FAQ
1. What is the postal address of the Scrutiny office?
2. What are the functions of Scrutiny?
4. What powers does Scrutiny have?
5. How do you choose what to scrutinise?
6. What can't Scrutiny look at and why?
8. What does it mean to be an expert witness?
9. Can I attend a Scrutiny Panel's Public Hearing?
10. Where are the Hearings held?
11. When do the Scrutiny Panels meet?
12. What is the difference between the Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee?
1. What is the postal address of the Scrutiny office? Back to top
Scrutiny Office
Morier House
Halkett Place
St. Helier
JE1 1DD
2. What are the functions of Scrutiny? Back to top
The role of Scrutiny is:
1. To carry out reviews on issues of public concern or service performance where Scrutiny could have significant influence
2. To hold the Executive (Ministers) to account for their policies and decision-making.
3. To scrutinise draft legislation.
4. To scrutinise the States Business Plan and Budget
5. To scrutinise proposed international conventions and agreements
3. Who is involved? Back to top
Non-Executive States Members, that is those who are not Ministers or Assistant Ministers
4. What powers does Scrutiny have? Back to top
Scrutiny Panels have the statutory power to call for people and any papers relevant to their enquiries.
Panels cannot make decisions - that is the role of the Executive. However, they can influence the Executive by making evidence-based recommendations following any review they undertake. Ministers must respond to these recommendations and give their reasons for accepting or rejecting recommendations.
5. How do you choose what to scrutinise? Back to top
Scrutiny considers areas where it can add value. For example, a policy review's recommendations should result in improved services.
When choosing issues, Scrutiny Panels consider areas of poor performance, areas of concern raised by people who live and work in Jersey and the information other States Members bring forward.
6. What can't Scrutiny look at and why? Back to top
Scrutiny Panels do not look at individual complaints. They also do not investigate regulatory decisions.
7. How can I be involved? Back to top
You can suggest a topic for a Scrutiny Review or give written evidence to the Panel on any of the reviews being undertaken. You may then be invited to discuss your submission with the Panel.
Send us your views about current policy reviews through the Feedback form.
You can keep updated about what is happening in Scrutiny by looking on these web pages. Details on all reviews will be listed, with dates of public hearings as they become available. Evidence connsidered by the Panels will also be regularly uploaded.
8. What does it mean to be an expert witness? Back to top
Scrutiny Panels may decide to ask people with particular expertise or experience to submit evidence as part of a given review. This may be either written evidence, or the Panel may decide to invite the witness to attend a Public Hearing.
Expert witnesses are provided with information about the review topic and those aspects of the topic upon which the Panel would like advice. All witnesses are sent information about giving evidence to a Panel.
There is no standard format for providing written evidence.
Having received written evidence the Panel may decide that it would like to question a witness further. Panels can also invite witnesses to Hearings who have not submitted written evidence in advance. Meetings will be arranged at least 14 days in advance and will be held at a mutually convenient time and venue.
Evidence provided by expert witnesses is kept and will be uploaded to the website. Anyone who has given evidence to a Scrutiny Review will be sent a copy of the resulting draft Scrutiny Report. All evidence, unless received under a confidential proviso, will be uploaded to the website and may be included as appendices to the final Report.
9. Can I attend a Scrutiny Panel's Public Hearing? Back to top
Yes, most Hearings are open to the public. Details of times and venues of Public Hearings are posted on this website and will be advertised through the local media.
10. Where are the Hearings held? Back to top
Public Hearings are most often held in either Le Capelain Room or Blampied Room in the States Building, Royal Square, St. Helier. Ask at the mian reception for directions.
It is not necessary to reserve a seat although seating may be limited. When entering the rooms the members of the public are asked to do so quietly as the proceedings are recorded. Mobile phones should be switched off.
11. When do the Scrutiny Panels meet? Back to top
There are scheduled meetings for each Scrutiny Panel during which they discuss progress on their work programme. The dates of these meetings are available on this website. The meetings are generally open to the public although sometimes a Panel may decide to go into private session for a particular issue.
12. What is the difference between the Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee? Back to top
The Scrutiny Panels are concerned with States policies and whether these policies are appropriate and effective. The Public Accounts Committee concerns itself with the implementation of policy and whether implementation has occurred with due regard to value for money. For this reason, witnesses attending upon the Public Accounts Committee will normally be States employees and advisers rather than politicians. The Public Accounts Committee also reviews the adequacy of financial controls thoughout the States.