Civil Weddings and Civil Partnerships: Approved Premises

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 22 November 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2017-0080
Decision Summary Title :	Town Hall Approval for Premises Licence for Marriage/CP		Date of Decision Summary:	10 November 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Superintendent Registrar		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 :	Town Hall Approval for Premises Licence for Marriage/CP		Date of Written Report:	30 October 2017
Written Report Author:	Superintendent Registrar		Written Report: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Approval of rooms at the Town Hall and Old Magistrate’s Court for civil weddings and civil partnerships under the Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2002 and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Order 2012 respectively.
Decision(s): The Assistant Minister for Home Affairs gave authority for the rooms in the Town Hall and the Old Magistrate’s Court for civil weddings and civil partnerships under the Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2002 and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2012 respectively.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Assembly Room, Committee Room and Old Magistrate’s Court have previously been approved for the celebration of civil weddings and civil partnerships. Applications for approved premises status 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 her authority for the approval of the premises and may make the approval subject to such conditions as she considers reasonable.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: The Executive Officer, Community and Constitutional Affairs to inform the Superintendent Registrar of the decision.
Signature:		Position: Assistant Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):