Treasury and Resources
Ministerial Decision Report
Creation of St Mary’s School Capital Head of Expenditure and allocation from the Central Planning Vote to the newly created capital head of expenditure to fund a feasibility study
- Purpose of Report
To enable the Minister to approve the creation of the St Mary’s School Capital Head of Expenditure and the allocation of up to £190,000 from the Central Planning Vote to the newly created capital head of expenditure to fund a feasibility study.
- Background
St Mary’s School dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Since construction the school has had additional builds, the first one in 1901, the second in 1929, and the latest in the mid-1970s. The school is now in need of refurbishment, and it falls below the standards expected of Jersey primary schools, particularly in relation to acoustics, thermal efficiency, disabled access and ancillary support rooms. This capital request will not only bring the school up to the required standards, but will also future proof the school for many years to come in terms of size, maintenance and facilities available for improved teaching and learning.
In order to allow the project to commence promptly in 2018 (subject to 2018 Budget approval) feasibility works need to be undertaken in 2017. The funding requested here will allow the feasibility works to be undertaken.
3. Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the creation of the St Mary’s School Capital Head of Expenditure and the allocation of up to £190,000 from the Central Planning Vote to the newly created capital head of expenditure to fund a feasibility study.
4. Reason(s) for Decision
In accordance with States of Jersey policy and the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, funding for work to scope or access the feasibility of proposed capital projects that the States have agreed, in principle, will start in the future must be allocated from the Central Planning Vote.
Article 10(3A) of the Public Finances (Jersey) 2005 states that a draft budget may seek the approval of the States, for the financial year to which it relates, to a capital head of expenditure (a “central planning vote”) to fund work to scope or assess the feasibility of proposed capital projects that the States have agreed, in principle, will start in the future.
Article 16(3A) of the Public Finances (Jersey) 2005 states that the approval by the States of a central planning vote authorizes the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve –
(a) capital heads of expenditure to fund work to scope or assess the feasibility of proposed capital projects that the States have agreed, in principle, will start in the future; and
(b) the transfer of amounts to such capital heads of expenditure, for such purposes, from the central planning vote.
MD-T-2017-0066 was signed by the Minister for Infrastructure on 31st July 2017.
- Resource Implications
The budget for the newly created capital head of expenditure for St. Mary’s School Capital Head of Expenditure will increase by up to £190,000, and the Central Planning Vote will decrease by the same amount.
This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure that would be approved by the States for the school refurbishment and, following approval by the States of capital funding, the amount received for the feasibility study will be transferred back to the CPV in the year in which capital funds are allocated. If, however, the States should decide not to approve the capital project, then it would be the responsibility of the Education Department to repay the CPV from alternative sources of funding.
This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States in the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016 to 2019.
Report author : Head of Decision Support | Document date :21st September 2017 |
Quality Assurance / Review : Director of Financial Planning and Performance | File name and path: L:\Treasury\Sections\Corporate Finance\Ministerial Decisions\DS, WR and SD\2017-0104 - St. Mary's School Central Planning Vote £190k |
MD sponsor: Director of Financial Planning and Performance |