Cold Weather Bonus: Discretionary payment to pensioners not in receipt of Jersey Old Age Pension

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 3 February 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2014-0012
Decision Summary Title :	DS-Discretionary CWB payments to pensioners without a JOAP		Date of Decision Summary:	28 Jan 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR CWB discretionary payment for pensioners without a JOAP		Date of Written Report:	28 Jan 2014
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Discretionary Cold Weather Bonus payment to pensioners who are not in receipt of a Jersey Old Age pension
Decision(s): The Minister decided to make a discretionary payment, matching the value of the Cold Weather Bonus (Oct 2013 to Dec 2013) to five local pensioners who would have qualified for the bonus except they are not in receipt of a Jersey Old Age Pension.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Cold Weather Bonus Regulations are due to expire in June 2014. These Regulations make the bonus available to pensioners who, among other conditions, have five years residency and are in receipt of a Jersey Old Age Pension. P115/2013 as amended set forth changes to the eligibility criteria which would allow pensioners to access the bonus if, a) They have five years continuous residency before claiming and receive a Jersey Old Age pension; Or b) Have 10 years continuous residency before making a claim The Minister noted that pensioners with 10 years residency have made a commitment to the Island and decided to pay a sum equivalent to the Cold Weather Bonus, recognising that law drafting is underway to amend the criteria for cold weather months in the Oct 2014 to April 2015 series.
Resource Implications: The Cold Weather Bonus for October 2013 through to December 2013 totalled £72.25. The department has identified 5 pensioners who would be eligible for the bonus under the new conditions and the cost of making these discretionary payments will total £361.25
Action required: Policy Principal to request the Pension Team Leader to make the necessary arrangements for payment.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):