Budget transfer between Education, Sport and Culture and Property Holdings

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 14 January 2010 regarding: Budget transfer between Education, Sport and Culture and Property Holdings.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2009-0204
Decision Summary Title:	Transfers between ESC revenue and Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure		Date of Decision Summary:	30 December 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Decision Support		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title:	Transfers between ESC revenue and Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure		Date of Written Report:	30 November 2009
Written Report Author:	Head of Decision Support		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Transfers between ESC revenue and Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure to allow schools to use revenue funds for the purpose of completing a number of unfunded capital projects.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the transfers of funds amounting to £100,000 in respect of Victoria College, £35,000 in respect of Victoria College Preparatory School, £166,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls and £102,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls Preparatory School from ESC revenue to Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure.
Reason(s) for Decision: Under Financial Direction 3.6 and Article 15(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 the approval of the Minister is required for any variations to heads of expenditure above £100,000.
Resource Implications: Funds amounting to £100,000 in respect of Victoria College, £35,000 in respect of Victoria College Preparatory School, £166,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls and £102,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls Preparatory School will be transferred from ESC revenue to Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to notify the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture of this decision. Treasury staff to action the appropriate budget virement.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Budget transfer between Education, Sport and Culture and Property Holdings

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

Capital to revenue transfer

Purpose of Report

To enable the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture’s request to transfer revenue funds to capital for the purpose of completing a number of unfunded capital projects.

Background

Under Financial Direction 3.6 and the Public Finance (Jersey) Law 2005 the approval of the Minister is required for any variations to heads of expenditure above £100,000.

The Education, Sport and Culture Department have carried forward a balance of £330,000 and wish to transfer a further £403,000 from revenue to capital in order to fund the following projects:-

All of the funds are to be transferred to Jersey Property Holdings (“JPH”) control, who have been working in conjunction with the Department, in order to manage the delivery of works.

Position after transfer

The transfer will ensure sufficient funding for all of projects apart from the Victoria College Drama / ICT and 6th Form Building. The design produced for this project currently exceeds the available funding. Therefore JPH are looking into phasing the project to enable commencement in 2010, subject to planning permission, and this transfer is to fund the first phase. The Education, Sport and Culture Department has stated that funding for future phases will be met from the combination of raising more money through College donations and future transfers from revenue.

The initial tender for the Jersey College for Girls Drama Studio proved too expensive. However, JPH have been working with the School to revise the scheme and are looking to re-tender the project early in 2010.

The time scale for putting to tender the Victoria College Preparatory Staff Room Extension and Jersey College for Girls Preparatory School Hall is expected to be relatively short due to the scale of the projects.

3. Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister for Treasury and Resources approves the transfer of funds amounting to £100,000 in respect of Victoria College, £35,000 in respect of Victoria College Preparatory School, £166,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls and £102,000 in respect of Jersey College for Girls Preparatory School from ESC revenue to Jersey Property Holdings capital heads of expenditure.

4. Reason for Decision

Under Financial Direction 3.6 and Article 15(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 the approval of the Minister is required for any variations to heads of expenditure above £100,000.

States Treasury Finance Manager Decision Support

6 January, 2010