Economic Stimulus Plan: Budget allocation to Housing Department for refurbishment of 80 St Marks Road

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 16 July 2010 regarding a budget allocation from the Economic Stimulus Plan to the Housing Department for the refurbishment of 80 St Marks Road

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2010-0109
Decision Summary Title:	Fiscal Stimulus Budget Allocation – Housing Department	Date of Decision Summary:	12th July 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Interim Treasurer of the States	Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written	Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Fiscal stimulus funding for refurbishment project at 80 St Marks Road	Date of Written Report:	12th July 2010
Written Report Author:	Acting Fiscal Stimulus Programme Manager	Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Economic Stimulus Plan: budget allocation to the Housing department for the delivery of a refurbishment project at 80 St Marks Road.
Decision(s): 1. The Minister approved the allocation of £464,107 to the Housing department for the project which will be transferred to the department budget as soon as possible. The allocation of £464,107 will enable the contract to be let to the contractor which submitted the preferred tender. 2. The Minister further instructed the Construction and Maintenance project group to report on spend of all stimulus monies, and project progress/performance, on a monthly basis in accordance with guidelines set by the Treasury, and return any unspent monies on completion of the project. 3. In accordance with paragraph 1 (d) of Standing Order 168, the Minister approved the drawings numbered 10340:01, 10340:02 and 10340:03, Planning Permit P/2009/1604, Building Permit Number (under Building Bye Laws (Jersey 2007)) B/2009/0871/ Property Number 13466, all showing conversion of the property from its existing configuration of 6 flats into lodging accommodation and one flat for The Shelter Trust.
Reason(s) for Decision: A discretionary fiscal stimulus allocation from the Stabilisation Fund of £44m has already been approved. The project meets the key criteria for fiscal stimulus being timely, targeted and temporary and will benefit local business and individuals. The £464,107 allocation to the project will enable the Construction and Maintenance project group to let the contract and deliver the scheme in accordance with the critical path. Under Standing Order 168 (1) (d), it is a requirement for the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve plans for the alteration of buildings where the work is to be funded wholly or partly by money voted by the States.
Resource Implications: No financial resource implications other than those explained above and in the accompanying report. No manpower resource implications.

Action required:

Treasury to be informed of decision to release necessary funds to the Housing department budget.

Signature:

Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources

Date Signed:

Date of Decision:

Economic Stimulus Plan: Budget allocation to Housing Department for refurbishment of 80 St Marks Road

Treasury and Resources

Ministerial Decision Report

Allocation of fiscal stimulus funding for refurbishment project at 80 st marks road

1. Purpose of Report

Tenders for the project to refurbish 80 St Marks road have now been returned and assessed by the Housing department and the results of that evaluation have been subject to review by the Fiscal Stimulus Steering Group (the “Steering Group”) to ensure that the Fiscal Stimulus criteria continue to be met. This paper summarises the resulting recommendation.

2. Background

The scheme was given an amber light approval from the Steering Group after the scheme demonstrated that it complied with fiscal stimulus criteria, and was a better alternative to an initial proposal to refurbish the existing premises at St James Street. The refurbishment works will bring the building up to a fit for purpose standard and with an appropriate configuration to allow it to be leased to The Shelter Trust (“Shelter” or the “Trust”). The completed property will provide Shelter with improved facilities and hostel accommodation for a larger number of people than its current premises. Now that the work has been tendered and the results reviewed, the project has demonstrated that conditions for a green light and allocation of monies to the scheme have been satisfied.

As a result of undertaking the scheme the unsuitable St James Street site currently occupied by the Trust can be freed up for alternative use or sale.

The project will provide work for local business and labour, and is scheduled to be undertaken in 2010, significantly increasing public sector spending and investment in Jersey’s infrastructure.

This paper seeks green light approval for the project.

3. Tender Process and Results

The cost of the project is £464,107 including fees and contingencies. The amount of £464,107 should be allocated to the Housing department budget as soon as possible. The allocation of £464,107 will enable the contract to be let to the contractor which submitted the preferred tender. Any unspent monies in relation to the scheme, including contingencies, are required to be returned to the fiscal stimulus programme on completion of the project.

The Housing department has followed a pre-determined process in conducting the tender which they confirm to be compliant with Financial Directions and Procurement Principles for the Fiscal Stimulus Programme. The process and outcomes have been subject to review by the Steering Group, which has resulted in the recommendation below.

5. Recommendation from the Fiscal Stimulus Steering Group

The Steering Group recommends that the Minister for Treasury and Resources allocates funding of £464,107 to the Housing department for the project. The budget allocation to the Housing department will be in the amount of £464,107, representing construction costs together with fees and appropriate contingency in order to proceed in accordance with the project’s critical path.

6. Recommendation from the Housing Minister

The Minister is also requested by the Housing Minister to accept his recommendation in respect of the plans for the alteration of 80 St Marks Road, as shown in the drawings numbered 10340:01, 10340:02 and 10340:03 and Planning Permit P/2009/1604, Building Permit Number (under Building Bye Laws (Jersey 2007)) B/2009/0871/ Property Number 13466, all showing conversion of the property from its existing configuration of 6 flats into lodging accommodation and one flat for The Shelter Trust.

7. Reason for Decision

A discretionary fiscal stimulus allocation from the Stabilisation Fund of £44m has already been approved. The project meets the key criteria for fiscal stimulus being timely, targeted and temporary and will benefit local business and individuals. The £464,107 allocation to the project will enable the Construction and Maintenance project group to let the contract and deliver the scheme in accordance with the critical path.

Under Standing Order 168 (1) (d), it is a requirement for the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve plans for the construction of buildings where the work is to be funded wholly or partly by money voted by the States.

8. Resource Implications

No financial resource implications other than those explained above.

No manpower resource implications.