Planning and Environment: Ministerial Advisory Groups: Review

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 23 January 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2012-0004
Decision Summary Title	Review of Ministerial Advisory Groups		Date of Decision Summary:	20.01.2012
Decision Summary Author:	Chief Officer Department of the Environment – A Scate		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:	Chief Officer Department of the Environment – A Scate
Written Report Title	N/A		Date of Written Report:	N/A
Written Report Author:	N/A		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	N/A
Subject: Review of Ministerial Advisory Groups
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment has decided to a) review the current roles , need and purpose of the following Ministerial advisory groups which are currently in operation, with a view of reducing the administrative burden on the department and to ensure that the groups in operation are required in order for the department to deliver upon its medium term work plan to 2014 1. Jersey Architecture Commission (JAC) 2. Ministerial Listings Advisory Group (MRLAG) 3. Renewable Energy Commission 4. Jersey Energy Trust (JET) 5. Advisory Group on Environmental Sustainability (AGES) 6. Jersey Environment Forum (JEF) 7. Ecology Trust Fund (ETF) 8. Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel 9. Ramsar Management Authority 10. Island Plan Affordable Housing Steering Group 11. Energy Policy Political Steering Group 12. Waterfront Design Group (WDG) 13. Air quality political steering group 14. Energy Policy Industry Steering Group and, b) To instruct the Chief Officer, Department of the Environment to produce a review paper on these groups to inform any future decisions.
Reason(s) for Decision: There are currently thirteen Ministerial advisory groups operating to advise the Minister on matters within the Department of the Environment. It is considered that, in line with the Comprehensive Spending Review and with the aim of reducing bureaucracy within the Public Service, that these groups are assessed in order to ascertain whether they are still required to deliver against the Departments medium term work plan to 2014, or whether alternative arrangements for external advice need to be considered.
Resource Implications: A review of these groups could free up resource of officer time in administration.
Action required: 1. That a paper be produced which provides and assessment of each group which can be used as the basis for future decision making in this area.
Signature: Deputy R.C.Duhamel		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision