Budget Transfer: Revenue to Capital for Victoria College & Preparatory School: Minor Capital Projects

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 21 June 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-ESC-2016-0019
Decision Summary Title:	Budget transfer from revenue to capital for minor capital projects at Victoria College and Victoria College Preparatory School	Date of Decision Summary:	15 June 2016
Decision Summary Author:	Finance Manager	Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written	Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Budget transfer from revenue to capital for minor capital projects at Victoria College and Victoria College Preparatory School	Date of Written Report:	15 June 2016
Written Report Author:	Finance Manager	Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Budget transfer from revenue to capital for minor capital projects at Victoria College (“VC”) and Victoria College Preparatory School (“VCP”).
Decision(s): The Minister for Education approved a budget transfer of £115,000 in 2016 from the Education revenue head of expenditure to capital head of expenditure (Minor Capital E00MC10003).
Reason(s) for Decision: The Ministerial Decision (MD-ESC-2016-0014) signed on 18 April 2016 and letter to parents dated 27 April, covering VC and VCP fees for the academic year 2016-2017, highlighted the need for fee increases to assist with funding for minor capital projects as set out in the Victoria College 10 Year School Development Plan. The revenue to capital transfer in 2016 will assist VC with the replacement of porta cabins on College Field with a proposed new classroom block and enable VCP to provide continued improvements to existing facilities pending the move to the new building. Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) expenditure that meets the definition of capital expenditure only can be capitalised. This budget transfer is the movement in budget between capital and revenue required to align the budgeting treatment of expenditure with the accounting treatment, in order to comply with GAAP. Article 18(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be transferred from a capital head of expenditure to a revenue head of expenditure, or vice versa, in order to comply with generally accepted accounting principles or an Order made under Article 32. Delegation 1.2 delegates authority for non-contentious transfers between heads of expenditure with no financial limit where the transfer is solely to ensure that financial transactions are accurately reflected in the States’ Accounts in accordance with GAAP or an Order made under Article 32 of the Law.

Resource Implications: The Education capital head of expenditure (Minor Capital E00MC10003) will increase by £115,000 in 2016 and the revenue head of expenditure will decrease by an identical amount. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States for 2016.
Action required: The Minister for Education to seek approval of the Treasurer of the States for the transfers.
Signature:	Position: Deputy Rod Bryans Minister for Education
Date Signed:	Date of Decision: