Economic Development Department: Increase in staff numbers

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A decision made on 6 May 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-E-2014-0028

Decision Summary Title: :	Economic Development Department increase in staff numbers		Date of Decision Summary:	14 April 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title: :	Economic Development Department increase in staff numbers		Date of Written Report:	14 April 2014
Written Report Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Request to increase the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTEs) in Economic Development (EDD) by 4 to 60.3 FTEs.
Decision(s): The Minister decided to request the increase in staffing levels to 60.3 FTEs.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) does not include increase in staffing already approved by decisions MD-E-2013-0089. In addition, two unfunded FTEs were not included in MTFP. It was originally understood that unfunded FTEs do not have to be included in MTFP and this decision seeks to rectify this error. Following MD-E-2013-0089 that gave approval to establish the Jersey Aircraft Registry (JAR), MD-E-2013-0103 instructed the Law Draftsman to commence drawing up the necessary legislative package for the establishment and delivery of the JAR. The draft Aircraft Registration (Jersey) Law 201- (AR(J)L201-) will shortly be lodged, for debate in the States. In order to establish and deliver the JAR, it will be necessary to recruit a Registrar to fulfil the functions and responsibilities of the Registrar of Aircraft as detailed in the AR(J)Law 2014. As the JAR develops a Deputy Registrar will be recruited.
Resource Implications: This decision will result in an increase in staffing levels in the Economic Development Department to 60.3.
Action required: Acting Finance Director to inform HR and the Strategic Policy Manager that the decision has been approved.
Signature: Senator A.J.H.Maclean		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Economic Development Department: Increase in staff numbers

Economic Development Department increase in staff numbers

Introduction

The Aircraft Registration (Jersey) Law 201- (AR(J)L201-) will form the major part of the aviation legislative bundle for the establishment and delivery of the Jersey Aircraft Registry (JAR). The draft AR(J)L201- will be lodged au Greffe, on 22 April, to allow the Law to be debated by the States.

To order to fulfil the functions and responsibilities of the Registrar of Aircraft, as detailed in the AR(J)L201-, it is necessary to recruit a Registrar. As the JAR grows, it will be necessary to appoint a Deputy Registrar to assist the Registrar

Background

The AR(J)L201- outlines the establishment and delivery of the Jersey Aircraft Registry (JRA). Inter alia, the legislation gives details of the responsibility of the Registrar of Aircraft to register and approve aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft mortgages and aircraft engine mortgages.

Jersey and Guernsey share a joint Channel Islands Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) who acts as both Bailiwicks’ aviation safety regulator and is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the implementation of aviation security standards for the Channel Islands; ensuring compliance with the relevant international and national standards in respect of aviation security.

With the launch of the Channel Islands Aircraft Registry (the Guernsey Registry), and the establishment and delivery of the Jersey Aircraft Registry in the summer of 2014, the DCA will have regulatory oversight of the authorisation of registrations for both registries. However, the DCA role is a full-time position and while the incumbent will have oversight, the individual will not have capacity to fulfil the operational requirements of both Registries. It is therefore necessary to recruit and appoint a Registrar to undertake the requisite functions and responsibilities to deliver the JAR as detailed in the AR(J)L201- as well as promoting the JAR and working with Jersey Service Providers to help them develop the new business opportunity.

Resource Implications

Much of the operational aspects of the JAR will be delivered by an external contractor under a contract for services. It is assumed that the contract between the JAR and Contractor will be cost neutral to both parties once the JAR is well established. Revenue generating opportunities for the Contractor are likely to grow in value in line with increased numbers of aircraft and ancillaries on the Register.

Income for the JAR will be generated from both the direct services provided by the Registry and the services provided through the Contractor for Airworthiness Surveyors and airworthiness support. These fees will be agreed between the Registrar and the Contractor and disclosed in a Scheme of Charges. The likely scale of income for the JAR could be in the region of £1 million per annum. However it is recognised that until the JAR is established that there will be a net cost to the States to cover the costs of the Registrar and Registry Team.

The Registrar’s job description is yet to be Hay Evaluated, however it is anticipated that the salary range will be in the region of £66,000 to £83,000. While this will be a permanent position, the successful candidate will be given a three year fixed contract. Economic Development will meet the costs of the Registrar during 2014, from its existing budget.

As the JAR grows, it will be necessary to appoint a Deputy Registrar to assist the Registrar. It is assumed that this permanent position will not be recruited to, until 2015. The job description for this role is still to be evaluated, but the likely cost will be in the region of £41,000 to £54,000.