Commercial entites advertising on Government buildings (FOI)

Request

Currently (18/11/24) a large advertising banner for a Black Friday commercial event for a business linked to a Minister is present on a Government of Jersey owned property at a crossroads in Trinity. Is there a policy allowing commercial entities to advertise on government property and buildings, is there a charge levied and do commercial entities linked to ministers pay these charges?

​Clarification request

Please could you confirm which building you are referring to in order that we can direct your request appropriately? 

Customer clarification

I was deliberately requesting policy and if it exists the charges. However, the trigger was the use of an Ernie’s Black Friday banner, a business properly reported as a trading concern of the Health Minister Mr Tom Binet, on Howard Davis Farm facing Trinity Church.

Further clarification

I was unaware that there was an additional commercial banner at Warwick Farm, St Helier. I am aware of the rules at 

Advertising banners for events

​which precludes these sites, commercial aspects and these sizes, furthermore and not included in the FOI request, I am intrigued to see how  these clearly commercial and oversized banners achieved planning approval through the Chief Officer[Planning] option ( there has been no planning approval  through the normal route published on these sites).

Response

The “Black Friday” banners on public land at Howard Davis Farm and Warwick Farm were placed without formal agreement from the Government of Jersey.

The permission at Warwick Farm was granted by the former tenant, who does not have authority to grant permission for the erection of signage on the site.

Planning permission was not sought for the signage.  The company concerned have been advised not to place banners upon Public land in future.

The Government of Jersey does not generally allow commercial entities to advertise anywhere on public land.

There is no specific policy for advertising on government property and buildings, however, the Infrastructure and Environment Department does have a policy for advertising banners on railings and lamp posts and this information can be accessed using the following link.

Advertising banners for events  ​