Scrutiny Weekly Activity Bulletin - 29 May 2020

Scrutiny Liaison Committee

Weekly Bulletin of Panel/Committee Activity

Week ending Friday 29th May 2020 Scrutiny Liaison Committee

The Committee was unable to meet daily due to the bank holiday, States meeting and the volume of other Panel commitments, but it continued when possible to exchange views and experiences on current and forward work planning, States business and general information/issues/questions to be addressed by the relevant Panel/Committee. The possibility of arranging increased opportunity for cross-Panel (and where possible all-Scrutiny Member) discussions/briefings on any future emergency legislation covering multiple remits is being actively explored.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel - Activity Update  

 The Panel has mainly focused on ongoing Covid-19 actions, the Government plan 2021-2024, and updated timelines of Government programmes

• Updated tracking details on use of reserves to fund COVID-19 actions were received from Treasury (27th May)

• The Panel received response from the Minister for Treasury and Resources to its letter dated 12th May regards updated timelines of programmes

• The Panel received response from the Chief Minister to its letter dated 12th May regards updated timelines of programmes. A number of private briefings will be scheduled to answer questions posed

• The Panel received answers to additional questions from the Quarterly Hearing with the Chief Minister held 3rd April 2020

• 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  has  finalised  a  scoping  document for  a  joint  review  with  Economic  and International Affairs Panel into COVID-19 Response and Recovery

• The Panel received papers from meetings of the Competent Authorities held March 20th, 25th, and 27th; April 1st, 6th 8th and 17th; and May 21st

• The Panel received papers from the Council of Minsters (21st May)

• The Panel received the IFG Income Forecast Report (22nd May)

Future meetings

• The Panel has weekly meetings to discuss COVID-19 and general business, scheduled on Wednesday mornings. This was held earlier due to a Wednesday sitting of the States Assembly

• The Panel has weekly meetings with the Minister for Treasury and Resources, scheduled on Wednesday afternoons. Following the sitting of the States Assembly this has been delayed to Friday

• The Panel has a scheduled meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss the Office Strategy

• The Panel has a Quarterly Hearing with the Chief Minister scheduled for 10:30am 9th June, a question plan is being formed

• The Panel had scheduled a meeting with representatives from Jersey Water for Wednesday 20th May, this was postponed following the States Assembly continued sitting is being rescheduled

Economic and International Affairs Panel - Activity Update

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 is due to hold a Quarterly Hearing with the EDD Minister on Friday 5 June to primarily discuss the department's business as usual' areas, but questions on Covid-19 are also, likely to be asked.

• The Panel has been discussing ways in which it can support businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19. The Panel has drafted a survey to gather information from the business community in relation to business owners' and self- employed people's views on the payroll scheme and its application process. The Panel notes that two other surveys have been recently undertaken by organisations on the same subject. In that regard, the Panel has decided to delay issuing its survey but will revisit it in due course when it may decide to include additional questions on other areas related to Covid-19.

• 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. The Panel is conscious of the fact that the Government Plan is likely to be reconsidered in part and areas addressed where expenditure can be reduced, and savings can be made.

By reviewing the Government Plan, the Panel will find clarity on what was previously proposed, what projects could change, and areas of importance that should not change, in its view, will be highlighted. In doing so, the Panel will be prepared and will have considered its views in advance of when the Government Plan is addressed later in the year.

o  As  part  of  this  process,  the  Panel  may  hold  meetings  with  the  relevant Ministers to determine if and where cuts are being considered, additionally to express any concerns in advance of changes being made.

• The Panel met with members of the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday 26 May for a weekly catch up meeting.  

• 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 28 May.

• The Panel is likely to hold further meetings/Hearings in due course. Witnesses identified include the Chamber of Commerce, Jersey Business and Jersey Hospitality Association. Dates to be confirmed.

Education and Home Affairs Panel

Briefings/Meetings arranged/work undertaken

• The Panel is due to begin consultation with the States of Jersey Police and Chefs de Police in relation to the proposed Draft Covid-19 (Fixed Penalty Notices) (Jersey) Regulations 202-. The Panel has communicated its Terms of Reference 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. At present there is no certainty as to when the legislation will be lodged as it has yet to be approved by CoM.

