College Gardens Assisted Home Ownership Scheme: Transfer to Andium Homes Ltd.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 13 November 2019

MINISTERIAL DECISION REFERENCE: MD-H-2019-0019
Decision Date: 5th November 2019
DECISION SUMMARY TITLE: College Gardens assisted home ownership scheme – transfer to Andium Homes Ltd.
DECISION SUMMARY AUTHOR:	Policy Principal Strategic Policy, Performance and Population	IS THE DECISION SUMMARY PUBLIC OR EXEMPT? (if exempt state the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
REPORT TITLE: College Gardens assisted home ownership scheme – transfer to Andium Homes Ltd.
REPORT AUTHOR OR NAME OF PERSON GIVING REPORT: (if different from Decision Summary Author)	Policy Principal Strategic Policy, Performance and Population	IS THE REPORT PUBLIC OR EXEMPT (if exempt state the relevant article/paragraph of the Freedom of Information Law/Regulations)		Public
DECISION AND REASON FOR THE DECISION: The Minister approved the transfer of the Public’s rights and liabilities in respect of the College Gardens assisted home ownership scheme, and the administration of the scheme, to Andium Homes Ltd. The Minister has made the decision to facilitate the efficient management and administration of properties sold through the assisted home ownership scheme.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: The transfer of the assisted home ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd. is neutral to the Treasury and Exchequer. The total value of the 40 bonds will be transferred to Andium Homes for nil consideration on the basis that the bonds will remain with the properties in perpetuity.
ACTION REQUIRED: Policy Principal to inform the Treasury and Exchequer and Andium Homes Ltd. of the Minister’s decision.
SIGNATURE:			POSITION: Senator Sam Mézec Minister for Children and Housing
DATE SIGNED:			EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE DECISION:

College Gardens Assisted Home Ownership[ Scheme: Transfer to Andium Homes Ltd.

Transfer of College Garden assisted ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd.

Introduction

1.1. This report sets out a proposal to transfer the College Gardens assisted home ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd.

Background

2.1. 40 units of accommodation have been made available at College Gardens, St. Helier, under an assisted home ownership scheme. The scheme enables eligible purchasers to buy a share at a 10% discount to market value and enter into a bond agreement with the Government of Jersey, which records the terms and conditions applicable to the ownership of the share. Any subsequent sales of the share must be to another eligible purchaser through the Affordable Housing Gateway.

2.2. The proposed transfer of responsibility for the scheme to Andium Homes Ltd. is intended to ensure appropriate administration arrangements exist for clients who wish to sell and purchase the assisted ownership properties. Andium Homes has a dedicated property sales team and can provide support to clients who are selling their property (marketing, viewings, liaison with lawyers etc.).

2.3. The proposed transfer of the assisted home ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd. is consistent with the recommendation of the ‘Review of Access to Social Housing’ which was published in July 2019. The review stated that the administration and management of assisted home ownership schemes should be standalone to the Affordable Housing Gateway.

2.4. The assisted home ownership scheme will continue to operate on the same terms and conditions, and all properties will be sold to eligible persons registered on Band 5 of the Affordable Housing Gateway.

Resource implications

3.1. The transfer of the assisted home ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd. is neutral to the Treasury and Exchequer. The total value of the 40 bonds will be transferred to Andium Homes for nil consideration on the basis that the bonds will remain with the properties in perpetuity.

3.2. If any of the properties to fall outside of the scheme criteria in the future, Andium Homes would repay the full value of the bond to the Government of Jersey at that specific time. There would be administrative costs for Andium Homes associated with the legal costs of re-assigning the bonds.

Recommendation

4.1. The Minister for Children and Housing is asked to approve the transfer of the College Gardens assisted home ownership scheme to Andium Homes Ltd.