Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Windfall Income transfer from Treasury and Resources to Chief Minister's Department

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 2 June 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2016-0046
Decision Summary Title:	Use of additional revenue income by the Chief Minister’s Department for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme		Date of Decision Summary:	20th May 2016
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Decision Support		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title:	Use of additional revenue income by the Chief Minister’s Department for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme		Date of Written Report:	20th May 2016
Written Report Author:	Head of Decision Support		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Request to add windfall income to the Chief Minister’s Department Revenue Head of Expenditure and recognised as income in 2016.
Decision(s): The Minister is recommended to approve that the unanticipated additional income in relation to the Digital Switchover Help Scheme of £261,240 be added to the Chief Minister’s Department Revenue Head of Expenditure and recognised as income for 2016.
Reason(s) for Decision: The income was not budgeted for in the Medium Term Financial Plan as it was not known how much – if any – Digital Switchover underspend would be refunded to the States of Jersey. This decision would enable the development of a Telecoms Policy and provide funding for Digital Jersey to allow it to better deliver the ambitions set out in its Business Plan by delivering projects related to financial technology (Fintech), medical technology (Medtech) and establishing Jersey as a testbed for internet connected devices (the Internet of things). Article 19(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) 2005 states that If, during a financial year, the Minister is satisfied that the income of a States funded body which has a revenue head of expenditure for the year is likely to exceed its estimated income taken into account in approving that head of expenditure (a) the Minister may authorize the body to withdraw from the consolidated fund during that year an amount not exceeding the likely excess of income; A decision (MD-C-2016-0059) to approve the windfall income of £261,240 was signed by the Chief Minister on 20th May 2016.
Resource Implications: £261,240 income in 2016 added to the approved income budget and £261,240 to the approved revenue Head of expenditure of the Chief Minister’s Department for 2016.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to advise the Finance Officer – Treasury and Resources once this decision has been approved.
Signature:		Position: Senator A J H Maclean, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: