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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 2 December 2016:

MINISTERIAL DECISION REFERENCE: MD-HA-2016-0074
DECISION SUMMARY TITLE: Approved Premises – St Brelade Parish Hall
DECISION SUMMARY AUTHOR:	Policy Officer, Community and Constitutional Affairs	IS THE DECISION SUMMARY PUBLIC OR EXEMPT? (if exempt state clause from Code of Practice booklet and from 1st January 2015 stating the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
REPORT TITLE: Application for Approved Premises
REPORT AUTHOR OR NAME OF PERSON GIVING REPORT: (if different from Decision Summary Author)	Policy Officer, Community and Constitutional Affairs	IS THE REPORT PUBLIC OR EXEMPT (if exempt state clause from Code of Practice booklet and from 1st January 2015 stating the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
DECISION AND REASON FOR THE DECISION: The Minister for Home Affairs gave authority for the Committee Room, main Parish Hall, Parish Hall annexe and the Connétable’s Office to be approved for a single civil marriage on 31st December 2016 under Article 2 of the Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2002. This is further to an application made by the Connétable of St Brelade. Applications for approved premises are usually made to the Connétable of the Parish in which the premises are situated. However, where the applicant is the Connétable of the Parish, the Connétable must refer the application to the Minister, who must give authority for the approval of the premises and may make the approval subject to such conditions as are considered reasonable.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: None as a result of this decision.
ACTION REQUIRED: Policy Officer to inform the Superintendent Registrar of the decision.
SIGNATURE:			POSITION: Connétable Deidre Mezbourian Assistant Minister for Home Affairs
DATE SIGNED:			EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE DECISION:

St. Brelade's Parish Hall - Committee Room: Approval for Use for a Single Civil Marriage

Report for the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs

Application by the Connétable of St Brelade for approval of rooms at the Parish Hall as approved premises for a single civil marriage

The Connétable of St Brelade has applied for the Committee Room, the Parish Hall, the Parish Hall annexe and the Connétable’s Office to be approved for the celebration of a single civil marriage on 31st December 2016.

Applications for ‘approved premises’ are usually made to the Connétable of the Parish in which the premises are located. However, Article 8 of the Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2002 provides that, where the Connétable is the applicant for an approval, he or she must refer the application to the Minister for Home Affairs and may grant the approval only with the authority of the Minister and upon such terms and subject to such further conditions as the Minister considers reasonable.

The applicant has confirmed that the Parish will comply with the conditions attached to the approval of the premises. The conditions are set out in Schedule 1 of the Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2002.

A Policy Officer from the Department for Community and Constitutional Affairs and the Superintendent Registrar have visited the Parish Hall and do not see a requirement for any further conditions to be imposed.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Assistant Minister gives authority for the approval of the Committee Room, the Parish Hall, the Parish Hall annexe and the Connétable’s Office for the celebration of a single civil marriage on 31st December 2016 and that the Policy Officer advises the Superintendent Registrar of this decision.

Policy Officer

Community and Constitutional Affairs

28 November 2016