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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (12.02.07) to approve budget transfers to the Day Surgery Unit project.

Subject:	DAY SURGERY UNIT
Decision Reference:	MD-TR-2007-0012	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:		RF/22/09/02/07
Written Report – Title	DAY SURGERY UNIT - BUDGET TRANSFERS	Written report - author		Ray Foster – Assistant Director Finance and Strategy
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following budget transfers to the Day Surgery Unit project: · £500,000 from the Capital Reserve (in respect of the completed Overdale project) and £88,226 from the completed Cremator Replacement; · £250,000 from the Health and Social Services Department’s 2007 Minor Capital allocation, to upgrade the existing Day Surgery Theatre.
Reason(s) for decision: The budget transfers from the Overdale and Cremator Replacement projects were agreed in principle when approval was given to accept the lowest tender for the Day Surgery Unit. The delay in actioning the transfers was due to finalising the accounts for those projects, both of which have been completed within budget. The transfer of funds from the Health and Social Services Department’s 2007 Minor Capital allocation will enable the upgrade to the existing Day Surgery Theatre to be undertaken economically and without delay within the existing contract.
Action required Inform Health Department Officers. Treasury to action the necessary budget transfers.
Signature: (Minister / Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 12th February 2007

Day Surgery Unit - Budget transfers

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

day surgery unit - budget transfers

1. Purpose of Report

1.1. The Minister is asked to approve budget transfers required to complete the proposed works to the new Day Surgery Unit at the General Hospital.

2. Background

2.1. The former Finance and Economics Committee, at its meeting of 11 August 2005, agreed a funding strategy for an enhanced scheme to extend the Day Surgery Unit.

2.2. The Committee agreed in principle to provide £500,000 from the capital reserve, of which £286,000 was earmarked and £214,000 retained as a provision against potential claims in respect of the Overdale project.

2.3. Two variations to the Day Surgery Unit have also been approved by the Minister for Health and Social Services, subject to funding approval. They are:

· An increase in the cost of cladding and expenditure due to stoppages affecting operations in the existing Day Surgery Unit has reduced the project contingency to an unacceptably low level. It is proposed that an underspend of £88,226 relating to the Cremator Replacement Project be transferred to the Day Surgery Unit project; and

· To bring the original project within budget the proposed upgrade of the existing Day Surgery Theatre was omitted. The Minister for Health and Social Services has identified £250,000 within that department’s 2007 Minor Capital allocation to undertake the works. The work will be undertaken as a variation to the existing contract, which is a more cost and time effect approach than undertaking a separate contract. The Minister is asked to approve the necessary budget transfer.

3. Comments

3.1. The final account for the Overdale project has been completed within the anticipated budget and the full £500,000 is available to be transferred from the Capital Reserve, as previously agreed in principle by the former Finance and Economics Committee.

3.2. The potential Cremator project underspend was identified in August 2005 when the Day Surgery Unit tenders were considered, but the final invoices for that project were not received until July 2006. No request for this balance to be transferred to the Day Surgery Unit project was tabled to the Minister until it was ascertained that it would not be required to support potential claims on the Overdale project.

3.3. The Day Surgery Unit has been a complex and high risk project that has been generally well managed. It has some five months to run until practical completion and has passed through the major risk period, but there is still the potential for unforeseen events to occur and claims to be tabled from the contractor. It is, therefore, considered prudent to increase the contingency sum available.

4. Recommendation

4.1. That the Minister approves the following budget transfers to the Day Surgery Unit project:

· £500,000 from the Capital Reserve - as agreed in principle by the former Finance and Economics Committee;

· £88,226 from the completed Cremator Replacement project; and

· £250,000 from the Health and Social Services Department’s 2007 Minor Capital allocation, to upgrade the existing Day Surgery Theatre.

5. Reason for Decision

5.1. The budget transfers are necessary to provide sufficient funding to complete the Day Surgery extension scheme and upgrade the existing theatre within the existing contract.

States Treasury Corporate Finance

14 February, 2007 for Decision Meeting 12/02/2007