Social Security Department 2011 unspent carry forward transfer to Central Reserves

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 10 December 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2012-0114
Decision Summary Title:	Transfer of 2011 unspent carry forward from SSD to Central Reserves		Date of Decision Summary:	6 December 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Director of Financial Planning and Performance		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Transfer of 2011 unspent carry forward from SSD to Central Reserves		Date of Written Report:	6 December 2012
Written Report Author:	Business Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Transfer of 2011 unspent carry forward from the Social Security Department (SSD) to Central Reserves.
Decision(s): The Minister approved a non-recurring budget transfer in 2012 of £5,200,000 from the SSD revenue head of expenditure to Central Reserves.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 2(6) of the Public Finance (transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure.
Resource Implications: The SSD revenue head of expenditure to decrease by £5,200,000 and Central Reserves to increase by an identical amount in 2012.
Action required: Business Manager to notify the Assistant Accountant, Financial Accounting and Control, SSD Director of Finance and Governance and SSD Finance Manager that this decision has been approved.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed: 10/12/12		Date of Decision:

Social Security Department 2011 unspent carry forward transfer to Central Reserves

- 1 -

Treasury and Resources

Ministerial Decision Report

Transfer of 2011 unspent carry forward from the Social Security Department to Central Reserves

Purpose of Report

To enable the Minster to approve a Social Security Department (SSD) request to a transfer of £5,200,000 of unspent 2011 carry forward monies to Central Reserves.

Background

As part of the 2011 Year End Departmental Revenue carry forwards of £22,856,636 approved by the Treasury Minister, SSD received £10,482,953 (MD-TR-2012-0019 refers).

The projects submitted by SSD as part of this request consisted of the following:

Long Term Care Scheme	£580,000
Temporary Insolvency Scheme	£100,000
Increased Unemployment	£2,000,000
Cold Weather Bonus	£50,000
Back to Work Projects	£7,403,953
Discrimination Legislation	£100,000
Minimum Wage Research	£25,000
Staff Costs	£224,000
Total	£10,482,953

Current position

The request for funding was made in late 2011 at a time of uncertainty regarding future funding streams for Back to Work projects and the economic circumstances effecting unemployment in the island.

As a result of funding approved by the States within the MTFP 2013 – 2015 and a slower than expected take up of Back to Work initiatives, a total of £5,200,000 of the SSD 2011 Year End Departmental Revenue Carry Forward is not required and available for returning to Central Reserves.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve a non-recurring budget transfer in 2012 of £5,200,000 from the SSD revenue head of expenditure to Central Reserves, in respect of 2011 unspent carry forward not required as a result of funding approved by the States within the MTFP 2013 - 2015.

Reason for Decision

Article 2(6) of the Public Finance (transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure.

Resource Implications

The SSD revenue head of expenditure to decrease by £5,200,000 and Central Reserves to increase by an identical amount in 2012.

Report author : Business Manager	Document date : 6/12/2012
Quality Assurance / Review : Director of Financial Planning and Performance	File name and path: l:\treasury\sections\corporate finance\ministerial decisions\dss, wrs and sds\2012-0114 - carry forward transfer from soc sec to treasury\wr -.doc
MD sponsor : Treasurer of the States