Budget Transfer: Economic and Productivity Growth Drawdown Provision to External Affairs (Brexit)

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 4 May 2017:

MINISTERIAL DECISION REFERENCE: MD-ER-2017-0015
DECISION SUMMARY TITLE: EPGDP Funding Allocation ER01 - Brexit
DECISION SUMMARY AUTHOR:	Finance Manager, Corporate Group	IS THE DECISION SUMMARY PUBLIC OR EXEMPT?		Public
REPORT TITLE: EPGDP Funding Allocation ER01 - Brexit
REPORT AUTHOR OR NAME OF PERSON GIVING REPORT: (if different from Decision Summary Author)	Finance Manager, Corporate Group	IS THE REPORT PUBLIC OR EXEMPT		Public
DECISION AND REASON FOR THE DECISION: The Minister for External Relations accepted a budget transfer of up to £604,000 in 2017 and up to £534,000 in 2018 to the Ministry of External Relations revenue head of expenditure from the Economic and Productivity Growth Drawdown Provision (EPGDP) within Central Contingencies. Article 17(2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that the Minister for Treasury and Resources is authorised to approve the transfer from contingency expenditure to heads of expenditure of amounts not exceeding, in total, the amount available for contingency expenditure in a financial year.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: The Ministry of External Relations revenue head of expenditure to increase by 5.0 FTE and up to £604,000 in 2017 and up to £534,000 in 2018 and the Economic and Productivity Growth Drawdown Provision (EPGDP) within Central Contingencies to decrease by the same amount. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States in the Medium Term Financial Plan.
ACTION REQUIRED: The Minister for External Relations is invited to sign this Ministerial Decision confirming his approval of the temporary increase of FTE’s and budget drawdowns in 2017 and 2018 and the Finance Manager, Corporate Group to be notified that this decision has been approved.
SIGNATURE: SENATOR SIR PHILIP BAILHACHE			POSITION: MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

DATE SIGNED			EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE DECISION