18 October 2005
The new system of government in Jersey will include a formal process for recording and publishing decisions made by Ministers and Assistant Ministers.
The new arrangements for recording these decisions are set out in a States report published on Tuesday 18 October by the Policy and Resources Committee.
The new process will take effect in December, following the elections for Senators and Deputies and the subsequent appointment of Ministers. The first meetings of Ministers with heads of department which will lead to ministerial decisions being made are likely to take place soon after.
The system will make the process of recording government decision-making simpler and more transparent, and will be much more accessible to the public.
For all those decisions which are open to the public, (ie, part (a) decisions as described in the States Code of Practice on Public Access to Official Information) the decision and the supporting paper which relates to it will be published on the States website, www.gov.je.
Senator Frank Walker, President of Policy and Resources, said: ‘The Policy and Resources Committee is pleased that the new system will improve the accessibility of information for members of the public, States members, Scrutiny Panels and the media. This is one of the many welcome improvements we shall see as the result of moving to ministerial government.’
The new recording process has been piloted in States departments over the last couple of years: Education Sport and Culture; Housing and Privileges and Procedures have all helped to develop the framework for recording these decisions.
Senator Walker added: ‘The new arrangements should meet the demands of both the executive and scrutiny functions in the new system of government, allowing for ease of use, and at the same time meeting the prime obligation to provide a proper record of ministerial decisions.’
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