Fisheries Support Scheme: Allocation of Reserve Funding

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 5 June 2020

Decision reference: MD-TR-2020-0069
Decision Summary Title:	Allocation of Reserve Funding to OCE for the Fisheries Support Scheme		Date of Decision Summary:	3rd June 2020
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Investment Appraisal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Allocation of Reserve Funding to OCE for the Fisheries Support Scheme		Date of Written Report:	3rd June 2020
Written Report Author:	Head of Investment Appraisal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: The allocation of up to £233,400 in 2020 from the General Reserve to OCE (Office of the Chief Executive) for the Fisheries Support Scheme
Decision(s): The Minister approved the allocation of up to £233,400 in 2020 from the General Reserve to OCE (Office of the Chief Executive) for the Fisheries Support Scheme in June and July subject to the points raised by the Treasurer in his recommendation.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 15(3) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that the approval by the States of a government plan authorises the Minister to direct how an approved appropriation for a reserve head of expenditure in the plan may be spent (including on another head of expenditure) in the first financial year covered by the plan. The current Contingency Allocation Policy (published as R.23/2020) sets the requirement for all allocations from contingency to be considered by the Investment Appraisal Board, Principal Accountable Officer and States Treasurer prior to submission to the Minister for approval, however it also states that ‘Where a request is made for £100,000 or less, or where the Minister is satisfied that there is an urgent need to provide funding in the public interest, an allocation may be made by the Minister on the recommendation of the Treasurer.’ A business case has been received and reviewed by the Investment Appraisal Team. Further to this review, the Treasurer recommends this allocation to the Minister for approval on the basis of an allocation of £233,400 subject to: - Funds being distributed monthly - Appropriate governance and scheme conditions being implemented by OCE including a mechanism for targeting support such as a detriment declaration or other assessment of financial need - A review being conducted by OCE before the end of July to determine whether any further support is required beyond July and what form it should take. The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture and the Minister for the Environment have approved the Scheme.
Resource Implications: The General Reserve head of expenditure to decrease by up to £233,400 and the OCE head of expenditure to increase by the identical amount in 2020.
Action required: The Head of Financial Governance to advise the Head of Investment Appraisal and the Head of Finance Business Partnering of OCE that this decision is approved.
Signature:		Position: Deputy S J Pinel Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: