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

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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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 11 October 2018:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2018-0159
Decision Summary Title:	Application in principle under Article 15 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012		Date of Decision Summary:	8th October 2018
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Director of Social Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title:	Application in principle under Article 15 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012		Date of Written Report:	8th October 2018
Written Report Author:	Assistant Director of Social Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: The temporary change in the housing category of specified units of dwelling accommodation at Convent Court which will be known as Plaisant Court from a date to be determined in the future, Val Plaisant, St. Helier, under Article 15 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012.
Decision(s): The Assistant Chief Minister agreed to a temporary change in the housing category of specified units of dwelling accommodation at Convent Court which will be known as Plaisant Court from a date to be determined in the future, Val Plaisant, St. Helier, under Article 15 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Assistant Chief Minister, having consulted and on receipt of the support of the Ministers for Health & Social Services, Children and Housing and Treasury & Resources, has determined that the temporary change in the housing category for the specified units was justified, for the reasons set out in the accompanying written report.
Resource Implications: The cost of providing this accommodation amounts to a maximum of £47,489.52 per month, which will be offset by rental charges to staff occupying the accommodation as set out in the report; the balance being met by the Department.
Action required: Having consulted and on receipt of the support of the Ministers for Health & Social Services, Children and Housing and Treasury & Resources, the Housing Control Manager is to inform the Health and Social Services Department and Andium Homes Limited of the decision.
Signature: Connétable Chris Taylor		Position: Assistant Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Convent Court - Specified Residential Units, Val Plaisant, St. Helier: Temporary Change of Housing Category under Article 15 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012

Purpose of Report

To provide background context in support of the request for the Assistant Chief Minister to amend the housing category of 48 units of accommodation within Convent Court [1] so that the identified properties are able to house licensed locum and agency key workers.

Background and Reason for Decision

The Future Hospital project requires the demolition of both Westaway Court and Peter Crill House, these buildings currently provide a sizable proportion of the Health and Community Services Department’s temporary accommodation both for locum and agency staff. The current condition of these buildings is such that they are not suitable for long term use as key worker accommodation. Moreover this reclassification of accommodation is required in any event due to the Health and Community Services Department’s accommodation being usually oversubscribed. This places a pressure upon the Health and Community Services Department to secure a temporary alternative solution to meet the housing requirements of these short term locum and agency staff.

The reason for this decision is to enable the occupation of accommodation by short term licenced key workers which includes Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers and other key children’s workforce professionals that are essential for the continuation of the delivery of vital services to the island. These workers are to be transferred into refurbished Andium Homes Limited housing at Convent Court that is of a suitable standard favourably comparable to keyworker accommodation provided by NHS trusts in the UK.

Convent Court provides the required mix of accommodation necessary for the housing of locum and agency staff contracted to deliver essential services within the island. It consists of a range of studio and 2 bedroom accommodation and would total 48 units – See Appendix 1.

Due to various factors, it is difficult to forecast the future accommodation requirements of the aforementioned staff groups. It may be necessary to increase the specific units required in the event the number of or size of accommodation required by individual locum or agency staff changes; further work to develop an understanding of key worker accommodation needs is already underway.

Recommendation

The Assistant Chief Minister is recommended to approve the amendment to the classification of accommodation for the above described dwelling accommodation within Convent Court from Qualified to Registered in accordance with Article 15(1) of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012. Under the law an owner of a unit of dwelling accommodation may apply to the Minister to change the housing category of the unit of dwelling accommodation or to specify or vary the conditions relating to the housing category of the unit of dwelling accommodation.

Under Article 15(3), the Minister may, of his or her own motion, or following an application under paragraph (1), make a determination relating to any of the following –

(a) a change in the categorization of a unit of dwelling accommodation;

(b) specification or a variation of the conditions relating to the housing category of a unit of dwelling accommodation.

Article 15(7) states that in making a determination under paragraph (3), the Minister shall have regard to any relevant factors relating to the supply and demand of housing, particularly in relation to the interests of persons with Entitled status and may have regard to any other factors he or she considers relevant.

Resource Implications

The cost of providing this accommodation amounts to a maximum of £47,489.52 per month, which will be offset by rental charges to staff occupying the accommodation, the balance being met by the Department. (see appendices 1&2 below)

Appendix 1

The numbers highlighted in yellow reflect the flats that could be made available for Key Worker accommodation.

6. Appendix 2

Policy for Accommodation charges

Role	Housing Quals	Rent subsidy	Service Costs
FY1	Registered	100%	TBC
FY2	Registered	100%	TBC
Clinical Fellows/GP trainees	Registered	100%	TBC
Staff Grades & Associate Specialists	Licensed	0%	TBC
All locums and agency staff	Registered	0%	TBC
AHPs	Licensed	0%	TBC
Nursing staff (Sisters, Staff Nurses on permanent contracts)	Licensed	0%	TBC

[1] Convent Court will in the future be known as Plaisant Court