Civil and Non-Anglican Weddings and Civil Partnerships: Increase in fees charged by Superintendent Registrar

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made made 22 March 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2016-0021
Decision Summary Title:	Increase in fees charged by the Superintendent Registrar		Date of Decision Summary:	4 March 2016
Decision Summary Author:	Superintendent Registrar		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title:	Proposed increases to fees from 1 April 2016		Date of Written Report:	4 March 2016
Written Report Author:	Superintendent Registrar		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Qualified Exempt, Article 35 Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011
Subject: Increase in notice fees for ceremonies and fees payable for the arrangement of civil and non-Anglican weddings and civil partnerships.
Decision(s): The Minister: approved an increase of £5 to the notice fees for ceremonies; approved an increase of £20 to the fee payable by couples who live outside the island for the arrangement of civil and non-Anglican weddings and civil partnerships.
Reason(s) for Decision: Fees associated with ceremonies were last increased with effect from 1 January 2014. The increase in fees is estimated to result in additional income for the Superintendent Registrar of £4,875 which is equivalent of 4.1% over the two year period. Approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources Minister is not required as the estimated additional income is less than 2.5% per annum (Financial Direction 4.1). The fee increases produce figures that are manageable monetary units i.e. increases of £5 or £10, mindful that the Office accepts many fees by cash or cheques.
Resource Implications: None other than those detailed in the accompanying report.
Actions required: The Superintendent Registrar to request that the Law Draftsman prepares the relevant Order to give effect to the fee increases.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):