Skip to main content Skip to accessibility
This website is not compatible with your web browser. You should install a newer browser. If you live in Jersey and need help upgrading call the States of Jersey web team on 440099.
Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (02/02/2009) regarding: Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury & Resources Department                           

Ministerial Decision

Decision Reference:  MD-TR-2009-0015

Decision Summary Title:

Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees

Date of Decision Summary:

28th January 2009

Decision Summary Author:

Kevin Hemmings

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:

Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees

Date of Written Report:

28th January 2009

Written Report Author:

Kevin Hemmings

Head of Decision Support

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

Public

Subject:  Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees

 

 

Decision(s):

The Minister approved the increase in the fee for a certificate of birth, marriage or death from £10 to £20.

 

Reason(s) for Decision:

Financial direction 4.1 requires the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve any fee increase greater than 2.5%.

 

Resource Implications:

Other than those detailed in the report there are no further financial or manpower Implications.

 

Action required: Head of Decision Support to notify the Home Affairs Department of the Minister’s approval of the increase in the fee for a certificate of birth, marriage or death from £10 to £20.

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources

 

                 

 

Date Signed: 2nd February 2009

Date of Decision: 2nd February 2009  

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees.

 

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

 

Increase in Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Fees

 

1.             Purpose of Report

To enable the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve a request from the Home Affairs Department to increase the fee for a certificate of birth, marriage or death from £10 to £20.

 

2.             Background

Under financial direction 4.1 the prior approval of the Minister is required for increases in States fees and charges which exceed 2.5% per annum.  This approval has been delegated to the Treasurer of the States in non-contentious cases.

 

3.             Departmental Justification

The fee charged for a certificate of birth, marriage and death currently stands at £10, the fee charged since the enactment of the Marriage and Civil Status ( Jersey ) Law 2001 in 2002. Just before the previous Home Affairs Minister left office, she agreed that this fee should be increased to £20. This was in agreement with the Connétable of St Helier who has been pressing for an increase for some time as his parish bears the overwhelming burden of the costs of birth, marriage and death registration in the Island for the Island .

 

The most significant volume of work lies in the registration of births as the births of the majority of children in the Island occur at the General Hospital (2007: only 7 of the 1104 births registered in the Island occurred outside St Helier) but it is also the case that the numbers of deaths and marriages in St Helier outnumber those in any one country parish by a significant factor. In 2007, there were 527 deaths in St Helier out of an Island total of 707 and 261 non-Anglican marriages in St Helier out of an island total of 454. It is the Parish of St Helier’s intention that the monies raised by this increase will help off-set the service that its register office provides to the Island . The Comite des Connétables are in agreement with this proposed increase.

 

As the Parish does not have to adhere to Financial Directions it could increase its fees; however it would be inconsistent to have two different levels of fees for the Parish and the Superintendent Registrar. Therefore, following discussions between officers from the Home Affairs and Treasury and Resources Departments the department is seeking approval, in accordance with Financial Direction No 4.1, for an increase in Birth, Marriage and Death certificate fees in excess of 2.5%. It is the department’s intention to review all fees and charges made by the Superintendent Registrar’s office during 2009 following the recent appointment of a new Superintendent Registrar.

                                                                                                                                                                                   

4.             Recommendation

That the Minister approves the increase in the fee for a certificate of birth, marriage or death from £10 to £20.

 

5.             Reason for Decision

Financial direction 4.1 requires the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve any fee increase greater than 2.5%.

States Treasury                                                      Kevin Hemmings, Head of Decision Support

9 February, 2009                                                                                for decision 2nd February 2009

 

 

 

Back to top
rating button