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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 8 October 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2012-0075
Decision Summary Title:	Transfer from Revenue to Capital Head of Expenditure		Date of Decision Summary:	4 October 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Finance Director, Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Transfer from Revenue to Capital Head of Expenditure		Date of Written Report:	4 October 2012
Written Report Author:	Finance Director, Home Affairs		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Exempt 3.2. (a) (xiv)
Subject: Internal budget transfer from the Home Affairs revenue head of expenditure to the Home Affairs minor capital head of expenditure amounting to £410,000 to allow for the purchase of specialist equipment, vehicles and IT network equipment in accordance with GAAP accounting.
Decision(s): The Minister approved a non recurring budget transfer of £410,000 for 2012 as set out in the accompanying report.
Reason(s) for Decision: The States of Jersey implemented Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in 2009. GAAP accounting requires that only expenditure meeting the GAAP definition of capital expenditure should be treated as such. All other expenditure must be accounted for as revenue. This budget transfer is the movement in budgets between revenue and capital required to align the budgeting treatment of expenditure with the GAAP accounting treatment. This does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States.
Resource Implications: The Home Affairs revenue head of expenditure to decrease by £410,000 and the Home Affairs minor 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: Finance Director to seek the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources in accordance with Financial Direction 3.6. (Treasurer’s Delegation).
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Budget Transfer - GAAP Accounting: Procurement

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A decision made 8 October 2012: