Community Safety Fund: Award of Grant

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (22.05.2009) to approve grants to the Fire and Rescue Service to provide smoke detectors and fire safety information.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2009-0051
Decision Summary Title :	Community Safety Fund – Award Of Grant		Date of Decision Summary:	11 May 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Head of DVS & Inspector of Motor Traffic		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Community Safety Fund – Award Of Grant		Date of Written Report:	11 May 2009
Written Report Author:	Head of DVS & Inspector of Motor Traffic		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Community Safety Fund – Award Of Grant – Fire and Rescue Service
Decision(s): The Minister approved grants of £10,000 and £2,000 to the Fire and Rescue Service to provide smoke detectors in at risk homes and to produce and distribute important fire safety information to these households.
Reason(s) for Decision: To improve fire safety in at risk homes.
Resource Implications: The sum to cover the grants is available in the Community Safety Grants Fund.
Action required: The sum to be disbursed to the relevant organisation.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Community Safety Fund: Award of Grant

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

COMMUNITY SAFETY FUND – AWARD OF GRANT

Purpose of the Report

To consider a recent application for grants from the Community Safety Fund.

Background

In June and December 2007, interim arrangements for considering applications for and awarding grants from the Community Safety Fund, for small but important initiatives, were approved by the Minister under Ministerial Decisions MD-T-2007-0058 MD-T-2007-0112.

The criteria approved by the Minister for considering applications and awarding grants in the interim are:-

· The proposal should be beneficial to the community at large;

· For one off items of expenditure directly related to community safety;

· Island based;

· For proposals that would significantly enhance or raise awareness on community safety and for which there is no or insufficient public funding;

· A maximum interim award of £10,000 per project.

Discussion

A further application has been received for grants from the Community Safety Fund, as outlined below.

Organisation

Amount Requested

Purpose

Fire and Rescue Service

£10,000

Installing smoke detectors in low -income and vulnerable homes.

Fire and Rescue Service

£2,000

Providing fire safety literature in energy efficiency packs.

The States of Jersey Energy Efficiency Services Scheme was launched by the Planning and Environment Department on 08 April 2009 with the aim of assisting 1,500 to 1,700 low-income and vulnerable households in reducing their energy bills and improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Eligible applicants will receive an energy survey of their home, followed by the installation of identified improvements including: cavity wall and loft insulation, draught proofing, temperature controls, pipe lagging and low energy lighting.

The Energy Efficiency Team is willing to include fire safety as part of this service by including a check for smoke detectors as part of the initial survey and then the fitting of smoke detectors as part of the energy efficiency works. The inclusion of fire safety literature within the energy efficiency pack left with each household is also possible.

The Jersey Fire and Rescue Service is keen to work in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Team as the targeted homes are the same groups identified by the Fire Service’s safer communities’ strategy as being of high risk from fire.

To qualify for the energy efficiency scheme the household must fulfil one of the following criteria:

○ Recipient of income support with occupant aged over 65

○ Recipient of income support with occupant aged under 3

○ Recipient of income support with occupant in receipt of personal care allowance

○ Householder in receipt of Westfield 65+ health scheme payments.

The target group therefore comprises of low income households that incorporate an elderly, young or disabled individual. These groups are all identified by Jersey Fire and Rescue as high risk from fire.

Jersey Fire and Rescue currently receive no funding for smoke alarm provision within the Island. Therefore for this extremely valuable partnership to happen, Jersey Fire and Rescue require £10,000 to purchase 1,500 smoke alarms to provide to these ‘at risk’ members of our community.

A further £2,000 will enable Jersey Fire and Rescue to provide specific local home fire safety advice leaflets to every household involved in the scheme.

The application meets the criteria and sufficient funds remain available in the Community Safety Fund.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to award grants of £10,000 and £2,000 to the Fire and Rescue Service to provide smoke detectors in at risk homes and to produce and distribute important fire safety information to these households.

Reason(s) for Decision

To improve fire safety in at risk homes.

Action Required

Subject to the Minister approving the grant, the sums to be disbursed to the relevant organisation.

Written by:	Head of Driver and Vehicle Standards

Approved by:	Director of Transport

11 May 2009