Co-ordinator for Best Start Partnership application (FOI)

Request 

I would like a copy of the application made to the Covid Fund by, or on behalf of, the Best Start Partnership concerning the funding for a Best Start Co-ordinator. 

Clarification: 

I would like to see the application made to the Co-funded Payroll Fund for a new position of Coordinator for Best Start Partnership.

This application was made by [name redacted].

Response 

The information requested is exempt under Article 35 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011. 

Article applied 

Article 35 - Formulation and development of policies 

Information is qualified exempt information if it relates to the formulation or development of any proposed policy by a public authority. 

Public Interest Test 

Public interest considerations favouring disclosure: 

• Disclosure of the information would support transparency and promote accountability to the general public, providing confirmation that the necessary discussions have taken place.
• Disclosure to the public fulfils an educative role about the early stages in policy development and illustrates how the department engages with parties for this purpose.  

Public interest considerations favouring withholding the information:

• In order to best develop policy and provide advice to Ministers, officials need a safe space in which free and frank discussion can take place – discussion of how documentation is presented and provided is considered as integral to policy development as iterations of documents are demonstrative of the policy development process. 
• The need for this safe space is considered at its greatest during the live stages of a policy. 
• Release of the information at this stage might generate misinformed debate. This would affect the ability of officials to consider and develop policy away from external pressures, and to advise Ministers appropriately. 
• Premature disclosure of this information may limit the willingness of parties to provide their honest views and feedback. This would hamper and harm the policy–making process not only in relation to this subject area but in respect of future policy development across wider departmental business.