Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment.

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A decision made (05/09/2008) regarding: Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2008-0080
Decision Summary Title :	Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment		Date of Decision Summary:	4th September 2008
Decision Summary Author:	John Richardson, Chief Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment		Date of Written Report:	4th September 2008
Written Report Author:	John Richardson, Chief Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment
Decision(s): The Minister approved the comments from the Department which identified the need for long term funding for foul sewer extensions but recognised that a new funding stream would be required to sustain this level of investment.
Reason(s) for Decision: Comment on the Annual Business Plan 2009 Eleventh Amendment from Deputy J Reed.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: Formal comments to the Greffe for publication to States Members.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Comments on Annual Business Plan 2009 (P.113/2008): Eleventh Amendment.

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

RESPONSE TO ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN 2009 (P.113/2008):

ELEVENTH AMENDMENT

Transport and Technical Services has connected 86% of the island to the sewer network. The remaining 14% of the island’s households are served by septic tanks, tight tanks and private treatment facilities. The last foul sewer extension scheme was completed in 2005. Since then the department has prioritised its reduced capital allocation based on the best environmental benefit and ongoing revenue constraints. To this end the allocation of available resource on sewer infrastructure has been on maintaining the existing network and separating surface water from the foul system. The foul sewer extension programme is on hold until additional capital can be secured.

Any increase in capital funding or new funding source that enables foul sewer extensions to recommence will improve the plight of rural communities without mains drains. The first priority, however, is to secure sufficient funding to maintain and enhance the existing infrastructure. The department would require in addition to this an annual departmental budget increase of approximately £1.5m to recommence extending the sewer network over the next ten to fifteen years. The use of planning obligations alone is unlikely to be sufficient to meet this level of expenditure.

Transport and Technical Services supports the intention of this amendment and the fact that it is highlighting the problems facing the department in securing long term funding for infrastructure. Unfortunately, some other form of funding, other than funding via Planning Obligations, will be required if a long term solution is to be provided that will be sustainable for the next 10-15 years.