Pine Ridge, West Hill, St. Helier: Transfer from Property Holdings to Housing Department

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 18 June 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-PH-2012-0057

Decision Summary Title :

DS – Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier – Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department

Date of Decision Summary:

11 June 2012

Decision Summary Author:

Principal Property Manager

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

N/A

Written Report

Title :

WR - Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier – Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department

PBA 1721-01-001

Date of Written Report:

11 June 2012

Written Report Author:

Principal Property Manager

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

Public, including the plan

Subject: Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier – Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department PBA 1721-01-001

Decision(s):

The Minister agreed to the transfer of Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department and approved the transfer, in perpetuity, of the respective income, expenditure and depreciation budgets relating to the property with effect from 01 July 2012.

Reason(s) for Decision:

The property is serving no Public purpose and its disposal on the open market is not considered to be the preferred option. It is capable of being converted to provide for social housing use.

Resource Implications:

The anticipated capital receipt from disposal will not now be realised. The asset and associated budgets will be transferred between departments.

Action required:

Treasury and Resources to arrange for the asset and any associated budgets to be transferred from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department’s balance sheet.

Signature:

Position:

Deputy E J Noel*

Assistant Minister for Treasury & Resources

Date Signed:

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

MD-PH-2012-0057

Pine Ridge, West Hill, St. Helier: Transfer from Property Holdings to Housing Department

TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

JERSEY PROPERTY HOLDINGS

Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision - Minister for Treasury and Resources

Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier – Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department

PBA 1721-01-001

Purpose

To seek the approval of the Minister to transfer Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier and the associated budgets from the balance sheet of Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department.

Background

The Public acquired Pine Ridge in 2000 under the ‘Bellozanne Bad Neighbour’ purchase policy, along with the neighbouring houses Narkunda and Chantermerle (see attached location plan).

The policy was approved by the States in 1997, its purpose being to provide an opportunity for the Public to acquire properties within a 100 metre radius of the incinerator chimney which ‘came on the market’. It was subsequently rescinded when a decision was made that the incinerator chimney would be decommissioned.

Narkunda and Chantermerle have been used by the Housing Department as social rental units since being acquired.

Pine Ridge however was in poor condition when it was acquired, and the Housing Department decided against refurbishing it for social rental use. As there was no other identified use for the property, a decision was made to board it up pending a longer term decision, and it has remained empty since then.

Current Situation

In the 2010 interim asset valuation, Pine Ridge was valued at £100,000 on the basis of open market value. The low value is attributable to the poor condition of the building and its close location to the Bellozanne site and the incinerator chimney.

Jersey Property Holdings has investigated the development potential of the site, and has concluded that because of factors such as the narrow access roadway, the surroundings, the sloping nature of the site and its steep drop to Bellozanne, and the potential issues with obtaining consent to demolish a dwelling of post modern design, the site is unlikely to be attractive to residential developers.

Furthermore, because the plot adjoins Public land to the north, south and east, the disposal of the site would affect any future proposals for the redevelopment of Narkunda and Chantermerle.

Finally, even though the 1997 policy has been rescinded, concerns could be raised as to why a property bought under a bad neighbour policy is now being resold, when Bellozanne remains the Island’s central dump and sewerage treatment area.

Having concluded that the sale of Pine Ridge was not the preferred option, Jersey Property Holdings revisited with the Housing Department the option of the house being refurbished or rebuilt to provide one or more social units.

Housing has looked at the matter afresh and sees this as a good opportunity to provide a detached unit for social tenants who do not necessarily suit a housing estate location.

The Housing Department is willing to take on the property and invest in making it suitable for Social rental use. Jersey Property Holdings supports the transfer for that purpose, and as the property is not performing a Public purpose, agrees that it should be removed from Jersey Property Holdings’ balance sheet and transferred to the Housing Department.

Recommendation

That the Minister agrees to transfer Pine Ridge, West Hill, St Helier and the associated budgets from the balance sheet of Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department.

Written By: (Principal Property Manager)

Signature …………………………

Authorised By: (Director/Assistant Director JPH)

Signature ………………………… 11 June 2011