Government of Jersey logo usage (FOI)

Request

A

Please explain the criteria agreed by Ministers on private sector organisations being enabled or allowed to use the 'Government of Jersey' logo on their communications and advertising materials, and the like; and provide a copy of guidance on the matter issued to public servants. 

B

By what statutory power, or decision of the legislature or ministerial decision, is this permitted, or not, as the case may be? What time bars, if any, are applied? Where lies the enforcement responsibility for it? And exactly where in the public service is 'ownership' of the logo?

C

Please advise how many private sector organisations are currently permitted so to use the logo, and the numbers, per annum, over the last five years, including how many have ceased to be allowed to use it: and, in both cases, why?

Response 

A

The permission for private sector organisations to be enabled or allowed to use the 'Government of Jersey' logo on their communications and advertising materials is not a political matter and therefore sits within the operational remit of the Communications Directorate. Should there ever be a request in which the Director of Communications considers there is a political element, advice would be shared with the Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for Communications, Deputy Lucy Stephenson, for her decision. 

Currently, for a private sector company to utilise the logo of the Government of Jersey, they must obtain permission directly from the government, either by initiating contact with the relevant department or directly with the Communications Directorate. The Communications Directorate is responsible for brand management of the Government of Jersey and only enables private companies to utilise the government logo for specifically agreed purposes where the government is working with the private company to achieve a public good.

B

In relation to the utilisation of the Government of Jersey's logo by private sector companies, there are no specific statutory power, legislative decision, or ministerial decisions required for its use. The government's approach to granting permission for logo usage is not governed by explicit legal provisions. Instead, the government's process pertaining to logo usage is guided by internal processes. These are practically managed by the Marketing and Campaigns team within the Communications Directorate.

Private sector companies seeking to obtain authorisation for using the Government of Jersey's logo should engage directly with the Communications Directorate, which is responsible for its brand management. There are prescribed guidelines for the use of the logo which need to be adhered to.

C

This information is not formally recorded by the Government of Jersey as it has happened so infrequently (fewer than five times over the last five years for specific events and campaigns). Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies. If a member of the public feels the government logo is being abused, or is appearing where it should not, they should contact the Communications Directorate (using the Press Office: +44 (0) 1534 440430).

Article applied 

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.