Housing Department Capital Budget Transfer

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (20.08.07) to approve a Housing Department capital budget transfer for the Clos du Fort refurbishment.

Subject:	Housing Department Capital Budget Transfer
Decision Reference:	MD-TR-2007-0086	Exempt clause(s):		N/A
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		N/A
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	N/A	Report File ref:		KLB/7/14/08/07
Written Report – Title	Housing Department Capital Budget Transfer	Written report - author		Kelly Le Bailly – Assistant Accountant, Financial Planning
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following capital budget transfer: Capital to Capital £249,069 from Victoria Cottage Homes Modernisation project to the Clos Du Fort Refurbishment project.
Reason(s) for decision: Financial direction 3.6 requires this budget transfer to be approved by the Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Action required To request Treasury officers to effect the necessary transfers. To advise the Housing Department when the transfers have been effected.
Signature: (Minister / Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Housing Department Capital Budget Transfer

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

Housing Department capital budget transfer

1. Purpose of Report

1.1. To agree the transfer of budget between capital projects of the Housing Department.

2. Background

2.1. Financial Direction No. 3.6 ‘Variations to Heads of Expenditure’ sets out the procedures for the transfers between capital heads of expenditure and states that capital transfers in excess of £100,000 require the approval of the Treasury and Resources Minister and the relevant Minister party to the transfer.

2.2. Approval has been received from the Housing Minister and the Treasury and Resources Minister is now being asked to approve the transfers.

3. Comments

3.1. In 2004 the Housing Department were allocated £250,000 for the Clos du Fort Refurbishment project. At that time an urgent need arose to replace the roof at the Victoria Cottage Homes and the Corporate Capital Section of the Treasury agreed that this budget could be used for this purpose as Housing had a 2005 capital bid for the Victoria Cottage Homes.

3.2. The 2005 capital budget was uploaded directly into the Victoria Cottage Homes Modernisation account. In order to repay this temporary transfer, the Housing Department have asked to transfer £249,069 from the Victoria Cottage Homes Maintenance project to the Clos Du Fort Refurbishment project.

4. Recommendation

4.1. It is recommended that the Minister agrees to the transfer of budget between capital projects of the Housing Department as detailed above.

5. Reason for Decision

5.1. The Housing Minister has requested the capital budget transfers detailed in this report. Financial direction 3.6 requires certain budget transfers to be approved by the Treasury and Resources Minister.