Housing Paid Parking Charges Increase 2009.

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (21/11/2008) regarding: Housing Paid Parking Charges Increase 2009.

Decision Reference: MD-H-2008-0113
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Paid Parking Charges Increase 2009		Date of Decision Summary:	10th November 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Carl Mavity, Director of Estate Services		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	PUBLIC
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR – Parking Permit Charges Review for 2009		Date of Written Report:	6th November 2008
Written Report Author:	Jason English, Senior Management Accountant		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: To agree the implementation of an increase to parking permit charges with effect from the 1st January 2009.
Decision(s): The Minister approved an increase in paid parking charges of 6% generally and 23% in respect of Hue Court and Liberation Court with effect from 1st January 2009 and annually thereafter by RPI(X) based on the preceding September’s Statistical Reports issued by the States of Jersey Statistics unit.
Reason(s) for Decision: The uplift in the charges for parking permits will bring them into line with market rates and thereafter provide an agreed mechanism for subsequent annual increases.
Resource Implications: Financial: Potential increase in revenue of £25,000 per annum.
Action required: Finance Director to seek approval of the Treasury and Resources Minister for the uplift in charges from 1st January 2009 and approval of the metric proposed for subsequent annual increases. Finance Director to implement the paid parking charge increase for 1st January 2009.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Housing Paid Parking Charges Increase 2009.

DATE OF REPORT:- 6 th November 2008

REPORT TO THE MINISTER OF HOUSING

PROPOSED INCREASE IN PAID PARKING CHARGES

Purpose of the Report

To request approval for the increase in parking permit charges by 18% with effect from the 1st January 2009 and approval of a metric for subsequent annual increases.

Paid Parking Charges

The Housing Department currently issues a number of permits to allow non-residents to park on estates within the town. The charges for these permits vary between £877.00 pa in low demand out of town areas to £1,938.00 pa in the town centre. The Department is keen to ensure that this income stream is maximised and that charges are aligned with the prevailing market.

A local agent experienced in renting out parking has been consulted and advice provided has suggested that charges are generally only slightly (6%) behind the market, the existing charges for Hue Court and Liberation Court are now 23% behind the market.

The Market

Generally spaces associated with office blocks or commercial parking enterprises are attracting up to £2,500pa. However, it has to be said that this upper income level is only attracted on those sites which offer reasonably secure arrangements and where the customer has a dedicated space and is therefore guaranteed a space at all times.

The parking provision offered by the Department is slightly different. Paid parkers are afforded a permit which gives the right to park on the estate but does not provide a dedicated parking space or guarantee that the permit holder will always be able to park, although it has to be said that there have never been problems with paid parkers not being able to park due to car parks being oversubscribed. Housing estates are also not secure environments with tenants and in some areas the wider Public having ready and relatively unfettered access to car parking areas.

Section 5.18 of Financial Direction 4.1 (Increases in States Fees and Charges) defines that where property is let on the open market the rate should reflect the market conditions.

In addition Section 5.12 of Financial Direction 4.1 provides for the approval of a formula for subsequent increases in fees. In this regard the Department recommends that the Treasury and Resources Minister is requested to approve subsequent annual increases based on the RPI(X) figures published each September.

Accordingly the Department recommends an increase in parking permits fees of 6% generally and 23% in respect of Hue Court and Liberation Court with effect from the 1st January 2009. The financial impact of this increase is shown as Appendix 1.

Recommendation

That the Minister approve an increase in paid parking charges of 6% generally and 23% in respect of Hue Court and Liberation Court with effect from 1st January 2009 and annually thereafter by RPI(X) based on the preceding September’s Statistical Reports issued by the States of Jersey Statistics unit.

REPORT DRAFTED BY………………………………………………………….

Jason English, Senior Management Accountant 6th November 2008

REPORT APPROVED BY………………………………………………………..

Carl Mavity, Director of Estate Services 10th November 2008

Housing Department
Proposed Increase in Parking Permit Charges for 2009
	Hue & Liberation	23%
	General	6%		3%
Location	2008 Charge	Increase	New Charge	GST	Full Cost	Number of Permits	Exisitng Revenue	Increase in revenue	Proposed Revenue
Clos Du Fort	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	15	21,900	1,314	23,214
De Quetteville Court	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	2	2,920	175	3,095
Durban Brighton Road	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Gordon Le Breton Close	877	53	930	28	958	1	877	53	930
Hampshire Gardens	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Hue Court	1,938	446	2,384	72	2,455	34	65,892	15,155	81,047
Jane Sandeman Court	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	5	7,300	438	7,738
Jardin Du Crocquet	1,156	69	1,225	37	1,262	1	1,156	69	1,225
Journeaux Court	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	2	2,920	175	3,095
Keith Baal Gardens	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	7	10,220	613	10,833
La Collette	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Le Geyt Flats	898	54	952	29	980	1	898	54	952
Les Jardins Du Soleil	877	53	930	28	958	8	7,016	421	7,437
Leslie Sinel Close	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Liberation Court	1,460	336	1,796	54	1,850	16	23,360	5,373	28,733
Lord Coutanche Court	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Nelson House (Winchester Court)	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	1	1,460	88	1,548
Old St John's Court	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	2	2,920	175	3,095
St Mark's Gate	1,460	88	1,548	46	1,594	5	7,300	438	7,738
						105	163,439	24,979	188,418