Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Pontorson Lane Monolith, St. Clement.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (09/02/2009) regarding: Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Pontorson Lane Monolith, St. Clement.

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2009-0017
Subject:	Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Pontorson Lane Monolith, St Clement
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Pontorson Lane Monolith, St Clement
DS Author:	Kevin Pilley: Assistant Director, Policy and Projects
DS Date:	23 January 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title :	WR - Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Pontorson Lane Monolith, St Clement
WR Author:	Olga Finch and Roger Hills, Jersey Heritage
WR Date	02 December 2008	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Olga Finch and Roger Hills, Jersey Heritage
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment determined that the boundary of the Archaeological Site (AS) designation relating to the Pontorson Lane Monolith be amended and redefined to apply only to the monolith.
Reason(s) for Decision:	Archaeological investigation has revealed that the prehistoric monolith is not in situ and that the previously defined 5 metre radius around the monolith is not archaeologically sensitive.
Legal and Resource Implications:	None.
Action required:	Notify the owner Amend the AS boundary and update the Register.
Signature:
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Pontorson Lane Monolith, St. Clement.

Pontorson Lane Monolith, La Rue du Pontlietaut, St Clement

This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.

The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the published criteria for assessment and designation of archaeological sites as set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance Archaeology and Planning.

Authors of report: Olga Finch, Curator of Archaeology & Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings

Date of report: 2 December 2008

File ref: CL0120

Relevant interests of the site (also see assessment form)

The Pontorson Lane Monolith is a vertical stone of porphyritic dolerite which is incorporated into the external wall of 17th century building called Constantia Cottage. The site was registered as an AS on 18 February 2008. The stone was identified at that time as a prehistoric menhir but it was not known whether it was in situ or whether it had been incorporated into the wall from elsewhere. A protected radius of 5 metres from the stone was therefore initially included within the AS to ensure that the area of archaeological interest was sufficiently encompassed.

The owner subsequently commissioned an archaeological investigation by Dr W Rodwell that concluded the stone is likely to be a re-used prehistoric menhir or a lintel from a dolmen, but was placed here when the cottage was built - the stone perhaps having been a local feature of symbolic importance sufficiently strong to outweigh the awkwardness of re-using it as a building stone.

JH recommendation

Dr Rodwell’s report shows that the prehistoric monolith is not in situ and thereby the area within the 5 metre radius is not archaeologically sensitive. It is therefore recommended that the AS be redefined to apply only to the monolith.

Justification relating to criteria

Registering the Pontorson Lane Monolith as an Archaeological Site (AS) is in accordance with the published criteria for assessment and designation of archaeological sites as set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance Archaeology and Planning which states, “The basis for this registration will be where there exists specific information about the nature and location of archaeological artefacts or remains” including any historic landscape feature or structure which is judged to be of archaeological value.

Attachments

Assessment form, revised August 2008

Rodwell, W (2008) The Saint Clement Monolith Revisited

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Clive Jones Vice-Chairman: Philip Le Brocq

Rowland Anthony, Geoffrey Crill, Connétable Simon Crowcroft, Blair Gould, Deputy Carolyn Labey, Paul Nicolle, Jane Stubbs, Jonathan Voak