Chief Minister's Department: Delegation of Functions

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 29 June 2018:

MINISTERIAL DECISION REFERENCE: MD-C-2018-0110
DECISION SUMMARY TITLE: Chief Minister’s Department Delegated Authority – June 2018
DECISION SUMMARY AUTHOR:	Finance Director	IS THE DECISION SUMMARY PUBLIC OR EXEMPT?		Public
REPORT TITLE: Chief Minister’s Department Delegated Authority – June 2018
REPORT AUTHOR OR NAME OF PERSON GIVING REPORT:	Finance Director	IS THE REPORT PUBLIC OR EXEMPT?		Public
DECISION AND REASON FOR THE DECISION: The Chief Minister, acting in accordance with Article 28 of the States of Jersey Law 2005, agreed to delegate to the Accountable Officer of the Chief Minister’s Department his functions under Article 26(1)(c) of the same Law and previously delegated pursuant to R.92/2015, the awarding of a contract or the entering into an equivalent instrument that creates a financial liability of up to £1 million limited to the period between June 2018 and December 2019. Article 28 of the States of Jersey Law 2005 permits a Minister to delegate, wholly or partly, functions to an Assistant Minister or an officer. The Chief Minister wishes to delegate to the Accountable Officer of the Chief Minister’s Department his functions under Article 26(1)(c) of the States of Jersey Law 2005: (c) the power to – (i) enter into agreements for any purpose of his or her office, (ii) acquire, hold and dispose of movable property, (iii) do any other thing which the Minister can do by virtue of his or her office, and (iv) do anything reasonably necessary or expedient for or incidental to any of the matters referred to in the foregoing clauses. The scope of the delegation is limited to the signing of corporate contracts or the entering into an equivalent instrument that creates a financial liability of up to £1 million only for the period between June 2018 and December 2019. The delegation will reduce undue administrative burden on the Chief Minister.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: There are no resource implications arising from this Ministerial Decision.
ACTION REQUIRED: Policy and Research Officer to inform the Accountable Officer of the Chief Minister’s Department when the ministerial decision has been agreed so that the contract may be signed.
SIGNATURE:			POSITION: Senator John Le Fondre, Chief Minister
DATE SIGNED:			EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE DECISION: