Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increase to fees and charges.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (25/03/2009) regarding: Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increase to fees and charges.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2009-0042
Decision Summary Title:	Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increases to fees and charges		Date of Decision Summary:	24th March 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Kevin Hemmings Head of Decision Support		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increases to fees and charges		Date of Written Report:	19th March 2009
Written Report Author:	Transport and Technical Services Department		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increases to fees and charges
Decision(s): The Minister approved the requested increases to fees and charges for Jersey Car Parks which will take affect from 1st April 2009 The charges have been approved by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services (MD-T-2009-0006).
Reason(s) for Decision: Financial direction 4.1 requires the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve any fee increase greater than 2.5%.
Resource Implications: Other than those detailed in the report there are no further financial or manpower Implications.
Action required: Head of Decision Support to notify the Transport and Technical Services Department of the Minister’s approval of the increases to Jersey Car Parks 2009 fees and charges.
Signature:		Position: Senator T A Le Sueur, Chief Minister
Date Signed: 25th March 2009		Date of Decision: 25th March 2009

Approval of Jersey Car Parks 2009 increase to fees and charges.

Approval of Jersey Car Parks increases to fees and charges for 2009

Background

Jersey Car Parks commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to issue a report on the future of the Car Parks. It was recommended that in order to maintain cost recovery levels and therefore maintain the standard of car parks over a 25 year period fees and charges should be increased each year by RPI(Y). This report has since been recently updated by BDO Alto Limited.

Following previous years, for consistency Jersey Car Parks reviewed their fees and charges for 2009 with the intention of increasing them by the 3rd quarter RPI(Y) of 4.9%. Due to the current financial climate and following discussions with the Statistics Unit, Jersey Car Parks decided to increase fees and charges by the 4th quarter RPI(Y) figure which had decreased considerably to 3.2%. In addition it should be noted that Jersey Car Parks have not increased their charges for season tickets.

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services approved the increases as per the attached schedule on the 27th February 2009 (MD-T-2009-0006). It has been confirmed by T&TS staff that the Minister was advised of the reduction in income as a result of raising charges by 3.2% rather than 4.9%. This reduction amounts to approximately £85,000 based on 2008 sales. The decision does not represent a permanent change to policy.

Delegation

As approved January 2009:

Anti-Inflation Strategy (P125/2000)

The States in the Anti-Inflation Strategy agreed that increases in States charges should be limited to a maximum of 2.5 per cent a year, with any exceptions, in extremely compelling cases only, to be subject to prior approval by the Finance and Economics Committee (now the Minister for Treasury and Resources).

Recommended delegation:

Ministerial decision:

Authority be delegated to the Treasurer, or in his absence, another person as nominated by the Treasurer to agree non-contentious fee/charge increases which do not require subsequent States approval; or in instances where fees are being increased in line with the “User Pays” principle.

The Minister agrees that approval for increases which are in line with statute or with a formula which has already received States or his approval do not require further approval.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the fees and charges for Jersey Car Parks as per the attached schedule with effect from 1st April 2009.

Reason for Decision

Financial direction 4.1 requires the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve any fee increase greater than 2.5%.

19th March 2009