Budget transfer: Social Security to Housing: Rent and Income Support Increases from October 2013

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A decision made 24 July 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2013-0063
Decision Summary Title:	Budget transfer from Social Security to Housing as a result of the proposed Housing Rent and Income Support increases from October 2013		Date of Decision Summary:	16 July 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Financial Planning		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Budget transfer from Social Security to Housing as a result of the proposed Housing Rent and Income Support increases from October 2013		Date of Written Report:	16 July 2013
Written Report Author:	Head of Financial Planning		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: A budget transfer from the Social Security Department (SSD) revenue head of expenditure to the Housing Department (HSG) revenue head of expenditure amounting to £148,700 in 2013, £600,200 in 2014 and £622,300 in 2015 as a result of lower than forecast increases proposed for Income Support and Housing rents from October 2013.
Decision(s): The Minister approved a budget transfer from the SSD revenue head of expenditure to the HSG revenue head of expenditure amounting to £148,700 in 2013, £600,200 in 2014 and £622,300 in 2015 as a result of lower than forecast increases proposed for Income Support and Housing rents from October 2013. SSD are forecast to make savings in Income Support as a result of lower than forecast increases in benefit from October 2013. The department has agreed to contribute a large proportion of these savings to fund a shortfall in the forecast rental income to the HSG as a result of the lower increase in housing rents proposed from October 2013. Both increases are proposed at 2.15% compared with 3.61% forecast in the Medium Term Financial Plan (2013 – 2015).
Reason(s) for Decision: Article 2(6) of the Public Finances (Transitional Arrangements) (Jersey) Order 2011 states that all or any part of the amount appropriated by a head of expenditure may, with the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, be used for the purposes of another head of expenditure.
Resource Implications: The SSD revenue head of expenditure will decrease by £148,700 in 2013, £600,200 in 2014 and £622,300 in 2015 with a corresponding increase in the HSG revenue head of expenditure.
Action required: The Business Manager to advise the Department Finance Directors for Housing and Social Security that this decision has been approved and advise the Financial Performance Reporting Manager that the transfer can be processed.
Signature:		Position: Senator Philip Ozouf, Treasury and Resources Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: