2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street, St. Helier

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 August 2010 regarding: 2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street, St. Helier - sale of.

Decision Reference: MD-H-2010-0066
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Proposed sale of 2 Hungerford Villas		Date of Decision Summary:	12 August 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Director of Sales and Lettings		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Proposed Sale of 2 Hungerford Villas		Date of Written Report:	12 August 2010
Written Report Author:	Director of Sales and Lettings		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: To approve the sale of 2 Hungerford Villas on the Open Market.
Decision(s): The Minister, 1. approved the sale of 2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street on the open market at a price to be arrived at in accordance with Policy HD22 ‘Valuation Policy for Sales’. 2. agreed to seek the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources to the disposal on the open market, under the provisions of States Standing Order 168 (2) and subject to the subsequent approval of the individual transaction once an offer to purchase has been secured. 3. agreed to seek the approval from the Minister for Treasury and Resources for capital receipts from the sale of this property to be credited to the Housing Department’s Social Works Programme, HYR000.121010, rather than the Consolidated Fund, under Article 15 (3) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 and Financial Direction 6.6.
Reason(s) for Decision: To ensure that the sale is carried out in accordance with Standing Order 168
Resource Implications: Financial: Nil at present. Once sale complete receipt to be credited to the Housing Department’s Social Works Programme HYR000.121010.
Action required: Director of Strategic Development to arrange for the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources and to oversee the passing of the contract and receipt of funds.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street, St. Helier - sale of

Date of report 6 th August 2010

HOUSING DEPARTMENT

TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

JERSEY PROPERTY HOLDINGS

Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision –

Ministers for Housing & Treasury and Resources

Proposed Sale of

2 HUNGERFORD VILLAS, VAUXHALL STREET,

ST HELIER

Background

On 17 th July 2007 the States approved P.6/2007 “The Social Housing Property Plan 2007 – 2016”. This provided approval for the sale on the open market of a number of non-core properties which were owned by the Public of the Island and were in the stewardship of the Housing Department, along with a higher number of properties to be sold on a first time buyer basis to States tenants with the option of using a deferred payment scheme.

The States in approving P.6/2007 also agreed that the receipts generated from the sales should in the first instance be put towards the planned programme of property refurbishment and regeneration outlined in the plan.

2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street, St Helier

This property was not included on the list of properties in P.6/2007 to be sold either on the open market or at first time buyer value to States tenants.

2 Hungerford Villas is a 4 bedroom terraced house, situated on the roadside. There is a large enclosed rear garden but no on site parking. In February this year, the party-owned wall to the East collapsed significantly and given other maintenance issues surrounding the property the existing tenants were moved to alternative accommodation.

The property is now vacant and given its current condition and the lack of on site parking, it has distinct limitations in respect of its use as a family home. The suitability of the property for social housing provision has been assessed against the needs of both existing tenants requiring a transfer and new prospective tenants on the waiting list. No appropriate social housing use has been identified.

It is estimated that costs to repair the party wall will be approximately £8,760. This expenditure is necessary regardless of the future of the property and indeed this repair has now been completed. However, it is also necessary to spend approximately £13,040 to upgrade the condition of the property if it were to continue to be used for social housing.

On 28th June 2010 the property was valued by Buckley & Co in accordance with the Minister’s approved valuation policy (MD-H-2007-0057 refers) and an open market value of £350,000 was set, with no onward sale conditions being imposed. The valuation took into account the costs required to refurbish the property.

It is not deemed appropriate or cost effective to spend the required £13,040 to maintain this property for social housing use and the Department is of the opinion that the property should be placed on the open market for sale.

Current Situation

Preliminary advice from the Conveyancing Section of the Law Officers’ Department has indicated that the contract does not contain any restrictions which would create a barrier to an open market sale.

The Housing Department wishes to see the Public receive the highest possible receipt for the sale of this property and believes that this can only be achieved if it is sold on the open market.

Given that expected sales at the newly built Le Marais Phase 2 and the next Phase of Le Squez will not now take place, the sale of this property on the open market is not deemed to have any effect on the over-all level of social housing available to those on the Waiting list.

Recommendations

That the Minister,

1. Approve the sale of 2 Hungerford Villas, Vauxhall Street, to be on the open market at a price to be arrived at in accordance with Policy HD22 ‘Valuation Policy for Sales’; and

2. Request that the Treasury & Resources Minister agree to the disposal of this property on the open market under Standing Order 168 and subject to the subsequent approval of the individual transactions once offers to purchase have been secured; and

3. Request that the Treasury & Resources Minister agree to the resultant funds from this sale being credited to the Housing Department’s Social Works Programme, HYR000.121010, rather than the Consolidated Fund, under Article 15 (3) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 and Financial Direction 6.6.

Report Drafted By: -

Dominique Caunce

Director of Sales and Lettings

……………………………Date: 2010

Report Checked By: -

J C Hamon

Finance Director

……..…………………….Date: 2010

Report Approved By:-

Ian Gallichan

Chief Officer

……………………………..Date: 2010