Income Support in the Private Rented Sector: Options

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 3 May 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2013-0040
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Options for Income Support in the Private Rented Sector		Date of Decision Summary:	1 May 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Policy and Strategy Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - Options for Income Support in the Private Rented Sector		Date of Written Report:	1 May 2013
Written Report Author:	Policy and Strategy Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Options for Income Support in the Private Rented Sector
Decision(s): The Minister decided to present a report to the States entitled “Options for Income Support in the Private Rented Sector”
Reason(s) for Decision: Following a major review (the Housing Transformation Programme), the Council of Ministers has lodged P.33: The Reform of Social Housing, which proposes changes to rental policy for tenants living in social rented accommodation. As a consequence, it is necessary to examine the support available to income support tenants living in the private rented sector who currently receive the same level of support as social rented tenants. The report examines a number of options and makes a recommendation for the future level of support available to private sector tenants under the income support scheme.
Resource Implications: The full year cost of the recommended option is £1 million. The Medium Term Financial Plan includes additional funding for private sector tenants under the income support scheme from 2014, £750,000 in 2014 and £1 million recurring from 2015, in the Central Growth Allocation. The allocation of Central Growth will be agreed by the States as part of the 2014 Budget in December 2013.
Action required: Policy and Strategy Director to request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the report to be presented to the States as soon as practicable.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):