• The Panel has continued its weekly catch up meetings with the Ministers in its remit (Education, Home Affairs and the Children's aspect of the Minister for Children and Housing). The Panel has updated its log of issues either raised by members of the public or stakeholders which it is using as the basis for discussion at these weekly meetings.

• The Panel has received briefings on the following matters during the past week:

i. Development of a new Multi-Agency Safeguarding Support Team

ii. Results of the joint survey between CYPES and the Children's Commissioner

iii. Plans for a safe phased return for schools

iv. Changes to Marriage and Civil Partnership Ceremonies to ensure safety during the Covid-19 outbreak. This is due to be lodged for debate on 16th June.

• The Panel has held the current hearings with Ministers as of 28th May 2020:

a) Minister for Education – Friday 15th May

b) Minister for Children and Housing – Friday 22nd May

c) Minister for Home Affairs – Tuesday 26th May

• The Panel has written to all teaching and emergency services unions in order to gather their views on the response to Covid-19. Thus far, it has received responses from the NEU, NASUWT and Fire and Rescue Service Association which it is following up with the respective Ministers where appropriate.

Future briefings/legislative changes to consider

The Panel is due to examine the following legislative changes:

• Legislation is being considered around preventing unlawful gatherings' during Covid-19.

• Legislation is being considered around tackling riots as a result of Covid-19 matters. Again, this is currently in its infancy and would require significant changes to existing legislation.

The Panel will likely arrange briefings for all of these pieces of legislation and consult (where possible) with relevant stakeholders.

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- Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel

Briefings/Meetings arranged

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

• The Panel has not received any briefings since the 20th May update.

Future briefings/legislative changes to consider

• 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 (response expected 1st June 2020).

• The EHI Panel was due to receive the Minister for Children and Housing for a private briefing on the Covid-19 (Residential Tenancy) (Temporary Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 2020 (P.42/2020) and Tenancy Agreements, however it has not been possible due to pressures on the Minister's time.

• The Panel will receive the Minister for Children and Housing for a Quarterly Public Hearing on 4th June 2020. The topics to discuss include:

• Potential delay to the Island Plan and how that might affect the housing need;

• The identification of affordable housing sites;

• Covid-19 - Impact on key workers' accommodation;

• Covid-19 – impact on homelessness;

• Balancing the needs of tenants with the rights of landlords (with reference to emergency housing/tenancy guidance).

Health and Social Security Panel – COVID-19 Response Update The Panel has undertaken work and received briefings on the following matters:

• The Panel received a briefing on the Draft Cremation (Suspension and Modification of Regulations – COVID-19) (No. 2) (Jersey) Regulations 202- (P.65/2020') and the Draft COVID- 19 (Safe Distancing) (Jersey) Regulations 202- (P.66/2020') from the Minister for Health and Social Services and Government Officials on the 21st May 2020.

• The Panel presented its Comments to the States Assembly on Regulations P.65/2020 and P.66/2020 on 26th May 2020.

Future briefings/legislative changes to consider:

• The Panel is due to meet for a scheduled meeting on the 28th May 2020.

• The Panel has fortnightly briefings with the Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance Department on the Public Health Strategy and weekly update meetings with the Minister for Health and Social Services on his response to Covid-19.

Public Accounts Committee Activity Update – COVID-19

The Committee is concentrating its efforts on only asking of the Chief Executive and Treasurer questions relating to the implementation of States decisions in respect of the Covid-19 outbreak and the Government's response to it.

• The PAC is expecting a response by close of play 28 May 2020, from the Chief Executive on a number of points relating to the cost of faster closing of accounts and the impact of Covid-19 on previous estimates of recovery of revenue and valuations of assets.  

• The Quarterly hearing scheduled for June 15th will be pushed back to July.  

• The Chair and officer have weekly updates with the C&AG (Monday mornings) - the C&AG has 2 further reports which will be published shortly, Handling Complaints and SoJDC.

• GHE – the PAC is holding a private briefing with Director General of GHE on 1st June 2020, prior to a public hearing to be held on 29th June. The Estate Management Review terms of reference and scope will be altered to take into account the effects of Covid-19 on the GHE work programme, and elements of the C&AG's Use of Enforcement Report (in particular where it relates directly to GHE department and the property division).

• A draft Code of Conduct for lay members will be considered by the PAC at its meeting of 1st June 2020.