Government of Jersey

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (17/11/2008) regarding: Planning and Environment - Transfer of Building Maintenance Budgets to Jersey Property Holdings.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2008-0246
Decision Summary Title :	Planning and Environment – Transfer of Building Maintenance Budgets to Jersey Property Holdings		Date of Decision Summary:	10th November 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Mrs H Whiteman		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	N/A
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Transfer of Property Maintenance and Associated Property Budgets from the Planning and Environment Department to the Property Holdings Department.		Date of Written Report:	10th November 2008
Written Report Author:	Mrs H Whiteman		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Transfer of Property Maintenance and Associated Property Budgets from the Planning and Environment Department to the Property Holdings Department for 2008 and 2009.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to transfer recurring net revenue budget amounting to - £28,555 to Jersey Property Holdings, with full balances being transferred from 1st January 2008. The transfer to occur for 2008 and 2009 after which it will be included in Planning and Environment Department’s business plan.
Reason(s) for Decision: The budget transfers will enable Jersey Property Holdings to provide an integrated ‘landlord’ property maintenance service, including the planning, organisation and control of the maintenance of the buildings, ensuring value for money, compliance with best practice, building regulations and statutory requirements.
Resource Implications: Financial: Recurring Budget Transfer of -£28,555.
Action required: The Finance Director to notify the Minister for the Treasury and Resources Department of this decision.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Planning and Environment - Transfer of Building Maintenance Budgets to Jersey Property Holdings.

REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Transfer of Property Maintenance and Associated Property Budgets from the Planning and Environment Department to the Property Holdings Department.

Purpose of the Report

To seek the approval of the Minister for Planning and Environment to transfer property budgets from the Planning and Department to the Property Holdings Department for 2008 and 2009.

Background

In July 2005 the States agreed the creation of a new States Department, Property Holdings Department, to be responsible for the ownership and administration of the States property portfolio. This transfer is an ongoing part of moving the property responsibilities and their associated budgets currently held in other departments into the Property Holdings Department.

The Departments involved in the proposed transfer are-:

02310 Planning and Building Services

02330 Environmental Services

02340 Meteorological Department

The properties involved in this transfer are-:

Planning Offices at South Hill Offices plus four Portacabins
Howard Davis Farm, its associated offices and stores and three houses, two of which are currently let.
The Frances Le Sueur Centre
Maison St Louis and the associated flat which is currently tenanted

A Service Level Agreement has been issued which sets out the future maintenance and service responsibilities of Property Holdings and the Occupying Departments. Property Holdings currently receive a rent from Planning which occupies part of the South Hill Office. The remainder of South Hill is occupied by both the Transport and Technical Services Department and Property Holdings Department Architect’s Section and a facilities management agreement is already in place for these areas of the building.

This transfer specifically excludes the following-:

Kempt Tower
The Visitor Centre on Gorey Pier which shares a building with the Custom’s Station. (This is owned by Harbours)
The Weather Station at La Moye
Two Portacabins at the Harbour

There are no staff associated with this transfer.

The proposed budget transfers by business unit and account are shown in detail on

Appendix A. They total-:

	£
Planning & Building Services	3,800

Environment
Income	-38,901
Expenditure	11,046
Net Environment	-27,855

Meterological Services
Income (Flat Maison St Louis)	-9,100
Expenditure	4,600
Net	-4,500

TOTAL TRANSFER	-28,555

A condition survey has been completed. The condition survey highlighted that there is insufficient budget to cover the liabilities and defects of the properties; however this is an estate wide issue which will need to be tackled at corporate level. It is not proposed that this should delay the transfer of resources.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the recurring net revenue budget transfer of -£28,555 and associated expenditure to Jersey Property Holdings with full balances being transferred from 1st January 2008 on the conditions and at the amounts listed above. The budget transfer is to occur for 2008 and 2009, after which it will be included in the Planning and Environment Department’s business plan.

Reason (s) for Decision

The budget transfers will enable Jersey Property Holdings to provide an integrated ‘landlord’ property maintenance service, including the planning, organisation and control of the maintenance of the buildings, ensuring value for money, compliance with best practice, building regulations and statutory requirements.

Action Required

The Finance Director to notify the Minister for the Treasury and Resources Department of this decision.

Written by:	Mrs H Whiteman, Senior Management Accountant

Approved by:	Ellen Littlechild, Finance Director

Attachment:	Appendix A

Exemption:

Reference:

Appendix A

Business Unit	Object Account	Description	Cumulative 12 General Ledger Year 2007	Cumulative 12 Total Budget Year 2008
IBG005 - Admin	701100	Building Maintenance	5,872.40	2,500.00
IBG005 - Admin	701511	Minor Works	769.00	1,000.00
IBG005 - Admin	702100	Health & Safety Measures	133.18	300.00
IEC240 - Countryside - General	701100	Building Maintenance	392.00	1,021.00
IEE130 - Visitor Centres	701100	Building Maintenance	0.00	1,525.00
IEG010 - HDF Property & Utilities	322510	Other Rentals	-14,990.00	-38,901.00
IEG010 - HDF Property & Utilities	701100	Building Maintenance	7,962.32	6,000.00
IEG010 - HDF Property & Utilities	701540	Plumbing	413.22	0.00
IEG010 - HDF Property & Utilities	703010	Decoration	1,357.47	2,500.00
IWP030 - Maison St Louis	322010	Property Rentals	-9,009.20	-9,100.00
IWP030 - Maison St Louis	700100	Grounds Maintenance	3,000.96	3,100.00
IWP030 - Maison St Louis	701100	Building Maintenance	232.24	1,500.00
		NET TOTAL FOR TRANSFER		-28,555.00