Fire and Rescue Service Fees: 2014 Increase

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 19 December 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2013-0072
Decision Summary Title :	Increase in Fire and Rescue Service fees		Date of Decision Summary:	10 December 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Increase in Fire and Rescue Service fees		Date of Written Report:	10 December 2013
Written Report Author:	Group Manager Jersey Fire & Rescue		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Increase in Fire and Rescue Service fees.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the increase in fees payable for services provided by the Fire and Rescue Service as detailed in the accompanying report and requested the Chief Fire Officer to liaise with the Law Draftsman over the drafting of the relevant Order to give effect to the fee increases with effect from 1 January 2014.
Reason(s) for Decision: To enable the Department to increase the fees payable for fire certificates; the provision of technical fire safety advice; the provision of fire safety training; the provision of humanitarian services; the charge for attending a malfunctioning automatic fire alarm; and the fees payable under the Petroleum (Licensing) (Fees) (Jersey) Order 2012, in line with the States Anti-Inflation Strategy, detailed in FD4.1: Increases in States’ Fees and Charges.
Resource Implications: None other than those detailed in the accompanying report.
Actions required: The Chief Fire Officer to request that the Law Draftsman prepares the relevant Orders to give effect to the fee increases.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Fire and Rescue Service Fees: 2014 Increase

Report

To: Executive Officer Home Affairs

From: Group Commander Martyn Maguire

Date: 10th December 2013
Our Ref: 0110-02

Re: Increase in Fire and Rescue Service Fees

Introduction

This report identifies the current and proposed future fee increases proposed for 2014 in line with the States of Jersey Financial Direction 4.1 January 2006.

The average increase proposed is 2.5%, which falls within the Anti Inflation Strategy in accordance with FD 4.1: Increases in States Fees and Services. The fees have been rounded to the nearest pence per square metre or pound in other cases as previously agreed by the Treasurer of the States.

Current Fees and Proposed Fees

Following a review of the costs within the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, it is proposed to increase the fees for certain services. Our proposed fee increases are shown highlighted in the text extracted from our existing fees orders below.

2.1 Fire Precautions (Fees) (Jersey) (Amendment No 2) (Jersey) Order 2012

FEES FOR FIRE CERTIFICATES

ITEM	DESCRIPTION	FEE	% iNCREASE
1	Application for fire certificate under Article 3(1) of Fire Precautions (Jersey) Law 1977	70 pence per square metre to 72 pence	2.9%
2	Issue of replacement certificate	£72.00 to £74.00	2.8%
3	Amendment (other than amendment specified in item 5) of certificate in respect of premises with floor area 100 square metres or less *	£72.00 to £74.00	2.8%
4	Amendment (other than amendment specified in item 5) of certificate in respect of premises with floor area more than 100 square metres *	70 pence per square metre to 72 pence	2.9%
5	Amendment of certificate in respect of change of owner or occupier of premises only	£72.00 to £74.00	2.8%

