Radio Tower, Corbiere, St. Brelade

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A decision made (27/03/2006) to confirm immediate acceptance of the property known as Radio Tower, Corbiere, St. Brelade by Property Holdings.

Subject:	Radio Tower, Corbiere, St Brelade Transfer of administration to Property Holdings
Decision Reference:	MD-PH-2006-0018	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:		10/581/1
Written Report – Title	Property Transaction Radio Tower, Corbiere St Brelade Transfer of administration to Property Holdings	Written report - author		Paul Tucker
Decision(s): To acknowledge the decision of the Minister of Economic Development reference MD-E-2006-0018 dated the 20/02/06 and to confirm immediate acceptance of the property known as the Radio Tower, Corbiere, St Brelade by Property Holdings.
Reason(s) for decision: To allow the property to be included in the Jersey Heritage Trust managed Coastal Towers and Fortifications initiative being progressed by Property Holdings.
Action required: 1 The Director of Property Holdings to inform the Minister of Economic Development and the Commercial Director, Jersey Harbours of the acceptance of the immediate transfer of administration of the property known as the Radio Tower, Corbiere, St Brelade by the Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Signature: Minister Senator T A Le Sueur			Date of Decision: 27 March 2006

Radio Tower, Corbiere, St. Brelade

TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

PROPERTY HOLDINGS

Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision - Minister for Treasury and Resources

Radio Tower Corbiere St Brelade Transfer of Administration to

Property Holdings

10/581/1

Purpose

To approve the transfer of administration of the structure known as the Radio Tower, Corbiere, St Brelade to Jersey Property Holdings in order to allow it to be included with the properties that are being refurbished and operated as holiday let accommodation through a management agreement with the Jersey Heritage Trust.

Background

The Jersey Heritage Trust has received £500,000 from the Tourism Development Fund to undertake the refurbishment of several identified Coastal Forts, Towers and other buildings which are in the Public ownership. These buildings, which include Fort Leicester, Barge Aground, L’Etaquerel Fort, La Crete, La Tour Carre, Seymour Tower, Icho Tower and Corbiere Radio Tower, are to be refurbished and operated as holiday-let or overnight ‘stone tent’ accommodation by Jersey Heritage through a fee less management agreement with Jersey Property Holdings which was signed in the latter part of last year.

As part of the agreement, Jersey Heritage will fund the refurbishment from the TDF grant within a rolling programme of building works, assisted by a contribution of direct labour in the form of stonemasons from the Transport and Technical Services Department. Jersey Heritage will retain any receipts from the holiday-lets for use in funding future maintenance on the buildings or the further refurbishment of properties identified for inclusion in the scheme.

Current Situation

Most of the identified properties were previously within the administration of the Environment and Public Services Committee and have been passed to Property Holdings, but the Radio Tower at Corbiere is in the administration of Jersey Harbours and it is necessary to transfer the administration to Jersey Property Holdings to include it within the management agreement. Initially there was some reluctance on the part of Jersey Harbours to transfer it as it was seen as a valuable asset which could be sold into the private sector to raise capital. Senator Ozouf was able to persuade Jersey Harbours that the property should remain in the Public ownership and be included in the holiday-let scheme. It is understood that bookings are already being taken by Jersey Heritage for this and other buildings during the coming summer.

The structure is being transferred without the benefit of a maintenance budget as it appears that little or no money has been budgeted by Jersey Harbours to maintain or repair the structure in recent years.

Conclusion

It is important that this structure is included within the portfolio of property which Jersey Heritage is to operate for the benefit of tourism. It will be one of the more popular locations which they will be offering for holiday let.

The cost of its refurbishment has been estimated at £80,000 - £90,000 which will be funded from the grant awarded by the Tourism Development Fund. Input into this structure by the Transport and Technical Services Department through its stonemasons labour will be minimal.

There are no other financial or manpower implications.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister supports the transfer of the Radio Tower from Jersey Harbours to Jersey Property Holdings with immediate effect to allow its inclusion in the Coastal Towers , Forts and Follies restoration, refurbishment and holiday-let scheme for the benefit of Island tourism.

Written By Paul Tucker

Signature ………………………… 17 March 2006