Annual Report (R.157/2022): Executive Response.

Recommendations

Action

Target date

Responsible Officer

R1  Finalise  and  set  out  minimum requirements for annual reports and accounts for States established and States controlled entities. In doing so, consider:

• setting out different requirements depending on the nature and size

of entities

• specifying minimum requirements for reporting on performance, accountability and finances

• requiring specific disclosures of remuneration of directors and staff

• for entities required to publish financial statements:

• specifying the

accounting framework;

and

• specifying the degree of independent assurance

Accept. This is a complex piece of work (hence the longer target date), but one which we recognise the importance of in terms of accountability and transparency for the wider public sector. The work will require initial collaboration between the Treasury and Cabinet Office, followed by work with several departments. The likely stages are:

• Establish the boundary of the entities to be addressed. The most tightly drawn definition is that used by the C&AG of "States established and States controlled entities". This is likely to be adopted by the States. (by 30th June 2023)

• Identify  which  Accountable  Officer  holds  lead responsibility for the relationship with each of the bodies, and include this in the Accountable Officer appointment  letters  issued  by  the  Principal Accountable Officer. (by 30th June 2023)

• Establish which minimum requirements will apply to which bodies. This will be the most time- consuming phase. It is important   that

requirements set out are proportionate to risk,

31st March 2024

Group Director, Strategic Finance, Treasury and Exchequer

that should be provided over the financial statements; and

 for  all  entities,  setting  out  the

requirements for making the annual report and accounts public.

and the resources available to the body concerned. This  is  not  as  straightforward  as  setting  a  simple financial  threshold,  either  in  terms  of  annual expenditure or the extent of States funding. (by 31st December 2023)

• Introduce  requirements  into  the  Public  Finances Manual for relevant Accountable Officers to take steps to ensure that the bodies for which they hold a lead relationship meet the minimum standards set out. (by 31st March 2024)

• Monitor whether minimum standards set out are being met by the bodies concerned. (ongoing, will form part of Business as Usual)

It may be that this work identifies further steams, for example there may be a need to provide support to States established and  States  controlled  entities  for  them  to  meet  reporting requirements.

The target date is a target designed to drive progress, rather than a guarantee of delivery by that date. Once the process is established it should accommodate relatively easily any further additions or changes to the

group of States established and States controlled entities.

R2 Introduce a requirement for Statistics Jersey to produce an annual report.

Accept. The Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law 2018 enables Statistics Jersey to act independently to ensure the integrity of statistical  reporting.  Statistics  Jersey  is  a  professionally independent part of the wider Cabinet Office and it's financial and performance reporting is therefore within scope of the Government of Jersey's Annual Report and Accounts.

As reported previously, a 2021 Steering Group chaired by Deputy Morel set out a vision for changes to the

During 2024

Chief Statistician and Director of Statistics and Analytics, Cabinet Office

Statistics  Law  including  making  the  Chief  Statistician  a Corporation Sole. The vision was consulted on during autumn 2021; the results of the consultation have now been published Statistics  and  Census  (Jersey)  Law  2018:  Proposed

Amendments - Consultation Feedback (gov.je).

In  her  letter  to  the  Minister  for  Economic  Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, the Chief Minister asked him to complete the legislative work to preserve the independence of Statistics  Jersey'.  It  is  hoped  that  this  legislation  will  be progressed during 2023.

If legislation to give effect to the proposals in the vision document are approved by the States Assembly, then Statistics Jersey will produce an annual report in line with

the C&AG's recommendations.

R3 Set out a public ambition and timetable for  the  production  of  a  States  of  Jersey annual  sustainability  report.  In  doing  so, consider:

• the Jersey Performance

Framework and the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

recommended disclosures

• whether the sustainability report should form part of the States of Jersey Annual Report and

Accounts or be a separate report

• publishing targets alongside

actual performance and comparative data with other

Accept – by end Q2 2023 we will set out our public ambition and timetable and will consider the factors set out.

.

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Director of Delivery and Improvement, Cabinet Office

jurisdictions where this is available; and

 the degree of independent

assurance that should be

provided over the data

contained within the

sustainability report.

R4 Set out minimum requirements for sustainability reporting by States established and States controlled entities. In doing so, consider how to apply the Jersey Performance Framework and the TCFD recommended disclosures.

Accept – we will support the ALBOB work programme to develop  proportionate  minimum  requirements  for sustainability  reporting  by  States  established  and  States controlled entities

End of June 2023

Director of Delivery and Improvement, Cabinet Office

R5 Continue to improve annual reporting. In doing so, consider:

• any minimum requirements set

out by the States of Jersey

• how to improve reporting on performance, accountability (including director and staff remuneration) and finances

• how to use an appropriate framework to improve sustainability reporting; and

• other good practice identified in this report and my Good Practice

Guide.

Accept and close. This recommendation is for all entities. Actions by the States in relation to States established and States controlled entities are set out in the response to R1 of this report. Actions in relation to the States' own Annual Report and Accounts are set out in the response to R3 of this report.

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