Prison House Rental System: Amendments

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

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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
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A decision made 9 January 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2015-0001
Decision Summary Title :	Proposal to change the prison house rental system		Date of Decision Summary:	5 January 2015
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 :	Proposal to change the prison house rental system		Date of Written Report:	6 November 2014
Written Report Author:	Prison Governor		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Proposal to change the prison house rental system.
Decision(s): The Minister decided that the rental value of the 13 States owned prison houses (12 three-bedroom terraced houses and the detached house that is normally reserved for the Prison Governor) should be assessed at 75% of market value for similar, privately owned properties.
Reason(s) for Decision: The method that is currently used to calculate the rent for the properties pre-dates Ministerial Government and is based on a percentage of the occupant’s gross weekly basic wage. Therefore, although the 12 terraced houses are of the same size and design, the rental charged for them varies significantly. Andium Homes currently charge 90% of the market rate for similar properties in private ownership. Because the prison houses are located adjacent to the secure perimeter of the prison and need to be occupied by prison staff, a smaller percentage of market value has been applied i.e. 75%. This increase will be phased in over the next 18 months. The residents of the properties have been advised of the proposed change.
Resource Implications: Each terraced house will ultimately yield a monthly rental of between £226 and £419 more than at present.
Action required: The Prison Governor to advise the residents of the properties of the increase in rent and to introduce it in stages, as set out in the attached report.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):