Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards.

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A decision made (19/06/2009) regarding: Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards.

Decision Reference: MD-E-2009-0007
Decision Summary Title :	DS- Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards		Date of Decision Summary:	06/01/2009
Decision Summary Author:	Business Compliance Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	WR- Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards		Date of Written Report:	20th January 2009
Written Report Author:	Chief Executive & Harbour Master		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards
Decision(s): The Minister agreed that Jersey Coastguard be funded solely from freight harbour dues.
Reason(s) for Decision: In the UK and other jurisdictions, coastguard activities are funded by Central Government. In contrast, in Jersey the services have traditionally been funded by Jersey Harbours’ commercial income. In order to improve the transparency of harbour dues, the cost of running this service is to be identified as an integral aspect of the commercial harbour freight due.
Resource Implications: Financial: None – there is no change to the harbour due. The charge will be identified within the current charge. Law Drafting: None Manpower: None IT: None Property: None
Action required: For Jersey Harbours to ensure that the relevant element of the current freight harbour due is identified and allocated against coastguard costs for inclusion in the 2010 Harbours’ budget.
Signature:		Position: Assistant Minister - Economic Development
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Funding of Jersey Coastguard and Beach Lifeguards.

WRITTEN REPORT (PUBLIC)

FUNDING OF JERSEY COASTGUARD AND BEACH LIFEGUARDS

Background

The development of the operating divisions of Jersey Harbours (the Port of Jersey, Jersey Marinas and Jersey Coastguard) is amongst the factors driving the finalisation of funding policies that are consistent with the commercial objectives of each division.

Jersey Coastguard provides modern coastguard services for the Island and territorial waters, aiming to continuously improve marine safety and protect the marine environment.

Coastguard and Beach Lifeguard Funding

In the UK and most other jurisdictions, the Government funds coastguard activities directly through general tax revenues and local councils fund beach lifeguard activities. In Jersey, Jersey Harbours funds coastguard activities from Port of Jersey revenues which results in higher harbour dues relative to other ports.

Changes to internal accounting procedures have made it possible to identify the cost of providing the coastguard – approximately £1M per annum.

The closest equivalent to the UK model is to pay for the cost of providing the coastguard through freight harbour dues. Approximately 99% of all freight goods on the Island pass through the Port of St Helier and therefore everyone on the Island contributes towards harbour dues. This has been quantified as approximately £1.85 of the £8.20 due per tonne.

In Jersey, the beach lifeguard service is provided by Jersey Coastguard and funded by Jersey Tourism, mirroring the UK approach. An SLA is in place between Jersey Harbours and EDD / Jersey Tourism to manage this relationship.

Recommendation

That this element of the current harbour due is identified and allocated against coastguard costs for inclusion in the 2010 budget.

Note – this will not have any effect on the current harbour due. It is purely to identify the aspect of coastguard funding within the existing due. There is no intention to apply an additional ‘coastguard’ charge.

20TH January 2009

Chief Executive and Harbour Master