Budget transfers in 2017 & 2018 to Community and Constitutional Affairs from Central Contingencies: Brexit

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 19 October 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2016-0057
Decision Summary Title:	EPGDP Funding Allocation ER01 - Brexit		Date of Decision Summary:	18 October 2016
Decision Summary Author:	Finance Director, Community and Constitutional Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title:	Brexit funding for the Department for Community and Constitutional Affairs		Date of Written Report:	18 October 2016
Written Report Author:	Director, Constitutional Affairs and Justice Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Qualified Exempt: Article 35 Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011
Subject: Non recurring budget transfers of up to £184,000 in 2017 and up to £184,000 in 2018 to the Community and Constitutional Affairs revenue head of expenditure from the Economic and Productivity Growth Drawdown Provision (EPGDP) within Central Contingencies.
Decision(s): The Council of Ministers has identified funding to support work in the Island on Brexit. Following ongoing developments in the UK relating to Brexit the Minister agreed to request non recurring budget transfers of up to £184,000 in 2017 and up to £184,000 in 2018 to the Community and Constitutional Affairs revenue head of expenditure from the EPGDP within Central Contingencies.
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 17(2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that the Minister for Treasury and Resources is authorised to approve the transfer from contingency expenditure to heads of expenditure of amounts not exceeding, in total, the amount available for contingency expenditure in a financial year. A business case (ER01) detailing how government may need to respond to Brexit has been reviewed by the EPGDP Officer Group and was supported politically by the Economic Policy Political Oversight Group. The Council of Ministers received a report regarding the work of the Sub-Group on Brexit at its meeting of 7 September 2016. The Minister for Treasury and Resources is requested to allocate up to £184,000 in 2017 and up to £184,000 in 2018 to the Community and Constitutional Affairs revenue head of expenditure from EPGDP within Central Contingencies.
Resource Implications: The Community and Constitutional Affairs revenue head of expenditure to increase by up to £184,000 in 2017 and up to £184,000 in 2018 and 3 fte. The EPGDP within Central Contingences will decrease by the same amounts. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States in the Medium Term Financial Plan.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to advise the Finance Director, Community and Constitutional Affairs once the transfers have been approved by the Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):