Budget Transfers required following introduction of Income Support.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (10/11/2008) regarding: Budget Transfers required following introduction of Income Support.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2008-0121
Decision Summary Title	Changes Required Following the Introduction of Income Support		Date of Decision Summary:	4 November 2008
Decision Summary Author	Karen Plowright Assistant Accountant Financial Planning		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title	Changes Required Following the Introduction of Income Support		Date of Written Report:	5 November 2008
Written Report Author:	Karen Plowright Assistant Accountant Financial Planning		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: To agree budget transfers that are required following the introduction of Income Support in January 2008
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following:- The budget transfer in perpetuity of £320,000 from Social Security to Housing effective from 2008.
Reason(s) for Decision: To ensure compliance with Financial Direction 3.6 and to ensure that the cash limits of Housing and Social Security are accurate following the Introduction of Income Support. It was noted that the £320,000 is included in the 2009 States Annual Business Plan.
Resource Implications: Financial: Housing Cash Limit to Increase by £320,000 in perpetuity. (It was noted that the £320,000 is included in the 2009 States Annual Business Plan.)
Action required: Treasury to advise Finance Directors of both Departments of Minister’s approval.
Signature:		Position: Senator T A Le Sueur, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed: 10th November 2008		Date of Decision 10th November 2008

Budget Transfers required following introduction of Income Support.

TREASURY & Resources ITEM NO:

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

TRANSFER BETWEEN REVENUE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE

Purpose of Report

Enable the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve the transfers following the introduction of Income Support.

Background

Financial direction 3.6 requires certain budget transfers to be approved by the Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Comments

Requests have been made for transfers between Social Security and Housing to ensure that the cash limits for both departments are accurate following the introduction of Income Support.

In all cases where the approval of a minister is required for a transfer this approval has been obtained, see attached (MD-H-2008-0069 and MD-S-2008-0070)

Recommendation

That the Minister approves the transfers as detailed on the decision template.

Reason for Decision

To ensure compliance with financial direction 3.6.

States Treasury Corporate Financial Strategy Division

5 November, 2008 for decision 10 November 2008