Transfer of Funding: Infrastructure to Road Safety Improvements

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 9 August 2024:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2024-590		Public
Subject: Transfer funding from the Infrastructure Head of Expenditure to Road Safety Improvements Head of Expenditure
Report Title: WR - Transfer funding from the Infrastructure Head of Expenditure to Road Safety Improvements Head of Expenditure		Public
Decision(s): The Minister approved the transfer of up to £1,000,000 in 2024 from the Infrastructure Head of Expenditure to the Road Safety Improvements Head of Expenditure (P-300107). This is a redirection of usage of the Jersey Car Parking financial return to the States of Jersey, after funding applicable revenue expense on transport initiatives.
Reason for Decision(s): Article 18(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that a specified amount appropriated for one Head of Expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another Head of Expenditure that is set out in the Government Plan. Article 18(4) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that the Minister shall give the States Assembly at least 4 weeks’ notice before an amount is transferred under paragraph (1)(a). Article 18(5) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that if a direction under this Article would affect a Head of Expenditure that relates to the responsibilities of any Minister, that Minister must be consulted before the direction is made. The Minister for Infrastructure has been consulted. The proposition entitled 'Sustainable Island Transport Policy' (P.60/1999 referred) lodged on 11th May 1999, and adopted on 29th June 1999, approved the introduction of a Sustainable Transport Policy. The subsequent proposition entitled 'Car parking charges - allocation of additional income to the funding of transport initiatives' (P.147.2004 referred) was adopted on 19th October 2004, which approved the necessary legislative changes to allow the raising of income from parking charges in excess of the sums required to maintain and operate the Jersey Car Parking Trading Fund. Any additional income raised in this way was to be allocated for the funding of transport initiatives such as the bus service and highway maintenance.
Resource Implications: The Infrastructure Head of Expenditure is limited to receipt of up to £1,700,000, to be drawn down for applicable transport initiatives. Where this revenue source cannot be utilised within the Departmental Head of Expenditure, this Ministerial Decision will enable any unutilised funds, up to a value of £1,000,000, to be transferred to the Road Safety Improvements Head of Expenditure (P-300107) for 2024.
Action Required: The Head of Financial Governance to inform the Head of Finance Business Partnering (I&E) once the decision has been approved.
Signature:	Signed By: Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:	Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):