Freedom of Information Board: Budget transfer from central reserve to establish board

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

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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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 18 May 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2012-0050
Decision Summary Title:	Budget transfer from Central Reserve to Chief Minister’s Department revenue to establish Freedom of Information Programme Board		Date of Decision Summary:	8th May 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Finance Director– Corporate Group		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Budget transfer from Central Reserve to Chief Minister’s Department revenue to establish Freedom of Information Programme Board		Date of Written Report:	8th May 2012
Written Report Author:	Finance Director – Corporate Group		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Budget transfer from Central Reserve to the Chief Minister’s revenue head of expenditure in 2012 to establish a programme board to develop implementation plans for the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.
Decision(s): The Deputy Chief Minister agreed to accept a budget transfer in 2012 of £500,000 from the Central Reserve to the Chief Minister’s revenue head of expenditure to provide funds to develop implementation plans for the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 2(6) of the Public Finances (Transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure. Financial Direction 3.6 states that departments wanting to transfer funds between heads of expenditure must obtain the approval of their Minister.
Resource Implications: The Central Reserve to decrease by £500,000 in 2012 and the Chief Minister’s revenue head of expenditure to increase by an identical amount. This decision does not change that total amount of expenditure approved by the States for 2012.
Action required: Project and Research Officer to inform the following that the decision has been made in order to implement: Head of Decision Support (Treasury and Resources) Finance Director – Corporate Group Director – Financial Planning and Performance Acting Chief Executive to recruit project manager to oversee delivery of FOI.
Signature:		Position: Senator B.I. Le Marquand Deputy Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: