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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 1 September 2010 regarding: Historic Child Abuse Enquiry - expenditure for second quarter of 2010 - reimbursement to departments.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2010-0128
Decision Summary Title:	Reimbursement of Historic Child Abuse Enquiry Expenditure (HCAE) for the Second Quarter of 2010		Date of Decision Summary:	24th August 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Decision Support Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Transfer of Historical Child Abuse Enquiry Funds to Law Officers’ and Home Affairs Departments for Actual Expenditure Incurred For the Second Quarter 2010		Date of Written Report:	24th August 2010
Written Report Author:	Decision Support Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: The reimbursement of actual HCAE expenditure incurred in the second quarter of 2010.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the transfer of £129,004 to the Law Officers’ Department and £221,500 to the Home Affairs Department from the Treasury and Resources Department contingency fund in order to cover actual HCAE expenditure incurred in the second quarter of 2010.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 15(1)(a) the Public Finance (Jersey) Law 2005 permits the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve that a head of expenditure may be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure. Financial Direction 3.6, Variations to Heads of Expenditure states that transfers between revenue heads of expenditure above £100,000 require the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Resource Implications: There will be no increase to States net expenditure as a result of this decision.
Action required: Finance Manager, Decision Support to inform the Head of Financial Planning that the transfer has been approved.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: