Criminal Offences Conviscation Fund: Grant to Freedom for Life Ministries (P.123/2014)

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 12 May 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2015-0030
Decision Summary Title:	Application of COCF Funding for a Grant to the Freedom for Life Ministries in 2015		Date of Decision Summary:	27 April 2015
Decision Summary Author:	Finance Director Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Grant to the Freedom for Life Ministries from the COCF – Drawdown of Funds in 2015		Date of Written Report:	27 April 2015
Written Report Author:	Finance Director Home Affairs		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: The financial transaction required to facilitate the transfer of funds from the COCF to the Home Affairs Department for a grant to the Freedom for Life Ministries as approved in P123/2014.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to seek the approval of the Treasurer to use the income of £200,000 received from the COCF to provide a grant to the Freedom for Life Ministries.
Reason(s) for Decision: An application for funding from the COCF has been approved to provide a grant to the Freedom for Life Ministries in order to facilitate the refurbishment of the Life Centre drop-in facility. Article 19(1)(a) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that if, during a financial year, the Minister is satisfied that the income of a States funded body is likely to exceed its estimated income, the Minister may authorise the body to withdraw from the consolidated fund during that year an amount not exceeding the likely excess of income.
Resource Implications: The 2015 HAD income target budget and the HAD revenue head of expenditure will increase by £200,000. There are no manpower implications.
Action required: Finance Director to seek the necessary approval from the Treasurer of the States.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (if different from date signed):