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

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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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 6 August 2012:

Decision Reference: MD – ESC – 2012 - 020
Decision Summary Title):	Recommendations on Changes and Amendments to the Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011 to take effect from September 2012		Date of Decision Summary:	6 August 2012
Decision Summary Author:	David Greenwood Assistant Director Lifelong Learning		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Recommendations on Changes and Amendments to the Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011 to take effect from September 2012		Date of Written Report:	1 August 2012
Written Report Author:	Andrew Gibbs Head of Careers & Work Related Learning		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Changes to Student Grants Orders with effect from September 2012
Decision(s): The Minister agreed that the Law Draftsman should be requested to amend the Student Grants Orders 2011 to take account of his wishes as detailed in the report mentioned above (Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011)
Reason(s) for Decision: The Education (Jersey) Law 1999 empowers the Minister ‘by order’ to make grants for students following programmes of higher education. The Orders describe the amount of States support available, the terms and conditions under which it is available and the criteria which students and their families must meet to be eligible. Costs of tuition change annually and administrative arrangements are often modified in light of experience gained. The amended Orders are usually laid before the States in September each year.
Resource Implications: A small amount of law drafting time
Action required: Request the Law Draftsman to prepare the necessary amendment to the Order (on the basis of the attached report.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Education, Sport and Culture
Date Signed		Date of Decision:

Education (Discretionary Grants - Amounts) (Jersey) Order: Proposed Amendments

States_CMYK

Education, Sport and Culture Department Report
Subject:	Recommendations on Changes and Amendments to the Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011 to take Effect from September 2012
Exempt Clause:	Public	Date:	1st August 2012

Author:	Andrew Gibbs : Head of Careers & Learning Support

Background

In 2010 the Minister made a decision to adjust the maintenance grant by 2% annually in order to try and keep pace with rising costs. Within the Order different levels of maintenance are paid to students studying different types of course where the academic year is of a different length. For example a standard degree is based on an academic year of 31.5 weeks whereas a medical student will be expected to be at university for 42 weeks. For 2012, each of these levels of maintenance has been adjusted by approximately 2%. In addition a similar change has been made to the daily rate for extended periods of study that are compulsory.

The proposed changes below reflect the above adjustments.

Proposed Changes

Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011

Article 2 (1)

In the table in Article 2(1) of the principal Order –

(a) for the amount “£5,200” substitute the amount “£5,300”

(b) for the amount “£5,679” substitute the amount “£5, 793”

(d) for the amount “£8,335” substitute the amount “£8,502”

(e) for the amount “£7,213” substitute the amount “£7,357”

Article 4 (5) (a)

For the amount “£13567” substitute the amount “£14300”

Article 7 (a) For the amount “£17.11” substitute the amount “£17.45”

(b) For the amount “£21.02” substitute the amount “£21.44”

Recommendations

The Minister is recommended to:

amend the Education (Discretionary Grants – Amounts) (Jersey) Order 2011 in accordance with the table above to take effect from September 2012

instruct Officers to request Law Draftsman to make the required amendments

request the Greffier of the States to lodge the amended Orders in the States assembly