Active Card Charges for July 2020

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 25 June 2020

Decision Reference: MD-E-2020-0022
Decision Summary title	Active Card charges for July 2020	Date of Decision Summary	22/06/2020
Decision Summary author	Private Secretary	Decision Summary: Public or exempt?	Public
Type of report: Oral or Written?	Written	Person giving Oral Report	n/a
Written Report title	Active Card charges for July 2020	Date of Written Report	19/06/2020
Written Report author	Head of Operations, Sports Division	Written Report: Public or exempt?	Exempt (QE Art 33)
Subject: Active Card charges for July 2020
Decision: The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture (EDTSC) with responsibility for Sport decided to reduce the monthly charge for Active Card membership to 25% of the usual fee for July 2020.
Reasons for Decision: Government sports centres including Fort Regent, Les Quennevais and Springfield, were closed as a result of the Covid-19 health restrictions. They have now reopened but with reduced hours and facilities. Changing rooms, showers and saunas, for example, remain closed. A number of staff have been redeployed to other areas of the Government to assist with the pandemic responses and this continues to have an impact. In view of the reduced service, the Assistant Minister decided it would be fair and reasonable to only charge 25% of the usual Active Card membership for the month of July 2020. This will be kept under review as Jersey progresses through the levels of the Safe Exit Framework.
Resource Implications: The income for the Sport Division will be reduced for the month of July. Only 25% of the usual direct debit fees of circa £75,000 will be collected through the direct debits. This means there will be a reduction in the predicted income of circa £56,000.
Action required: The Private Secretary was instructed to notify the Director General of the Growth, Housing and Environment Department of this decision so that the budget holder can make the necessary. The Active Card team to communicate with members and make the necessary arrangements.
Signature: Senator Steve Pallett		Position: Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Date signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed)