Aquasplash pool subsidy (FOI)

Request

Please advise if the Government of Jersey still subsidises the Aquasplash pool and, if so, what is the amount? If not, when did the subsidising stop?

Response

The Government of Jersey has a service contract with Serco (Jersey) Limited to run the Aquasplash pool.  This contract states that any losses or deficit as a result of the running of the pool are paid for by the Government of Jersey, therefore the pool is still being subsidised when required.

Information regarding any subsidy amounts received by Aquasplash is exempt under Article 33 (Commercial Interests) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as it is considered to be commercially sensitive.

Article 33 is a qualified exemption; therefore, a public interest test has been applied and is shown at the end of this response.

Article applied

Article 33 - Commercial interests

Information is qualified exempt information if –

(a) it constitutes a trade secret; or

(b) its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of a person (including the scheduled public authority holding the information).

Public interest test

The release of any subsidy costs could potentially disadvantage Serco’s ability to retain a commercial advantage in any future negotiations.  

It is in the public interest to be made aware of any subsidies being paid to the Serco.  However, it is considered that the likely prejudices to the Serco should this information be released outweigh the argument that the release is in the public interest.