PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Historic Building Grants Allocation 2009
Purpose of the Report
This report updates the Minister on applications for Historic Building Grants to hand at the end of June 2009, and updates him on progress on 2008 Grant aided works.
Background
Grants for the repair and restoration of registered buildings have been available since 1995. It is understood that discretionary spending is under pressure in 2009, but currently there is a budget allocation of £60,000 available to 31 December 2009.
In the past allocations and offers have been dealt with by officers, under delegation. The Minister has, however, asked that he make the decisions to award grants. In 2008 the Minister raised the issue of applicant’s ability to fund the work. It is fair to draw attention to the Countryside Renewal Scheme which does not seek clarification on affordability. Similarly a report to the then Planning Sub-committee on the subject of historic buildings grants dated 14th April 2003 noted that:-
“There was some early criticism that grants were being given to people who could well afford to carry out repairs, but the Committee has always resisted the application of means tests as these are invasive, difficult to manage and tend to create animosity, the exact opposite of the underlying purpose of the scheme.”
Whilst the issue of affordability is at issue, it is hoped the Minister will be in a position to consider this at the time of future grant offer approval and thereby allow grant offers to be made as required in 2009.
At the Minister’s request we sought clarification from the Treasury. They have confirmed that there is no facility to roll grants over at the year end.
Grant Aid in 2008
In 2008 fifteen applications for assistance were received. Of those three offers were made in May 2008. Works have been completed on these schemes. Due to the unavoidable delay in considering the Grants Review, alongside lack of responses to some further requests for information, the remaining 12 grant requests have lapsed. No further offers were made before December 2008. The spend against budget was £16,087. A detailed breakdown forms Appendix 3.
Grants in 2009
To date seven duly completed applications for Grant Aid have been received. They form Appendix 1. On receiving enquiries for Grant Aid Officers have explained future Grant Allocations will be guided by the review of Grants by the Minister. In addition there has been no promotion of the Grant Scheme this year. These issues will account for the fewer applications.
Of these Grant Applications two were continuations of second phases of extant offers and schemes. One new application from St Mathews Church has been verbally accepted by the Minister and a letter of indication sent. This report will allow the Grant Offer to be formally made if the recommendations of this Report are endorsed.
The current Offers would result in expenditure of £16,808. If all Grant Offers detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 were issued the expenditure would be £32,511. Based on the current fiscal pressure it is assumed there will be only one further grant offer in the year which will cap expenditure at £16,808.
Should financial prudence allow, it is considered beneficial and appropriate that further grant offers be made in 2009, to the total maximum value of £32,511, in relation to the remaining applications held pending
Legal and financial implications
The Minister may make funds available by way of grant to the owner or occupiers of SSIs or any other site or building where he is satisfied that it is in the public interest of so doing under Article 56 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002. The Historic Building Grant Scheme is operated in accord with the relevant Financial Codes of Direction and a budget of £60,000 is available in 2009.
Recommendations
On the basis of the above, and with regard to the assessments and recommendations at Appendix 2 relating to each application, the Minister for Planning and Environment is recommended to –
1. award a grant (£10,000) to St Mathews Church (subject to conditions):
2. subject to financial prudence and the availability of funding,
a. award additional grants up to the value of £32,511 in 2009 to Le Maison de Trodez, St Ouen; Rose Cottage, Grouville; and Ashley Court Farm, St John; and, in all cases, subject to conditions, and;
b. delegate determination of the award and amount of each additional grant, to the Assistant Director of Policy and Projects, up to the total additional value of £32,511.
Reason(s) for Decision
Those applications to be awarded grants under the Historic Buildings Grant scheme satisfy the criteria for the scheme and the restoration and repair of the historic fabric of these buildings contributes towards the attainment of the Minister’s objectives and obligations under law and international convention, as well as contributing to the objectives of the States Strategic Plan.
Action Required
The Principal Historic Environment Officer is to liaise with applicants to secure the relevant information and/or permissions before the award of grant, where relevant, and otherwise to formalise the offer of grant, subject to the normal conditions;
Written by: | Tracey Ingle, Principal Historic Environment Officer |
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Approved by: | Kevin Pilley, Assistant Director, Policy and Projects |
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Endorsed by: | |
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