WW1 Centenary Anniversary Events: Funding Allocation from Central Contingency

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 24 February 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2013-0120
Decision Summary Title:	Centenary Anniversary of WW1 – revenue allocation from Central Contingency (one-off)		Date of Decision Summary:	20th February 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Financial Planning		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Centenary Anniversary of WW1 – revenue allocation from Central Contingency (one-off)		Date of Written Report:	20th February 2014
Written Report Author:	Head of Financial Planning		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Allocation of funding from Central Contingency (one-off) for the events associated with the Centenary Anniversary of WW1.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the allocation of up to £465,000, comprising of estimates of £167,000 in 2014, £92,000 in 2015, £206,000 in the period 2016 to 2018 from the Central Contingency (one-off) to various departments as required, as per Appendix 1 of the attached written report, for the events associated with the Centenary Anniversary of WW1. The funding is to be drawn down at the request of the Accounting Officers for the various departments and the budget transfers will be actioned upon approval by the Treasurer of the States by delegated decisions.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 17(2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that the Minister for Treasury and Resources is authorised to approve the transfer from contingency expenditure to heads of expenditure or insurance fund of amounts not exceeding, in total, the amount available for contingency expenditure in a financial year. On 21st February 2014, the Council of Ministers (CoM) agreed to make available from the Central Contingency for One-Off Items the funding of £465,000 which had been identified as necessary for the events associated with the Centenary Anniversary of WW1.
Resource Implications: Upon approval by the Treasurer of the States by delegated decisions, the Central Contingency (one-off) to decrease by up to £465,000, comprising of estimates of £167,000 in 2014, £92,000 in 2015, £206,000 in the period 2016 to 2018, and the revenue head of expenditure for the various departments involved to increase by identical amounts, as per Appendix 1 of the attached written report, in the corresponding years. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States for the period of the current Medium Term Financial Plan 2013 to 2015.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to notify the Head of Financial Planning and the Acting Finance Director - Corporate Group that this decision has been approved.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury & Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: