Government of Jersey

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 December 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2012-0125
Decision Summary Title:	Budget Transfer between Chief Minister’s Information Services (CMD-IS) capital heads Of expenditure to the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure.		Date of Decision Summary:	7th December 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Financial Management, Accounting and Reporting		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Budget transfers between Chief Minister’s Information Services (CMD-IS) capital heads of expenditure to the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure.		Date of Written Report:	26th November 2012
Written Report Author:	Finance Manager – Corporate Group		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Budget transfer from various Chief Minister’s Department-Information Services (CMD-IS) capital heads of expenditure to the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure.
Decision(s): The Chief Minister approved a non-recurring budget transfer of £747,940.37 in 2012 only from various CMD-IS capital heads of expenditure to the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 2(6) of the Public Finances (Transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure. Delegation 1.3 delegates authority for non-contentious transfers between heads of expenditure of up to £1,000,000 to the Treasurer of the States.
Resource Implications: The CMD-IS various capital heads of expenditure in the attached report to decrease by £747,940.37 in 2012 only and the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure to increase by an identical amount. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to advise Finance Manager – Corporate Group and Head of Financial Management, Accounting and Reporting that this decision has been approved.
Signature:		Position: Senator Ian Gorst, Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Budget transfer - Information Services

Chief Minister’s

Ministerial Decision Report

BUDGET TRANSFERS BETWEEN CHIEF mINISTER’S capital HEADS OF EXPENDITURE

Purpose of Report

To enable the Minister to approve non-recurring budget transfers of £747,940.37 within the Chief Minister’s Department-Information Services (CMD-IS) capital heads of expenditure.

Background

On the 26th November 2012 the Capital Sub Group approved a report requesting the transfer of various unspent CMD-IS capital heads of expenditure totalling £747,940.37 to the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure. A copy of the report setting out the supporting detail is attached.

Proposal

This report recommends the transfer of unspent capital heads of expenditure to the IS/IT capital head of expenditure in order to provide funding for future investment in corporate technology projects.

Recommendation

Article 2(6) of the Public Finances (Transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure. Delegation 1.3 delegates authority for non-contentious transfers between heads of expenditure of up to £1,000,000 to the Treasurer of the States.

Reason for Decision

Article 15(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure.

Resource Implications

The CMD-IS capital heads of expenditure in the attached report to decrease by £747,940.37 in 2012 only and the CMD-IS computer development capital head of expenditure to increase by an identical amount. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States.

Report author : Finance Manager, Corporate Group	Document date : 26th November 2012
Quality Assurance / Review : Head of Decision Support	File name and path: L:\Shared Services\Sections\Advisory Unit\1. Chief Minister's Department\Ministerial Decisions\2012\Ministerial Decisions.doc