Government of Jersey

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 5 February 2010 regarding: Inert waste strategy - heads of capital expenditure virement.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2010-0012
Decision Summary Title :	Transport and Technical Services – Capital Virement between Heads of Expenditure.		Date of Decision Summary:	01 February 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Principal Engineer Projects		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 :	Heads Of Capital Expenditure Virement		Date of Written Report:	01February
Written Report Author:	Principle Engineer Projects		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Heads Of Capital Expenditure Virement to Inert Waste Strategy
Decision(s): The Minister approved an interim heads of capital expenditure virement of £300,000 to fund the initial costs of the Inert Waste Strategy. This will be offset by a virement back in 2011 when the capital monies for the Inert Waste Strategy project become available from the capital programme.
Reason(s) for Decision: The planning of a replacement inert waste facility will take five years or more to develop and as such it is essential that work commences in early 2010.
Resource Implications: N/A
Action required: TTS Finance Director to seek approval from the Minister for Treasury and Resources for the virement. Once approval is obtained, the Finance Director to action budget virement.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Inert waste strategy - heads of capital expenditure virement

Transport and Technical Services

Heads of capital expenditure virement

Purpose of Report

The Minister is asked to approve an interim heads of capital expenditure virement of £300,000 to fund the initial costs of the Inert Waste Strategy. This will be offset by a virement back in 2011 when the capital monies for the Inert Waste Strategy project become available from the capital programme.

Background

The Inert Waste Strategy has a capital vote of £750,000 in 2011. A virement between heads of capital expenditure will allow the forward planning which is needed to progress the initial studies.

The current capacity for the disposal of Inert Waste at La Collette is limited both by the current planning permit, which only allows infilling to the enclosing breakwater level and by the potential impingement of future development being considered as part of the East of Albert studies. It is essential for the continuing operation of the construction industry that there is adequate legitimate disposal capacity for construction and demolition waste. There is also a need for an area to carry out occasional remediation of contaminated soils, which requires extensive space for long durations away from residential areas. Incinerator ash also requires permanent disposal in a controlled site.

The calculation of the residual capacity of the La Collette site and the prediction of construction inert waste output is required in order to establish the timetable for the development of a replacement disposal facility and to ensure continuity planning. Crude estimates have indicated that the current volume of infill up to breakwater level will only be sufficient to accommodate the historical rate of incoming material until 2015. The planning of a replacement inert waste facility will take five years or more to develop and as such it is essential that work commences in early 2010.

3 Proposed Studies

3.1 To establish the remaining disposal volume available at La Collette the existing site requires detailed surveying and modelling. This work will establish the residual permitted volume at a point in time and allow continuous updating against predicted disposal inputs. A landscape study to determine a mound profile, and planting, acceptable to the Planning Minister is also required. This would allow modelling of volumes of inert filling and ash encapsulation to be determined. This will allow forward planning and a timescale for a replacement facility to be established. This modelling and associated works to commence the Inert Waste Strategy will cost in the order of £300,000.

Recommendation

That the Minister agrees a heads of capital expenditure virement of £300,000 from the Sludge Thickening vote (C2696) to the Inert Waste Strategy capital vote to support the initial studies for the Inert Waste Strategy. The Minister also agrees to the virement back of £300,000 to the Sludge Thickening Capital Budget from the Inert Waste Strategy Capital Vote in 2011. This is subject to the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources

Reason for Decision

The planning of a replacement inert waste facility will take five years or more to develop and as such it is essential that work commences in early 2010.

6. Action Required

6.1 TTS Finance Director to seek approval from the Minister for Treasury and Resources for the virement. Once approval is obtained, the Finance Director to action budget virement.

Written by:	Principal Engineer, Projects
Approved by:	Acting Director of Finance