Government of Jersey

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A decision made (09.02.07) to approve the transfer of the Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department.

Subject:	Transfer of the Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2007-0018	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		Finance/Liz Middleton/Budget 2007/WR Transfer SGF
Written Report – Title:	Transfer of Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department	Written report – Author:		Liz Middleton Finance Director
Decision(s): The Minister approved the transfer of the balance of funds on the Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department (T&TSD) (£250,865 as at 31 Dec. 2006).
Reason(s) for decision:  The Community Safety Grants Panel was set up under the Defence Committee Act No. 7, dated 9 July, 1998. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Department (DVSD) had raised income from the sale of low registration numbers by auction and the Committee wished to use these funds to establish a special Community Safety Fund to enable grants to be made for projects to improve safety in the Island.  The balance on the fund was not transferred to the T&TSD when responsibility for the DVSD was transferred in 2006. On 31 March 2006 the Chief Officer wrote to the Chief Officer of the T&TSD outlining the proposed use for the balance on the Fund which had been agreed with the Treasurer of the States.  Following correspondence between the Minister and Minister and Assistant Minister for Transport and Technical Services it was agreed that the balance on the Safety Grants Fund should be transferred to the T&TSD.
Resource Implications There are no additional financial or manpower implications for the Home Affairs Department.
Action required:  Seek approval of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services.  Notify the Treasurer of the States of the transfer.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Safety Grants Fund - Transfer to Transport & Technical Services

Home Affairs Department Report for Minister
Subject:	Transfer of Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department
Exempt Clause:	n/a	Date:	1 February 2007

Author:	Liz Middleton – Finance Director

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to seek the Minister’s approval of the transfer of the balance on the Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department (T&TSD).

Background

The Community Safety Grants Panel was set up under the Defence Committee Act No. 7, dated 9 July, 1998. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Department (DVSD) had raised income from the sale of low registration numbers by auction and the Committee wished to use these funds to establish a special Community Safety Fund to enable grants to be made for projects to improve safety in the Island.

The use of the income was approved by the Treasurer of the States.

The Community Safety Grants Panel (CSGP) was renamed the Safety Grants Panel (Home Affairs Committee, Act A13, dated 27 January, 2000) to avoid confusion with the Community Grants Panel (CGP). The Safety Grants Panel has not met since responsibility for the DVSD was transferred to the T&TSD in April 2006.

The balance on the fund was not transferred to the T&TSD when responsibility for the DVSD was transferred in 2006. On 31 March 2006 the Chief Officer wrote to the Chief Officer of the T&TSD outlining the proposed use for the balance on the Fund which had been agreed with the Treasurer of the States (ie the funding of the implementation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Jersey) Law (RIP(J)L) in 2007.)

However, following correspondence between the Minister and Minister and Assistant Minister for Transport and Technical Services it was agreed that the balance on the Safety Grants Fund (£250,865 as at 31 December 2006) should be transferred to the T&TSD.

Current Situation

Following the identification of alternative funding for the implementation costs of RIP(J)L in 2007 the Minister wrote to the Minister for Transport and Technical Services on 20 December 2006, suggesting that he reconstitute the panel and advising him that the Department would be in a position to transfer the balance on the Fund to him in January 2007. The Minister wrote again to the Minister for Transport and Technical Services on 26 January 2007 notifying him that the balance on the Fund would be released.

Section 5.6 of Financial Direction 3.6 – Variations to Heads of Expenditure states that ‘Transfers arising from the transfer of responsibility and administration of a service agreed by the States will not require further approval by the Minister for Treasury and Resources on the understanding that:-

· Both the relevant ministers party to the transfer must agree the associated financial and manpower transfers; and

· All such transfers must be notified to the Treasurer of the States. ‘

Resource Implications

Following the identification of alternative funding for the implementation costs of RIP(J)L in 2007 there are no financial implications for the Home Affairs Department as a result of this transfer.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Minister:

(i) approves the transfer of the balance on the Safety Grants Fund to the Transport and Technical Services Department (£250,865 as at 31 December 2006);

(ii) seeks the agreement of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services for the transfer;

(iii) notifies the Treasurer of the States of the transfer.