Government of Jersey

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 24 April 2020:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2020-0049
Decision Summary Title:	Approval of Scheme Guidelines for Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2 and allocation of Reserve Funding to CLS in 2020		Date of Decision Summary:	24th April 2020
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Financial Governance		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title:	Approval of Scheme Guidelines for Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2 and allocation of Reserve Funding to CLS in 2020		Date of Written Report:	24th April 2020
Written Report Author:	Head of Financial Governance		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Approval of Scheme Guidelines for Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2 and allocation of Reserve Funding to CLS in 2020
Decision(s): The Minister decided to approve: the Scheme Guidelines for the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2 as attached to the written report; and the allocation of up to £138 million in 2020 from the General Reserve to CLS (Customer and Local Services) for the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2. The Minister further decided to: transfer an initial amount of £46 million to CLS for the first month of the Scheme; delegate to the Treasurer of the States the ability to authorise further drawdowns, up to the £138 million approved funding, and transfer to CLS; and delegate to the Treasurer of the States the ability to authorise minor changes to Scheme Guidelines, with the agreement of the Minister, providing such changes are published on www.gov.je.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 15(3) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that the approval by the States of a government plan authorises the Minister to direct how an approved appropriation for a reserve head of expenditure in the plan may be spent (including on another head of expenditure) in the first financial year covered by the plan. The current Contingency Allocation Policy (published as R.23/2020) sets the requirement for all allocations from contingency to be considered by the Investment Appraisal Board, Principal Accountable Officer and States Treasurer prior to submission to the Minister for approval, however it also states that ‘Where a request is made for £100,000 or less, or where the Minister is satisfied that there is an urgent need to provide funding in the public interest, an allocation may be made by the Minister on the recommendation of the Treasurer.’ Following approval of the Scheme principles and Guidelines by the Council of Ministers, the Minister is satisfied that there is an urgent need to provide funding in the public interest. This scheme was proposed to the Council of Ministers and approved unanimously on 20 April 2020. The scheme guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the four Ministers that will form the Coronavirus Government Support for Businesses Political Oversight Group (POG), namely: - Sen. Lyndon Farnham - Dep. Susie Pinel - Dep. Judy Martin - Sen. Ian Gorst These Ministers have also been made aware the significant risks that are attached to the scheme. These have been judged to be accepted given the need to provide urgent and essential support to workers’ livelihoods and businesses. A detailed risk analysis that was prepared as part of the business case has been reviewed by these Ministers and they have confirmed their written acceptance of the risks associated with the scheme, some of which cannot be fully mitigated. A Business case has been developed and appraised by the Investment Appraisal Team. On the basis of the above and the above confirmations by Ministers, the Treasurer recommends to the Minister, the scheme and the funding, for up to 3 months, subject to monthly review of the scheme.
Resource Implications: The General Reserve head of expenditure will decrease by up to £138 million in 2020 and the CLS head of expenditure will increase by up to the same amount.
Action required: Head of Financial Governance to ensure this decision is published on www.gov.je and notify the Head of Finance Business Partnering – CLS.
Signature:		Position: Deputy S J Pinel, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Co-Funded Payroll Scheme - Phase 2: Approval of Guidelines and allocation of Reserve Funding to Customer and Local Services in 2020

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A decision made 24 April 2020:

Approval of Scheme Guidelines for Co-Funded Payroll Scheme Phase 2 and allocation of Reserve Funding to CLS in 2020