Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 5 December 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2014-0069
Decision Summary Title :	Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant		Date of Decision Summary:	4 December 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant		Date of Written Report:	4 December 2014
Written Report Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant in Jersey. Report and Proposition.
Decision(s): The Minister decided to lodge a Report and Proposition requesting the States to endorse the decision of the Council of Ministers to support the introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant in Jersey and to endorse their decision that the Minister for Home Affairs should fulfil the role of Political Representative and Chairman of the Steering Group.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Covenant aims to bring military and civilian communities together and to acknowledge the sacrifice that members of the armed forces community have made and redress the disadvantages that they face.
Resource Implications: Any additional manpower requirement will be met from within existing resources. There will be the opportunity for the Island to apply for grants from the £30 million Community Covenant Grant Scheme in the UK.
Action required: The Executive Officer, Home Affairs, to request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the attached Report and Proposition to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for consideration by the States on 20 January 2015.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):