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States Greffe: Scrutiny
Senator John Le Fondré Chief Minister
By email
6April 2022
Dear Chief Minister
Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel Technology Accelerator Fund [P.75/2022]
The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel writes to confirm that it will be unable to conduct a full review of the recently lodged Technology Accelerator Fund proposition [P.75/2022] [the Fund] prior to the debate on 25th April 2022.
The Panel is aware that funding was assigned to the Fund by the Assembly on its approval of the Government Plan 2022-25. Whilst it is not against the implementation of such a Fund and its potential benefits the Panel did gain approval through its twenty first amendment to the Government Plan 2022-25 that the purpose and terms of the Fund would explicitly seek Assembly approval and that the proposition must comply with the specification of purpose, terms and circumstances in which the Fund maybe wound up as per Article 6 (2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019.
The Panel concludes that the purpose, terms and circumstances in which the Fund maybe wound up are proposed in P.75/2022 and it should be subject to a full scrutiny review. Unfortunately, the Panel was provided with no information on the purpose, terms or circumstances in which the Fund maybe wound up prior to the lodging of the proposition and this has therefore removed the Panel's ability to be involved in any consultation or develop its understanding prior to lodging to comply with the proposed debate date. The Panel would highlight that the Codes of Practice for Engagement between the Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee' and the Executive' contains provisions that limits activity in the last six months of a Council of Ministers terms of office, as follows:
"The Chief Minister, Ministers and the Council of Ministers will use best endeavours to try to ensure that all Propositions on major policies and legislation are lodged au Greffe' at least 6 months before the date of the next election so that sufficient time is factored in for Scrutiny purposes"
The Panel did accompany the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel to a private briefing led by government officers on 16th March 2022 following the proposition being lodged, but it did not address the concerns of the Panel. The Panel therefore respectfully requests that this proposition be withdrawn until the next assembly or until such a time that Scrutiny has had time to undertake its work.
The Panel understands the Economic and International Affairs (EIA) Scrutiny Panel has a remit assigned within the proposition and a copy of the letter will therefore be sent to the Chair of the Panel and to the Minister for Treasury and Resources who consented to the lodging of the proposition in accordance with Article 6 (4) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019.
As the time for the debate on this proposition is fast approaching, we would be grateful if you could respond to this letter no later than 7th April 2022.
Yours sincerely
Senator Kristina Moore
Chair, Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel
cc Minister for Treasury and Resources
Chair of Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel