Nine “Theodule committees” that must be suppressed in consumption and research

This article is from Capital magazine

National Higher Commission for Personnel in the Electricity and Gas Industries: Companies do not need it

According to the official nomenclature, this joint body, which smacks of old-style unionism, is responsible for “the extension of collective agreements concluded in the branch” of the electricity and gas industries, as well as for dealing with questions “concerning recruitment. , advancement, discipline “of staff.

Despite this clever job description, the 38 members of the CSNP must sometimes wonder why the Minister of Industry appointed them. Between 2017 and 2020, they attended a total of four meetings. While social dialogue is already organized within each group in the energy sector (EDF, GRDF, Enedis, etc.), it is not forbidden to ask what the electricity and gas industries commission is for. And even less to delete it!

Merger of the National Food Council and the National Consumer Institute: their missions are very similar

These two structures, which deal with related issues (food, agriculture, consumption), could easily be brought together in a single body. This would both increase efficiency and reduce budgetary costs: the operating expenses of the National Food Council (60 members, 71 meetings in 2019) amounted to 370,000 euros in 2019.

Food Observatory: it is useful but it is very expensive

Despite the moderate level of activity of its 21 members (5 meetings per year, on average), this observatory swallows up 450,000 euros of public money each year. To save money, the government would be well advised to integrate it into the extended structure, resulting from the merger between the National Food Council and the National Consumer Institute.

Observatory of the formation of prices and margins of food products: its mission is really sharp

This thing of questionable utility could be integrated into the large structure born from the merger between the National Council of Food and the National Institute of Consumption.

National Consumer Council: it has no less than 90 members

This organization, which has 90 members, meeting 15 to 20 times a year, could also pass under the flag of the previous large structure.

Strategic Research Council: it has only met once in three years

Despite the presence within it of such eminent personalities as Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine, the writer Marie Darrieussecq or the climatologist Jean Jouzel, this structure, created in 2013, has not really proven its ability to weigh on the main orientations of the French scientific research strategy.

Given the weakness of its activity (only one meeting in 2017, zero in 2018 and 2019) and the similarity of its prerogatives with those of the National Council for Higher Education and Research, it could very well be removed without damage.

National Council for Scientific, Technical and Industrial Culture: it hasn’t done anything for 2 years

Established in 2012, the CNCSTI is responsible for drawing up a national strategy for the development of scientific, technical and industrial culture. He also advises the State on the actions that it wishes to promote. Since the last CNCSTI plenary meeting, on December 20, 2019, the website of the Ministry of Higher Education, on which it depends, has not mentioned any action!

Trade concertation commission: its activity is almost non-existent

Since its creation in 2015, this consultative body has been responsible for providing information to the public authorities on matters relating to businesses. This is without counting on the fact that Bercy can already rely on its plethora of services and the expertise of the General Directorate of Enterprises, in charge of trade, much more armed than this commission. With the exception of a report on sales in 2018 and a meeting of its 49 members in 2019, its activity is non-existent.

Financial Law and Regulation Advisory Committee and Financial Sector Advisory Committee: merging them would save money

The missions of the CCLRF – which advises the Minister of the Economy in his exercise of regulatory power – and those of the CCSF – which examines the relations between financial institutions and their clients – are similar. These committees could undoubtedly be regrouped within a single structure. In 2017, the activity, admittedly sustained, of the CCSF (38 meetings) generated relatively high operating costs, amounting to 70,000 euros.