Social Security
Ministerial Decision Report
Budget transfer from Social Security to Treasury & Resources on behalf of Education, Sport and Culture for the upgrade and replacement of facilities at Crabbé
- Purpose of Report
To enable the Minister for Social Security to approve a budget transfer in 2013 of £926,000 to Treasury and Resources (Jersey Property Holdings) on behalf of the Education Sport & Culture Department for the upgrade and replacement of facilities at Crabbé.
- Background
The outdoor facility at Crabbé was opened in 1981 and is only 1 of 3 outdoor facilities on the Island (the others being owned by the Scouts). The facility is extremely popular and in 2010 accommodated a total of 4,620 people in 156 groups. The facility is 30 years old and is now in need of urgent upgrade and replacement to make it compliant with the latest requirements for health and safety, child protection and disabled access.
Specifically funding is required for:
- replacement of wooden chalets which are no longer fit for purpose;
- rebuilding of the main learning area to incorporate the accommodation, and to improve kitchen and toilet facilities for adults and children.
In the present economic climate this project will provide much needed work for the local construction industry. The tender process will be tailored to attract local, suitably sized contractors and will focus on contribution to the local economy including use of local sub-contractors and commitment to States policies such as the Back to Work programme.
The Social Security Department is currently forecast to underspend by £13million, in 2013, the majority of which results from Income Support expenditure being forecast at £11.4million less than that agreed in the MTFP.
The first call on the 2013 underspend and those of 2014 and 2015 is the Long Term Care Fund to address the shortfall in funding for the Long term Care Scheme arising from the delay in the introduction of the contribution charge. However after allowing for that transfer and the carryforward required by the Department in 2014, there are sufficient funds to meet the funding request.
- Recommendation
The Minister approved a non-recurring budget transfer in 2013 of £926,000 from the Social Security revenue head of expenditure to the Treasury and Resources (Jersey Property Holdings) (who will manage the project on behalf Education, Sport and Culture) “Crabbe Silver Jubilee Works” capital head of expenditure for the upgrade and replacement of facilities at Crabbé (named “the Queens Silver Jubilee Activity Base”). Jersey Property Holdings will manage the project on behalf of Education, Sport and Culture.
- Reasons for Decision
The outdoor facility at Crabbé is in urgent need of upgrade and replacement to ensure compliance with the latest requirements for health and safety, child protection and disabled access. This project will also provide much needed work for the local construction industry and focus on contribution to the local economy.
Funding in excess of that required to fund the Long Term Care scheme in 2014 & 2015 (in advance of the introduction of the Contribution income) from the 2013 – 2015 underspends is available to meet the funding request.
- Resource Implications
Transfer of £926,000 from Social Security to Treasury and Resources (Jersey Property Holdings) who will manage the project on behalf of Education, Sport and Culture. A new capital head of expenditure will be set up in Jersey Property Holdings in the name of Education, Sport and Culture “Crabbe Silver Jubilee Works” to reflect the financial arrangement in place.
Social Security
13th December 2013