Inter-Island Passenger Ferry Service: Manche-Iles Express: Limited Underwriting

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A decision made 9 April 2018:

Decision Reference: MD-E-2018-0024
Decision Summary Title :	Inter-Island Passenger Ferry Service		Date of Decision Summary:	7th April 2018
Decision Summary Author:	Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Inter-Island Passenger Ferry Service		Date of Written Report:	7th April 2018
Written Report Author:	Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Exempt QE Article 35
Subject: Inter-Island Passenger Ferry Service
Decision(s): Further to the recent tender exercise, the Minister, in conjunction with the Committee for Economic Development in Guernsey, agreed to make available, subject to contract, a limited underwrite up to a maximum of £95,680 (split equally between Jersey and Guernsey) to support extra weekend return Inter-Island crossings from Manche-Iles Express, the preferred bidder.
Reason(s) for Decision: The desire is to establish a regular passenger only Inter-Island ferry service. In helping an operator to establish a viable and sustainable service, a tender exercise was conducted and some government support from both islands was made available in the form of a limited underwrite. This contract will provide the necessary data evidence to help establish the viability of an ongoing service for the future
Resource Implications: The Jersey proportion of the underwrite, if required, is £47,840. The Minister has determined that the first £28,800 can be taken from the unspent balance of the Tourism Development Fund (TDF). The Department has identified £19,040 from its revenue budget in the event that the full under write is required. There are no further financial or manpower implications.
Action required: Officers are requested to work with Guernsey colleagues to agree a contract with Manche-Iles Express.
Signature: Senator L J Farnham		Position: Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed)