DATE OF REPORT: - 23rd January 2012
REPORT TO THE HOUSING MINISTER
TRANSFER OF 29 ST JAMES STREET FROM
HOUSING TO JERSEY PROPERTY HOLDINGS
Purpose of Report
To seek the approval of the Minister to transfer 29 St James Street (formerly occupied by The Shelter Trust) from the balance sheet of the Housing Department to that of Jersey Property Holdings (JPH).
Background
On the 27th August 2010, the Minister for Housing approved the transfer of 29 James Street and a number of other properties providing a broadly social housing function and their associated budgets onto the balance sheet of the Housing Department from that of Jersey Property Holdings (MD-H-2010-0074 refers.); at that time 29 St James Street was occupied by The Shelter Trust.
In its day, the St James Street Hostel at 29 St James Street was capable of accommodating up to 20 clients and sat within Shelter’s operating structure at something of a halfway point between the Emergency Shelter at Kensington Place and the almost independent living provided at 19 Midvale Road.
However; as a result of its awkward layout and a decline in its physical condition, due to a lack of routine and programmed maintenance it could barely accommodate 14 clients, before it was finally recognised as being ‘unfit for purpose’.
In 2011, the facility was re-located to 80 St Mark’s Road which is a more suitable building for the services provided by the former St James Street Shelter; because it is fully compliant with fire safety regulations and will offer a significant enhancement of existing standards, accommodation is being provided for 5 more persons than were accommodated at 29 St James Street.
It is evident that 29 James Street is now economically obsolescent and is no longer providing a social housing function for the Island; it should be removed from the Housing Department balance sheet and transferred to that of JPH.
Resource Implications
There are no budgets or resource implications and no impact on either JPH or Housing’s near cash revenue account on transfer.
Recommendations
That the Minister agree to the transfer of 29 St James Street from the balance sheet of the Housing Department to that of Jersey Property Holdings with effect from 1st February 2012.
Report Prepared By:- ………………………….... Date:
David Reid
ASSET MANAGEMENT OFFICER
Report Checked By:- ………….……………….... Date:
John Hamon
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Report Approved By:- ………….……………….... Date: Carl Mavity
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT