 10th July.)

• The Panel continues to have a weekly meetings, on a Monday, with the Minister for Education to remain informed around the Covid-19 response within her remit.

Business as usual work

The Panel is commencing its business as usual work programme as Covid-19 related work begins to ease.

Briefings/Meetings arranged/work undertaken

• Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Home Affairs

The Panel is due to hold a quarterly hearing with the Minister for Home Affairs on Friday 10th July. Questions relating to the response to the Covid-19 crisis are likely to be asked of the Minister.

• Teacher Recruitment and Retention Review

The Panel is finalising its work on the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Review with the intention to present its report imminently once factual accuracy checking of the report has been completed by Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) and stakeholders. The Panel is in the process of finalising the Findings and Recommendations for the review.

• Government Plan

The Panel will be discussing the Projects comprised in the Government plan in relation to the RAG ratings it attributed to them during the previous Government Plan Review process, as well as any actions to follow. It is also due to consider the manner in which it will approach its scrutiny of the upcoming iteration of the Government Plan. The Panel will next discuss this at its meeting scheduled for Monday 27 July.

• Taser Proposition

The Panel is undertaking a review of the Deployment of Tasers by the States of Jersey Police Force Officers. A Scoping Document and Terms of References have been compiled for the Taser Proposition review. It is anticipated that the Proposition will be lodged by the Minister for Home Affairs within the next couple of weeks for debate after the summer recess.

• Police Complaints Law

The Panel is due to receive a briefing on the Police Complaints law on Monday 27 July.

Comments/Amendment/Publications

The Panel has presented Comments on the following pieces of legislation since 20th March 2020:

• P.22/2020 – Draft Unlawful Public Entertainments (Amendment) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

• P.23/2020 – Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment of Law (Covid-19 - Temporary Amendment) Regulations 202-

• P.24/2020 – Draft Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law 2018 (Appointed Day) (No.3) Act 202-

• P.30/2020 – Draft Covid-19 (Schools and Day Care of Children) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

• P.36/2020 – Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment of Law No.2) (Covid-19 - Temporary Amendment) Regulations 202-

• The Panel has worked with the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel in order to develop the amendment to P.41/2020 Draft Covid-19 (Emergency Provisions – Courts) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

• The Panel has contributed its views to the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel's comments on P.48/2020 Draft Covid-19 (Restricted Trading) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

• P.60/2020 – Draft Covid-19 (Civil Partnerships and Marriage) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

• P.77/2020 - Draft Covid-19 (Civil Partnership and Marriage No. 2) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel The Panel has undertaken work and received briefings on the following matters:

• The Panel received the Minister for the Environment for a private briefing on 2nd July on the Bridging Island Plan.

• The Panel met privately on 7th July to discuss the items on its Agenda, including:

• Government Plan Memorandum of Understanding;
• P.106/2019 (Draft Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations 201-);
• Island Plan Review.

• The Panel held a Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Infrastructure on 7th July 2020.

Future briefings/legislative changes to consider

• It has agreed to undertake a Review of the plans for a Bridging Island Plan

• The Panel has written to the Ministers for Children and Housing, Infrastructure and Environment to request information on how they might reprioritise resources to deliver projects (responses were requested for 1st June but all Ministers have asked for extra time)

• The Panel has commenced work in preparation for the Government Plan (written questions to Ministers)

• The Panel is considering whether to comment on the upcoming P.106/2019 - Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations 201-.

Health and Social Security Panel

The Panel has undertaken work and received briefings on the following matters:

• The Panel met on 6th July for an update on its work programme and actions resulting from previous meetings.

• The Panel has drafted Comments on Draft Covid-19 (Control of Testing) Regulations and is due to lodge them on 10th July 2020.

Future briefings/legislative changes to consider:

• The Panel is due to meet privately on the 9th July to discuss its agenda, including matters such as the COVID-19 Review work, the Jersey Care Model Review and the Government Plan/Recovery Plan.

• The Panel is due to receive the Minister for Health and Social Services for a Quarterly Hearing on 9th July 2020.

• The Panel is due to receive a fortnightly briefing on 16th July on the Public Health Strategy from the Minister for Health and Social Services.

Public Accounts Committee Activity Update

• The next PAC meeting has been delayed to 20th July 2020, due to the States sitting on 13th July and in-committee debate of 14th July. The PAC will meet in person in Blampied Room, States Buildings although the C&AG will attend from UK via videolink.

• Quarterly hearing with the Chief Executive and Treasurer of the States on July 27th will focus on questions on the C&AG's reviews on:

• Handling Complaints (C&AG Report published 8 July, Executive Response due 19th August)

• SoJDC (C&AG report published, Executive Response due 19 July 2020)

• Use of Enforcement Powers (Executive Response presented to States)

• Insurance (Executive Response presented to States)

• Covid-19 response (ongoing C&AG review)

• Estate Management Review (ongoing PAC review)

• Estate Management - the PAC has extended the length of the review to allow for the Covid- 19 response:

• Draft call for evidence being considered and stakeholders will shortly be invited to submit evidence on their experience with the Property Division and use of buildings in the Estate.

• The PAC will shortly present a Report on the Annual Report and Accounts 2019, findings and recommendations currently under consideration.

• The PAC will consider whether to undertake a review into Governance, with particular regard to the former C&AG's Thinkpiece report, at its next meeting.

• Executive Responses to the C&AG's recent reports on Insurance' and Use of Enforcement Powers' have been presented to the States, and the PAC will consider comments to follow.

• The Chair and officer continue to have weekly updates with the C&AG via videoconference (Monday mornings)