Release of Consulation Paper 'Managing Migration'.

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A decision made (11/12/2007) regarding: Release of Consulation Paper 'Managing Migration'.

Decision Reference: MD-C-2007-0067
Decision Summary Title :	Release of Consultation Paper : “Managing Migration: New Mechanisms, Part 1, The Population Register and Jersey Names and Address Index”		Date of Decision Summary:	7th December 2007
Decision Summary Author:	Melanie Cavey		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 :	“Managing Migration: New Mechanisms, Part 1, The Population Register and Jersey Names and Address Index”		Date of Written Report:	21 November 2007
Written Report Author:	Paul Bradbury		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Managing Migration: New Mechanisms, Part 1, The Population Register and Jersey Names and Address Index.
Decision(s): The Chief Minister, acting on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, agreed that the white paper produced by the Migration Advisory Group and entitled, ‘Managing Migration: New Mechanisms, Part 1, The Population Register and Jersey Names and Address Index’ should be presented to the States as an ‘R’ on 12th December 2007. The Chief Minister further agreed that the public should be consulted on the above report for a period of 9 weeks, ending on 15th February 2008.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Migration Policy was approved by the States in 2005. This has been followed by the establishment of the Migration Advisory Group, the formation of the Population Office and the development of a single regime to manage housing consent and business licensing. Work has progressed on developing the legislation structure and processes required to implement the Migration Policy. The Migration Policy referred to the potential of sharing of basic non-sensitive information to assist with the streamlining of government systems and processes. The Migration Advisory Group believes that this is an important principle and wishes to create the circumstances under which basic, non-sensitive, name and address information can be shared amongst other States departments for the purposes of a more efficient administration. With this in mind, in July 2007, the Migration Advisory Group agreed to adopt a revised approach to this work and include the development of a Names and Address Register (the Jersey Names and Address Index) to be shared by States departments. The main objectives of the project therefore became: the creation of a Jersey Names and Address Index; and the development of a regime to enable the implementation and operation of all aspects of the Migration Policy. In October 2007, the Migration Advisory Group considered the implications of this approach on the project timescales and agreed the way forward as set out below. The Proposal The proposal is set out in the attached consultation document (to be lodged), but broadly includes: A new law to establish the Jersey Names and Address Index, setting out its purpose, who will be provided with access, how it will be created, how information will be maintained and how the information will be kept secure. The development the Migration Policy in two parts: Part 1: dealing with the simple registration process that Islanders and newcomers will complete. Part 2: dealing with the rules covering the residential status of people and their properties, and the ability of businesses to operate and employ staff. As the creation of a shared names and address index is an important principle, it is proposed that, after the consultation process, the States is asked to approve this development through a report and proposition. The Approach Work is taking place on the development of the migration policy under two ‘workstreams’: Workstream 1: the development of the legislation structure required to implement the migration policy; Workstream 2: the development of the new processes, systems and organisational structures required to implement the new regime. Work has begun on both workstreams and the attached consultation paper sets out the current thinking that has emerged from this work. More detailed development of both the legislation and systems aspects is required and an outline programme is included within the Consultation Document as: Migration Law (Part 1) and Jersey Names Index Law Consultation - Dec – Feb 2007 States debate (Index) - Apr 2008 Lodge Laws - Jul 2008 Migration Law (Part 2) Consultation - July 2008 Lodge Law - Feb 2009 It is the intention that the Population Register will be in place by the end of 2009. The Council of Ministers approved the lodging of the attached consultation document at its meeting on 29th November 2007.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications in lodging this consultation document.
Action required: Population Officer Officers to send the Consultation Paper to the Greffier of the States and ask him to lodge it ‘au Greffe’ and present it to the States as an “R” on 12th December 2007.
Signature:		Position: Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):