Government of Jersey

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 20 November 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2013-0068
Decision Summary Title :	Increase in fees		Date of Decision Summary:	11 November 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		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 :	Proposed increase to fees 2014		Date of Written Report:	22 October 2013
Written Report Author:	Superintendent Registrar		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Increase in fees payable for the arrangement of civil and non-Anglican weddings and civil partnerships.
Decision(s): The Minister: approved the increase in fees payable for the arrangement of civil and non-Anglican weddings and civil partnerships as detailed in the accompanying report and spreadsheet, subject to the approval of the Treasurer of the States; requested the Superintendent Registrar to liaise with the Law Draftsman over the drafting of the relevant Order to give effect to the fee increase.
Reason(s) for Decision: For the past six years the Superintendent Registrar has sought a triennial increase in the fees charged, rather than increase fees annually by the cost of living. The triennial increases produce figures that are manageable monetary units i.e. increases of £5 or £10, mindful that the Office only has the facility to accept cash or cheques.
Resource Implications: None other than those detailed in the accompanying report and spreadsheet.
Actions required: The Finance Director to seek approval of the Treasurer of the States. The Superintendent Registrar to request that the Law Draftsman prepares the relevant Order to give effect to the fee increase.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Civil and Non-Anglican Weddings - Civil Partnerships: Fees: Increase: Law Drafting Instructions

Marriage and Civil Status (Forms, Registration and Fees) Order 2002 and the Civil Partnership (Forms, Registration and Fees) Order 2012

Proposed increases to fees 2014

Schedule 6 and Schedule 3 of the respective orders prescribe the fees paid to the Office of the Superintendent Registrar and to the Parish Registrars for the arrangement of civil and non-Anglican weddings and civil partnerships in the Island. The fees associated with weddings were last increased with effect from 1 January 2011 and equivalent fees for civil partnerships were introduced in 2012 when the Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law was enacted.

For the past 6 years the Office of the Superintendent has sought a triennial increase in the fees charged rather than seek an annual cost-of-living increase. These triennial increases in fees not only help her balance the triennial increase in the rent for the Register Office premises at 10 Royal Square but also produce figures that are manageable monetary units (increases of £5 or £10). For 2014 the Superintendent Registrar has proposed an increase to the majority of the fees in the schedule. These include the first increase in the fee paid to the delegates of the Superintendent Registrar (for celebrating weddings / civil partnerships) since delegates were introduced to the service in 2002.

Certificate fee

The registration service is prey to the vagaries of the demand for civil ceremonies in the Island and as a result its income is directly affected by external factors beyond its control or influence. It needs to strike a balance in seeking to charge fees which will cover the costs incurred in providing the service, including the principle costs of the premises and staff, with the need to provide a statutory service for the people of the Island affordable to all.

The cost of a certificate (a certified extract of an entry in a register) was increased from £10 to £20 in March 2009. There has been an increased demand for copies of birth and marriage certificates in 2013 as the result of the legislation newly introduced in 2013 (most particularly the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012). In the light of the proposed increases in the fees for arranging ceremonies in 2014, it seems fairer to the public to retain the fee for a certificate at £20 for another year with a view to increase that particular fee in 2015.

Sue Groves

Superintendent Registrar

22 October 2013