2.2 Fire and Rescue Service (Charges)(Amendment) (Jersey) Order 2012

AMOUNTS AND RATES OF CHARGES FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL FIRE SAFETY ADVICE

aCTION	Charge	% INCREASE
Where the provision of technical fire safety advice described in Article 2 requires the use of the following appliances and personnel of the Fire and Rescue Service – (a) light portable pump and 1 operator (b) light appliance and crew (1 to 2 personnel) (c) standard or special appliance and crew (1 to 2 personnel) (d) standard appliance or rescue boat and crew (4 to 5 personnel) (e) aerial ladder platform and crew (2 personnel)	(a) £138.00 to £141.00 (b) £205.00 to £210.00 (c) £220.00 to £225.00 (d) £277.00 to £284.00 (e) £343.00 to £352.00	2.2% 2.4% 2.3% 2.5% 2.6%
Note: Charges for Fire and Rescue Service appliances and personnel services are per hour or part hour commencing from the vehicle and personnel leaving the fire station and ending at the time of return of the vehicle and personnel to the fire station. The charges include the use of all equipment carried as normal complement. An additional charge will be made for any other expenditure incurred, including the costs of materials supplied or repairs to appliances and equipment that are directly attributable to the service rendered.
Where the provision of technical fire safety advice described in Article 2 requires the use of the following personnel of the Fire and Rescue Service -
(a) any interview with Fire and Rescue Service officers at the rank of station manager or above (b) any interview with Fire and Rescue Service Officers below the rank of station manager	(a) £102.00 to £105.00 per hour per officer (b) £77 to £79 per hour per officer interviewed	2.9% 2.6%
Note: the minimum charge for Fire and Rescue Service personnel services is for 1 hour, and the service is charged per quarter hour thereafter. Interview includes an interview in connection with an investigation, research or any other purpose.
Where the provision of technical fire safety advice described in Article 2 requires the use of the Fire and Rescue Service training room and training facilities	(a) £154.00 to £158.00 for over 4 hours use of training room in a day (b) £102.00 to £105.00 for up to 4 hours use of training room in a day	2.6% 2.9%
Where the provision of technical fire safety advice described in Article 2 requires the use of the Fire and Rescue Service personnel and administrative services for the provision of documents, photographs, tapes, videos or other similar recordings
(a) the provision of a copy of a fire report or other incident report	(a) £138.00 to £141.00 per report	2.2%
(b) The provision of documents, photos, tapes, videos or other similar recordings	(b) £102.00 to £105.00	2.9%
Where provision of technical fire safety advice described in Article 2 requires the Fire and Rescue Service to provide technical fire safety advice, other than training
(a) inspection of any commercial, trade, professional or public premises, and the provision of a fire safety report in respect of such inspection	(a) £72.00 to £74.00 for premises with a floor area of 100 square metres or less, or 70 pence to 72 pence per square metre for premises with a floor area of more than 100 square metres	2.8%
(b) technical fire safety advice or consultation	(b) £102.00 to £105.00	2.9%
Note: the charge for providing technical fire safety advice or consultation is per hour. The minimum charge is for 1 hour, and the service is charged per quarter hour thereafter. The charge applies in respect of preparation and research time as well as the time during which advice is given.
(c) search of Fire and Rescue Service records to establish whether any material or information is held by the Fire and Rescue Service in respect of any premises	(c) £102.00 to £105.00
Note: the charge for a search of the Fire and Rescue Service records includes the cost of providing a report as to whether any material or information is held by the Service, and the nature of any such material or information, but excludes the provision of a fire or other incident report or any other documents held.
Where the action is for the provision of training -
1 The provision of training at any premises of the Fire and Rescue Service by one or more personnel of the Fire and Rescue Service – (a) per person – (i) attending 1 course (ii) attending 2 courses (iii) attending 3 courses (b) per group of 10 or 11 persons – (i) attending 1 course (ii) attending 2 courses (iii) attending 3 courses	(a) (i) £51.00 to £52.00 (ii) £97.00 to £99.00 (iii) £138.00 to £141.00 (b) (i) £512.00 to £525.00 (ii) £974.00 to £998.00 (iii) £1,384.00 to £1,419.00	2.0% 2.1% 2.2% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2 The provision of training at any premises not being premises of the Fire and Rescue Services by one or more personnel of the Fire and Rescue Service – per 1 or 2 persons – (i) attending 1 course (ii) attending 2 courses (iii) attending 3 courses	(i) £51.00 to £52.00 (ii) £97.00 to £99.00 (iii) £138.00 to £141.00	2.0% 2.1% 2.2%
3 Personnel charges for the preparation of bespoke training	£102.00 per hour to £105.00	2.9%
Note: The minimum charge for preparation of bespoke training is for 1 hour, and is charged per quarter hour thereafter. The charge applies in respect of research and preparation time and is in addition to the charge for the delivery of any bespoke training as set out in paragraphs 1 and 2.

AMOUNTS AND RATES OF CHARGES FOR PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN SERVICES

circumstances	charge	% increase
Where any action described in article 3 requires the use of the following appliances and personnel of the Fire and Rescue service
(a) light portable pump and 1 operator (b) light appliance and crew (1 to 2 personnel) (c) standard or special appliance and crew (1 to 2 personnel) (d) standard appliance or rescue boat and crew (4 to 5 personnel) (e) aerial ladder platform and crew (2 personnel)	£138.00 to £141.00 £205.00 to £210.00 £220.00 to £225.00 £277.00 to £284.00 £343.00 to £352.00	2.2% 2.4% 2.3% 2.5% 2.6%
Note: charges for fire and rescue service appliances and personnel services are per hour or part hour commencing from the vehicle and personnel leaving the fire station (or where the appliance and personnel are already at the place where the assistance is to be given, at the time when the assistance commences) and ending at the time of return of the appliance and personnel to the fire station. The charges include the use of all equipment carried as normal complement. An additional charge will be made for any other expenditure incurred, including the costs of materials supplied or repairs to appliances and equipment that are directly attributable to the service rendered.

CHARGE FOR ATTENDING MALFUNCTIONING AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM

Charge for responding to malfunctioning automatic fire alarm

£277.00 to £284.00

2.5%

2.3 Petroleum (Licensing) (Fees) (Jersey) Order 2012

(a)

in the case of an application to keep petroleum-spirit at premises comprising a bulk fuel storage depot

£2,500.00 to £2,562.00

2.5%

(b)

in the case of an application to keep petroleum-spirit at premises for the purposes of distribution to premises used for dispensing petroleum-spirit for retail or private supply or to a person for private use

£1,000.00 to £1,025.00

2.5%

(c)

in the case of an application to keep petroleum-spirit at premises used for dispensing petroleum-spirit for retail or private supply, not being premises falling within the description in paragraph (b)

£200.00 to £205.00, plus £50.00 to £51.00 per petroleum dispenser used at the premises for such supply

2.5%

Resource Implications

Income generated from the above fees has been included in our CSR proposals and returns and has been debated and accepted by the States Assembly.

4. Recommendations

It is recommended that the Minister approves the fee increases as detailed above