Treasury and Resources
Ministerial Decision Report
FUNDING FOR THE SHORTFALL IN THE ANNUAL REFRESHMENT AND REFURBISHMENT FUND FOR JERSEY HERITAGE TRUST FROM CENTRAL CONTINGENCY (ONE-OFF)
- Purpose of Report
To enable the Minister for Treasury and Resources (T&R) to approve a budget transfer in 2013 of £315,000 from Central Contingency (one-off) to the Education Sport and Culture Department (ESC) revenue head of expenditure for Jersey Heritage Trust’s (JHT) annual capital requirements. The funding for which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers in comments to P.75/2010.
- Background
The need for capital funding for JHT was identified in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General and also by consultants engaged by the Economic Development Department (EDD).
In the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2013-2015 new bids for growth were received with bid 39 stating that the Channel Islands Lottery was unlikely to meet its targets and therefore, in 2012 £315,000 was added to the ESC budget as a ‘one off’ pending lottery funding.
Indications that this fund could be supported by the Summer Lottery proceeds have not been fulfilled and whilst JHT is exploring an alternative source with the Treasury, no additional funding is currently available. ESC, therefore, recognises the balance on the fund in 2013 as a current funding requirement.
Progress status so far:
- Commitment was made to JHT of £465,000 per annum (pa)
- ESC only has £150,000 balance
- JHT is not on the list of benefactors for the new Summer Lottery
- JHT needs money to commence work
- JHT have submitted an annual application to ESC
The Treasury and Resources Minister agrees to this transfer, on the basis that if JHT’s financial position improves, for example as a consequence of agreement being reached over intellectual property rights, that this substantial advance from States’ Contingency Funding will be re-paid in full or in part to the States. This recognises the pressure on these funds for other purposes.
- JHT requirements
JHT is required to set out a rolling programme of improvements to sites or projects to encourage access to those sites. The purpose of which is to ensure they continue to attract the public, whether residents or visitors, in order to sustain the business of the Trust. The specific uses to which the fund is put each year are set out in an annual application to the ESC Minister and included in the JHT’s Business Plan. This year, for example, work includes improvements at La Hogue Bie, which will enable greater emphasis to be put on the Ice Age project, and also updating the display of the Occupation Tapestry.
- Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the budget transfer of £315,000 from Central Contingency (one-off) to the ESC revenue head of expenditure for JHT’s annual capital requirements.
- Reasons for Decision
Article 17(2) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 states that the Minister for Treasury and Resources is authorised to approve the transfer from contingency expenditure to heads of expenditure of amounts not exceeding, in total, the amount available for contingency expenditure in a financial year.
- Resource Implications
Central Contingency (one-off) will decrease by £315,000 in 2013 with the ESC revenue head of expenditure for JHT increasing by an identical amount.
Report author : Business Manager | Document date : 26th June 2013 |
Quality Assurance / Review : Head of Financial Planning | File name and path: L:\Treasury\Sections\Corporate Finance\Ministerial Decisions\DSs, WRs and SDs\2013-0049 - JHT\MR Heritage Capital Funding 2013.docx |
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