Le Coin Site, St Helier: Transfer to Housing Department

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 6 August 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-PH-2012-0076
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Le Coin Site: Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department		Date of Decision Summary:	1 August 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Acting Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - Transfer of Le Coin Site From Jersey Property Holdings to Housing		Date of Written Report:	27 July 2012
Written Report Author:	Acting Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Le Coin Site, St Helier – Transfer from Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) to the Housing Department (0979-01-001)
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to the transfer of the Le Coin Site, St Helier from JPH to the Housing Department with effect from 01 August 2012.
Reason(s) for Decision: The property is identified as suitable for the development of 23 social housing apartments.
Resource Implications: The transfer has no impact on either JPH’s or Housing’s near cash revenue account on transfer. The Medium Term Financial Plan does not anticipate a receipt from the disposal of this site. JPH will continue to receive rental income on the site from TTS until vacated in April 2013.
Action required: Treasury and Resources to arrange for the asset and any associated budgets to be transferred from Jersey Property Holdings to the Housing Department’s balance sheet.
Signature:		Position: Deputy E J Noel* Assistant Minister for Treasury & Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Le Coin Site, St Helier: Transfer to Housing Department

- 1 -

Treasury and Resources

Ministerial Decision Report

Transfer of Le coin site from JERSEY property holdings to HOUSING

Purpose of Report

The Minister is asked to approve the transfer of the Le Coin site, St Helier from Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) to Housing for future development as social housing with effect from 1st August 2012.

Background

The site was a former social housing site under the administration of the Housing Department. The sixteen flat units on site were in a poor condition and in need of development.

An initial proposal was to transfer the site in 2003 to the Jersey Homes Trust to develop 23 new units of social rented accommodation, comprising a mix of one, two and three bedroom flats. However, this did not progress and the properties were demolished in 2006.

Since then the site has been utilised for private car parking and latterly for public car parking to offset the reduction in availability on the temporary Ann Court parking site. The site will be rented by TTS from 1st September 2012 until April 2013 at a sum of £3,500 per month.

Proposal

The site currently sits on JPH’s balance sheet as an asset identified for disposal as there was an expectation that it would either be developed as part first time buyer properties or sold to the adjacent landowner for incorporation into a larger scheme.

As a site suitable for the development of social housing by the Housing Department, it is appropriate that it be transferred to that department’s balance sheet.

The Housing Department will progress proposals to develop the site to provide 23 units of accommodation comprising 7 one bed, 14 two bed and two 3 bed flats that will contribute to the States provision of affordable housing. Subject to the availability of finance, development could commence in the latter part of 2013, which would provide a welcome impetus to the local construction industry and take advantage of the current low tenders achieved on similar scale developments.

The Minister will be required to consider the development proposals in detail when they are brought forward prior to tendering, in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 168 (1)(d).

Recommendation

That the Minister approves the transfer of the Le Coin Site, St Helier from JPH to Housing.

Reason for Decision

The transfer reflects the appropriate accounting treatment for the property, based on the expectation that it will be developed by the Housing Department as social housing.

Resource Implications

The transfer between two entities within the States has no impact on either JPH’s or Housing’s near cash revenue account on transfer. The rental payment from TTS until April 2013 will be received by JPH.

The Medium Term Financial Plan does not anticipate a receipt from the disposal of this site.

Report author : Interim Director JPH	Document date : 27/7/2012
Quality Assurance / Review :	File name and path: l:\finance\corporate capital\ministries\housing\hdf properties\le coin\mr transfer to housing 120726 rf.doc
MD sponsor : Treasurer