Department for Infrastructure: Fees and Charges: 2017 Increase

DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE – 2017 DEPARTMENTAL FEES AND

CHARGES

Purpose of Report

The Minister for Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is asked to approve a request to amend the Department’s various fees and charges for 2017 (a schedule of charges is attached as Appendix A).

Discussion

The proposed increases have been limited to 2.5% per annum in line with FD 4.1 “Increases in States Fees and Charges”, bar the exceptions detailed below and in the attached appendices.  Confirmation has been received from Treasury that although RPI(X) is currently below this figure no further authorisation needs to be sought in order to increase fees by not more than 2.5% on average (within the margins of rounding errors due to low charge levels).

It is proposed that “Asbestos Containing Materials” charges be increased by 2.5% with a note stating that the fees will be under further review during 2017.

An independent review has taken place during 2016 on the Abattoir and Knackers Yard services performed by the States, which is attached as Appendix E. The report suggests a staggered increase in fees to bring the level of subsidy down and also bring Jersey’s charges more in line with comparable jurisdictions. It is proposed to increase the fees by 2.5% in the interim, until DfI have had an opportunity to discuss the proposal with the industry.

In addition, it is proposed that the following fees and charges are not increased by a straight 2.5% for the reasons detailed below:

• Clinical Waste – The waste acceptance criteria for clinical waste has changed during 2016, and income has fallen as a result. This has led to the necessity of reviewing the charges for this waste stream in order to ensure “user pays”. It is proposed that the fee is increased from £1.07 + GST per kg to £1.63 + GST per kg. An explanation and full proposal is attached as Appendix B;

• Search Fees (for conveyancing purposes) – These are proposed to be increased to £75.00 + GST with an introduction of a higher fee of £100.00 + GST for any requests made within 3 days of proposed property transfer completion date. An explanation and full proposal is attached in Appendix C;

• Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) – Charges reduced following review of actual costs incurred during callouts. Business case attached as Appendix D;

• Plasterboard – treatment of plasterboard has changed. 50% is now exported at a cost of £100.00 per tonne whilst 50% remains mixed with green waste and sludge to provide agriculture with quality compost. As a result it is proposed to increase the fee to £50.00 + GST per tonne. This still does not represent full cost recovery of the operation;

• Certain charges, namely EFW Replacement access cards, Prepacked Soil Improver and Mulch and Composter plus Caddy (each) minimum order 10 (only sold to garden nurseries) have been kept at 2016 prices to simplify administration and/or collection of cash;

• Tanker Service “13 and over” – this fee is being increased to be in line with the tight tank charge as anyone who is having their septic tank emptied more than 12 times per year is essentially using it as a tight tank;

• Motorcycles (CBT) – There is an agreement that the fee for CBT will increase each January by RPI(y) as at the previous September. The September 2016 RPI(y) is 1.9%.

As highlighted in the Medium Financial Plan 2017 – 2019, from January 1st 2018 it is proposed that Commercial Green Waste charges, currently £19.38 + GST, will be increased to a level which enables the process to be full cost recovery.

Driver and Vehicle Standards charges (excluding the Motorcycle (CBT) fee above) have been rounded to the nearest £ wherever possible and this has resulted in a small number of charges increasing above 2.5%.  However, these charges are relatively low in terms of income generation and the weighted average increase for DVS is actually below 2.5%.

As in previous years, the fees and charges for Jersey Car Parks have not been included as part of this Ministerial Decision but will be brought to the Minister for consideration as a separate report.

In accordance with Finance Direction 4.1, “Increases in States Fees and Charges”, all increases to charges above 2.5% require the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources.   The Treasurer of the States can approve increases to States charges under his delegated powers, where those increases are non-contentious.

Recommendation

That the Minister approves the fees and charges for 2017 as laid out in the attached Appendix A. That the Minister requests the Finance Director to arrange for the Department’s fees and charges to be advertised on the States Website, www.gov.je, and to be available on request from the department.

Reason for Decision

To enable the Department to increase its fees and charges by an average of 2.5% for 2017.

Resource Implications

The increased income will aid towards cost recovery for services.

Action Required

The Finance Director to arrange for the Department’s fees and charges to be advertised on www.gov.je.