Health and Social Services: Appointment of Assistant Ministers

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 9 December 2011:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2011-0050
Decision Summary Title :	Appointment of Assistant Ministers – Health & Social Services Department		Date of Decision Summary:	24 November 2011
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Director – Ministerial Support		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:	Assistant Director – Ministerial Support
Written Report Title :	N/A		Date of Written Report:	N/A
Written Report Author:	N/A		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	N/A
Subject: Health & Social Services Department– Appointment of Assistant Ministers
Decision(s): The Minister for Health & Social Services, after receiving the consent of the Chief Minister, has appointed Deputy Judith Martin and Connétable John Refault as Assistant Ministers.
Reason(s) for Decision: Under Article 25(1) of the States of Jersey Law 2005 allows a Minister to appoint no more than 2 elected members as his or her Assistant Minister. Under Article 25(2), a Minister may only appoint an Assistant Minister with the prior consent of the Chief Minister. Having received the consent of the Chief Minister, the Minister for Health & Social Services has decided to appoint Deputy Judith Martin and Connétable John Refault as her Assistant Ministers. Deputy Martin will have responsibility for issues relating to children and Connétable John Refault will have special responsibility for issues relating to acute services. Both Assistant Ministers will operate in accordance with agreed role descriptions.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications.
Action required: The Department will inform the Chief Minister’s Department when the decision has been made by the Minister.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed)