Records Advisory Panel: 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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 7 December 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-ESC-2015-0025
Decision Summary Title):	Records Advisory Panel Appointment		Date of Decision Summary:	4 December 2015
Decision Summary Author:	Culture Officer, DfESC		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Appointment of the Records Advisory Panel		Date of Written Report:	4 December 2015
Written Report Author:	Culture Officer, DfESC		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Appointment of Members of the Records Advisory Panel
Decision(s): Pursuant to Article 14 (2) of the Public Records (Jersey) Law, the Minister confirmed the appointment of the five members of the Records Advisory Panel following a formal appointments process. The members of the panel will serve for a term of six years following their swearing-in before the Royal Court. The members are: Mrs M-L. Backhurst Miss M.M Billot (existing member) Mrs A.H. Harris Mr J.M.E. Harris Mr M.C. Sunier (existing member) Under Article 14 (4), the Minister appointed Mr J.M.E. Harris as Panel chairman.
Reason(s) for Decision: The terms of office of the current panel expire on 11 December 2015 and the Minister is required to appoint a new panel to succeed it.
Resource Implications: There are no resource implications.
Action required: The Minister directed that the successful applications should be informed of their appointment, arrangements made for their swearing-in before the Royal Court as soon as practical, and the States informed of the decisions by publication of a Report as prescribed by Article 14(5) of the Law.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Education, Sport and Culture
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: