Dormant Bank Accounts (Distribution of Fund Money) (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2025

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 11 April 2025:

Decision Reference: MD-ER-2025-260		Public
Subject: Order: Dormant Bank Accounts (Distribution of Fund Money)(Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2025
Report Title: Order: Dormant Bank Accounts (Distribution of Fund Money)(Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2025		Public
Decision(s): The Minister for External Relations decided to sign the Order which amends the Dormant Bank Accounts (Distribution of Fund Money)(Jersey) Order 2020 to permit the distribution of moneys from the Jersey Reclaim Fund on a multi-year basis and also in respect of match funding.
Reason for Decision(s): It is considered that it would be beneficial for the sector, for individual charitable entities, and indeed for the independent organisation delivering the grants, if funding could be given on a multi-year basis (subject to appropriate periodic review). It allows charities to focus on a longer-term time horizon rather than the short-term, provides a degree of stability, and means less time is spent making repeat grant applications and more time is therefore available for the core service work, increasing the impact of the funding for the local community. Any decision will be subject to advice from the Treasury Minister as is currently required. The matching of funding (where the donation of a private or corporate donor is matched by, in this case, money from the Reclaim Fund) has been shown in other jurisdictions (such as the UK) to stimulate and incentivise private donations and of course doubles the money available for charitable purposes. This is attractive for the Reclaim Fund also as the money is not only being used for charitable purposes but is being doubled by attracting other funding. Any provision for match funding would be in addition to other distributions and subject to advice from the Treasury Minister as is currently required.
Resource Implications: There are no new financial and/or resources implications.
Action Required: Department to take necessary action.
Signature:	Signed By: Minister for External Relations
Date Signed:	Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):