Independent Jersey Care Inquiry Report: Implementation of Recommendations

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 20 October 2017:

MINISTERIAL DECISION REFERENCE: MD-C-2017-0134
DECISION SUMMARY TITLE: Response to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry
DECISION SUMMARY AUTHOR:	Director Children’s Policy, Community and Constitutional Affairs	IS THE DECISION SUMMARY PUBLIC OR EXEMPT? (if exempt state the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
REPORT TITLE: Response to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry
REPORT AUTHOR OR NAME OF PERSON GIVING REPORT: (if different from Decision Summary Author)	Director Children’s Policy, Community and Constitutional Affairs	IS THE REPORT PUBLIC OR EXEMPT (if exempt state the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
DECISION AND REASON FOR THE DECISION: The Chief Minister approved for lodging ‘au Greffe’ a Proposition requesting the States Assembly to endorse the Council of Ministers’ response to the Final Report of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (R.59/2017).
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: The investment associated with this initial response to the Independent Care Inquiry Report totals £2,895,897 by the end of the current MTFP in 2019. This includes one-off costs in 2017 (£165,091), 2018 (£1,488,643) and 2019 (£1,242,163). There is £1,149,663 recurring expenditure, which would continue each year from 2020 and so will need to be considered as a growth item as part of developing the next MTFP. There are also an estimated additional 18.4 permanent FTE associated with the delivery of the initiatives.
ACTION REQUIRED: The Director of Children’s Policy to inform the Greffier of the States of this Ministerial Decision and request that the Proposition be lodged ‘au Greffe’ on 31st October 2017 for debate by the States Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
SIGNATURE:			POSITION: Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister
DATE SIGNED:			EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE DECISION: Tuesday 31st October 2017