The Committee is charged with holding the Policy Council, States Departments and Committees to account for the effectiveness and appropriateness of policy initiatives. This commitment is reinforced in Priority 12 of the Government Business Plan, which gives Scrutiny a lead role in strengthening accountability.

Subjects under the scrutiny spotlight in 2007 have included the Government Business Plan, the implementation of Zero-10, corporate coordination of fees and charges, population and social policy issues including housing and poverty.

Scrutiny Chairman Deputy Jean Pritchard observed that whilst the topics looked at in 2007 were diverse, a common theme was a lack of clarity in the presentation of policies.

The performance report recorded a number of instances where policy objectives and priorities were found by the Committee to be obscure, difficult to understand and/or lacking in realistic targets, performance measures, appropriate supporting data and genuine corporate working.

Deputy Pritchard explained that:

“Scrutiny’s approach is to highlight the positives as well as the negatives and offer constructive comments to help identify how policy development can be improved."

“We have already had a positive effect in prompting action and the groundwork is now in place to get commitments for improvement in the future. I think the Policy Council and Departments are realising that we are particularly tenacious about monitoring progress and pressing for improvement where it is needed.”

Deputy Pritchard emphasised that States Members, the Policy Council, Departments and Committees had been extremely cooperative and supportive of Scrutiny.

As well as outlining the Committee’s major work streams and achievements for 2007, the performance report set out its plans for the remainder of its term, with a recommendation that its successor continues to build on the established foundations now in place.

The States will be considering the Committee’s performance report, together with a States Report setting out future themes for Scrutiny, at its March meeting.

Deputy Pritchard concluded:

“Whilst the current Committee is conscious that the next Scrutiny Committee must be free to act as it sees fit, it will be taking the opportunity to highlight various areas which, if developed, would further improve the accountability of the States.”