Justice and Home Affairs: Transfer of funding for Firearms Training and additional staff costs for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 17 April 2020:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2020-0009
Decision Summary Title:	Transfer of funding from capital to fund firearms training costs and additional staff costs for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre		Date of Decision Summary:	16th April 2020
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Financial Governance		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Transfer of funding from capital to fund firearms training costs and additional staff costs for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre		Date of Written Report:	16th April 2020
Written Report Author:	Head of Financial Governance		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Transfer of funding from Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Minor Capital Head of Expenditure (DH0MC10006) to JHA Revenue Head of Expenditure to fund firearms training and additional staff costs for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in 2020.
Decision(s): The Minister approved a non-recurring budget transfer in 2020 of up to £260,000 to JHA Revenue Head of Expenditure from JHA Minor Capital Head of Expenditure (DH0MC10006) to fund firearms training and additional staff costs for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in 2020.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 18(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that a specified amount appropriated for one head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure that is set out in the government plan. Article 18(4) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that the Minister shall give the States Assembly at least 4 weeks’ notice before an amount is transferred under paragraph (1)(a). P.28/2020 Draft Public Finances (Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 202-, approved by the States Assembly on 24th March 2020, agreed a number of temporary modifications to the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 one of which stated; to remove the requirement in Article 18 that if the Minister proposes to give a direction to re-allocate a head of expenditure, the Minister gives the States at least 4 weeks’ notice. Article 18(5) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that before giving notice under paragraph (4), the Minister shall, in relation to any States funded body, consult the Minister responsible for that body. The relevant Minister has been consulted and has agreed to the transfer of funds.
Resource Implications: The JHA revenue head of expenditure will increase by up to £260,000 and the JHA Minor Capital head of expenditure (DH0MC10006) will decrease by up to £260,000. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States in the Government Plan for 2020-23.
Action required: The Head of Financial Governance to notify the Head of Finance Business Partnering for JHA once the decision has been signed.
Signature:		Position: Deputy S J Pinel, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: