Public Finances (Accounting Standards) (Jersey) Order 2011

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 27 February 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2012-0020
Decision Summary Title:	2011 States of Jersey Accounting Standards		Date of Decision Summary:	10 February 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Director of Financial Planning and Performance		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Jersey Financial Reporting Manual		Date of Written Report:	10 February 2012
Written Report Author:	Manager - Financial Accounting and Control		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: States of Jersey Accounting Standards.
Decision(s): The Minister decided to adopt the Accounting Standards Policy (appendix 1 in the attached report). The Minister decided to sign the Public Finances (Accounting Standards) (Jersey) Order 2011 adopting the Jersey Financial Reporting Manual (JFReM), which sets the GAAP-based accounting standards to be adopted in the preparation of the States of Jersey Financial Statements. The Minister decided to approve the list of Accounting Officers excepted from the definition of Directors as set out in section 6.3.4 of the JFReM (appendix 2 in the attached report).
Reason(s) for Decision: A Strategic Objective in the States Strategic Plan 2009 to 2014 is to ‘Deliver clear and informative accounts in line with recommended commercial practice (GAAP) to ensure that financial and business planning decisions can be based on full costs and achieve best value’. Following the Accounting Standards policy set in MD-2010-0147, the JFReM has been updated in line with the the equivalent UK FReM for the year ended March 2009. To set by Order the revised Accounting policies and standards to be followed by the States in the production of the States of Jersey Accounts, and to satisfy the requirements of The Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: Business Manager to forward the signed and sealed Order to the States Greffe for subsequent presentation to the States Assembly.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: