Financial Services Ombudsman: Appointment of Members

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 7 October 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-E-2014-0104
Decision Summary Title :	Appointment of OFSO Board		Date of Decision Summary:	7 October 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Strategy Manager		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 :	Appointment of OFSO Board		Date of Written Report:	7 October 2014
Written Report Author:	Strategy Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Appointment of John Curran, Debbie Guillou, and John Mills to the Board of the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman (OFSO) by the Minister for Economic Development.
Decision(s): Following the nomination of Board members by the Chairman the Minister decided, in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Financial Services Ombudsman (Jersey) Law 2014, to give the States Assembly two weeks’ notice of his intention to appoint John Curran, Debbie Guillou, and John Mills to the Board of the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman (OFSO).
Reason(s) for Decision: Following the registration of the Financial Services Ombudsman (Jersey) Law 2014 in the Royal Court on 25th July 2014, the conclusion of a recruitment process run in conjunction with the States of Guernsey and overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, and the subsequent nomination by the Chairman, it is necessary for the Minister to appoint the Board in order to allow OFSO to proceed with its establishment and open for complaints handling in a timely way. .
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications for the States.
Action required: Greffier of the States to be requested to present to the States the attached Report for their information at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Economic Development
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):