Jersey Dental Scheme: Board of Management: Chair: Nomination

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 October 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2013-0102
Decision Summary Title :	DS Nomination for Chair to the Board of Management JDS 2013		Date of Decision Summary:	11th Oct 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		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 :	WR Nomination for Chair to the Board of Management JDS 2013		Date of Written Report:	11th Oct 2013
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Nomination for Chair to the Jersey Dental Scheme Board of Management
Decision(s): The Minister decided to nominate Eileen Fitzgerald to serve as Chair to the Jersey Dental Scheme Board of Management for a three year period, commencing 5th November 2013
Reason(s) for Decision: The Jersey Dental Scheme provides subsidised dental treatment for young people (aged 11 to 18 or up to 21 if in full time education). The ‘Draft Act establishing a scheme to subsidise certain dental care’ of 1991 sets out the operation of the scheme, including administration by a Board of Management. The Act requires the Minister to appoint a Chair to the board who will undertake duties to ensure good governance. Appointments made by the States – Revised procedures’ P.205/2009 requires the Minister present a report to the States setting out the detail of his nomination. The Minister is pleased to nominate Eileen Fitzgerald and recommend that she undertake the duties of Chair taking over from the previous acting chair who resigned in April 2013
Resource Implications: There are no manpower or cost implications in respect of this decision.
Action required: Policy Principal to request Greffier of the States to arrange for the report to be presented to the States for their information
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Jersey Dental Scheme: Board of Management: Chair: Nomination

REPORT

Under the procedure set out in P.205/2009 Appointments made by the States – Revised procedures’, The Minister would like to nominate Ms Eileen Fitzgerald for the role of Chair to the Board of Management of The Jersey Dental Scheme.

The Jersey Dental Scheme (JDS) was established by an Act of the States in 1991 (P.90/1991). The JDS forms a partnership between the States and scheme members to cover the costs of routine dental care and is targeted at young people between the ages of 11 and 21 years.

The administration of the Scheme is carried out by a Board of Management consisting of a lay Chairman (who is appointed by the States) and four other members appointed by the Minister; of whom two are nominated by the Minister and two by the Jersey Dental Association. The Chair and board members all serve in a voluntary capacity.

Recruitment for this role has been conducted under the supervision of the Jersey Appointments Commission who have confirmed that they are content the recruitment process has been conducted appropriately, meeting the standards required in openness, equity and impartiality.

The Chair will ensure that the Jersey Dental Scheme Board of Management meets at regular intervals throughout the year, preside at all meetings to ensure good governance is observed. The Chair is also required to ensure that the recommendations of the Board are communicated accurately to the Minister of Social Security.

The Minister is pleased to appoint Eileen Fitzgerald for the role of Chair commencing 5th November 2013. Eileen Fitzgerald was educated in Ireland to MBA level and first came to Jersey in the mid 1990s. Eileen works in the finance industry with a strong background in strategy development, change management and communications.