Ministerial decision regarding Freedom of Information and related (FOI)

Request 691251746

On 22/02/25 Deputy Malcom Ferey (assistant chief minister) publish, on his X account, a Ministerial Decision from the Chief Minister Deputy Farnham, delegating responsibility for ‘Freedom of Information and related legislation’ to Deputy Ferey. 

Extent of responsibility delegated. 

‘The ability to answer questions or act as rapporteur in the States Assembly on this matter and develop policy or legislation in this area.

Notably, a review of the Law and its operation is taking place in 2025 to support increased transparency, while managing the volume and supporting the effective conduct of public business. The delegation will support the implementation of this work, including engagement with Scrutiny and States Members.’

Documentation required

In order to validate and FOIR costs quoted in his review of the Law, Deputy Ferey will obviously use a specific methodology to calculate the costs associated with producing answers to Freedom of Information requests.

​Can I please have documentation detailing this methodology

Response

The Terms of Reference do not include a cost estimate, a figure of £1m has been publicly quoted. Documentation detailing the methodology is not held by the Government of Jersey and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 therefore applies. 

Information relating to the costs of responding to a Freedom of Information request can be found in response to a previous request via the link below: 

Breakdown of costs of FOI requests (FOI)

Further information is publicly available on the Government of Jersey Website, via the links below. Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Freedom of Information (FOI)

Use of Exemptions Policy Guidance.pdf

About Freedom of Information (FOI)​

Articles applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.​