Government of Jersey

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

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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
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A decision made 12 March 2010 regarding: States Treasurer - interim appointment.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2010-0042
Decision Summary Title:	Interim appointment of a person to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer		Date of Decision Summary:	9th March 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Chief executive to the Council of Ministers		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Interim appointment of a person to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer		Date of Written Report:	9th March 2010
Written Report Author:	Chief executive to the Council of Ministers		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Interim appointment of a person to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer.
Decision(s): The Minister appointed Mr Hugh McGarel-Groves FCA MA (Cantab) to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer while Mr Ian Black, the holder of the office of Treasurer, is unable to perform the functions of the office due to personal reasons.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 establishes the office of Treasurer. This Office has a number of specific legal responsibilities placed upon it and the Treasury Minister has previously delegated some of his powers to the Treasurer. Mr Black is away for personal reasons and it is unlikely he will return to work in the next month. Given the seniority of the post and the significant role of the Treasury it is not feasible to leave the office of the Treasurer uncovered. Under Article 29(5)(b) the Public Finances Law provides for an interim appointment in order to ensure that the functions of the office are properly fulfilled.
Resource Implications: There are no manpower or resource implications.
Action required: Mr Hugh McGarel-Groves FCA MA (Cantab) to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer while Mr Ian Black, the holder of the office of Treasurer, is unable to perform the functions of the office due to personal reasons.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

States Treasurer - interim appointment

Treasury and Resources

Ministerial Decision Report

Interim appointment to perform functions of treasurer

1. Purpose of Report

The Interim appointment of Mr Hugh McGarel-Groves to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer whilst the holder of office is away for personal reasons.

2. Background

In the summer of 2009 the Treasurer, in response to the Treasury Minister’s and Public Accounts Committee’s concerns, produced a report setting out how he believed the financial management processes and structures of the States should be strengthened. An Interim Consultant was commissioned to produce a final detailed delivery plan which was duly completed on 2 December 2009 and subsequently agreed.

One of the key features of the delivery plan was the appointment of a States of Jersey Finance Director to whom the Treasurer intended to delegate the majority of his legal functions in relation to financial management.

After a selection process undertaken by the Treasury Minister, Treasurer and Chief Executive Mr Hugh McGarel-Groves was appointed due to his extensive experience in this role.

3. Current situation

The Treasurer, Mr Ian Black, is currently out of the office due to personal reasons and is unlikely to return to work for the next month. Given the seniority of the post and the significant role of the Treasury it would not be feasible to leave the office of the Treasurer uncovered.

Under Article 29(5)(b) the Public Finances Law provides for an interim appointment in order to ensure that the functions of the office are properly fulfilled. Mr McGarel-Groves has extensive experience having held Chief Officer roles and Section 151 Officer responsibility in the United Kingdom and is able to perform the function of Treasurer in an interim capacity.

4. Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to appoint Mr Hugh McGarel-Groves FCA MA (Cantab) as the Interim Treasurer, the person appointed to carry out the functions of the office of Treasurer while Mr Ian Black, the holder of the office of Treasurer, is unable to perform the functions of the office due to personal reasons.

5. Reason for Decision

The Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 establishes the office of Treasurer. This Office has a number of specific legal responsibilities placed upon it and the Treasury Minister has previously delegated some of his powers to the Treasurer. Mr Black is away for personal reasons and it is unlikely he will return to work in the next month. Given the seniority of the post and the significant role of the Treasury it would not be feasible to leave the office of the Treasurer uncovered.

Under Article 29(5)(b) the Public Finances Law provides for an interim appointment in order to ensure that the functions of the office are properly fulfilled.

6. Resource Implications

There are no manpower or resource implications. The Treasury Minister, the Treasurer and the Chief Executive to the Council of Ministers had previously appointed Mr McGarel-Groves as interim Finance Director. The Treasurer had decided he would delegate a number of his functions to Mr McGarel-Groves in order to allow him to carry out the role of Finance Director. As he was already in post and funded there are no additional resource implications resulting from this decision.