Digital Jersey external public relations tender (FOI)

Request

A

Please could you advise why Digital Jersey, a government funded organisation, has not gone out to tender for their external PR and Communications?

B

Please could you confirm how much the external spend is for external PR and Communications function at Digital Jersey?

C

Also, why do Ministers have their own budget for external PR and Communications, when there is a perfectly sufficient internal States of Jersey Communications Department and communication experts within various other internal departments?

Response

A and B

Digital Jersey Limited is a private Jersey company (company registration number 110982), which receives the majority of its funding from a grant issued by the States of Jersey.

The Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 does not extend to Digital Jersey on the basis that it does not fall within the definition of a “public authority” under that Law. Operational decisions about Digital Jersey’s Public Relations (PR) and Communication activities are made by the CEO of Digital Jersey, in discussion with his fellow board members. These decisions are aligned with the delivery of Digital Jersey’s annual business plan. More information about the 2016 Digital Jersey Business Plan is available at the following website:

2016 Digital Jersey Business Plan

C

Ministers do not have a budget for external PR and communications and the Council of Ministers does not have its own budget. Ministers and departments have access to the Communications Unit based within the Chief Minister’s Department. Departments also, as required, employ or commission communications support when additional resource is required.