How Scrutiny panels work
www.scrutiny.gov.je/scrutiny/Pages/default.aspxAbout
Each Scrutiny panel is made up of a chairman and up to 4 other States members. Sub-panels can be formed, if needed, to carry out specific reviews.
What do Scrutiny panels do?
Scrutiny panels look at the business plans and work of their related departments and respond to public concern and requests to choose topics for consideration and review.
A Scrutiny review can have several stages:
call for evidence
site visits
public hearings
deliberation and analysis of evidence
production and publication of report
Based on evidence gathered during a review, Scrutiny panel reports acknowledge good practice and, where necessary, recommend improvements to services or changes to policy.
What happens to a panel’s recommendations?
Ministers have to respond to all recommendations made by a Scrutiny panel. Their response is made public through the States Assembly. Scrutiny panel recommendations are followed up by panel members to find out whether recommendations have been put into practice.
Who can be a member of a panel?
Panels are made up of a chairman and up to 4 other States members - but not those who are ministers or assistant ministers. Each panel can carry out reviews as a panel, or they can form sub-panels to carry out specific reviews.
Sub-panels are set up as and when they are needed and are chaired by a member of the main panel.
Co-opted members can be invited to join a main panel to carry out a specific review, if it's felt that the member has expertise that will be useful to a particular review.
Expert witnesses and advisers
Expert witnesses and advisers can help panels with their work in studying policies by offering technical support. Advisers are normally appointed for the purpose of a specific review or issue over a specific period of time. The budget allocation for this purpose is overseen by the Chairmen’s Committee.
Panel meetings
Each Panel meets on a regular basis to discuss various administrative matters. Panel meetings are private and are therefore not open to the public. However, agendas and the records of the meetings are published on the website.Categories: Information Notice, Politics.
