Government Plan 2021–2024 (P.130/2020): thirteenth amendment [P.130-2020 Amd.(13)]

STATES OF JERSEY

GOVERNMENT PLAN 2021–2024 (P.130/2020): THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 30th November 2020 by Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade

STATES GREFFE

2020  P.130 Amd.(13)

GOVERNMENT PLAN 2021–2024 (P.130/2020): THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT ____________

1  PAGE 3, PARAGRAPH (j) –

After the words "Appendix 3 to the Report" insert the words –

", except that, on page 62 of Appendix 3, after the words "going to these sectors in 2022." there should be inserted the following words –

"We commit to the reinstatement of funding at the agreed rate of 1% of net revenue expenditure for 2024 and beyond.".

DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to receive the Government Plan 2021 – 2024 specified in Article 9(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 ("the Law") and specifically –

1. to approve the estimate of total States income to be paid into the Consolidated Fund in 2021 as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 1 to the Report, which is inclusive of the proposed taxation and impôts duties changes outlined in the Government Plan, in line with Article 9(2)(a) of the Law;
2. to approve the amounts to be transferred from one States fund to another for 2021, in line with Article 9(2)(b) as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 2 to the Report;
3. to approve the proposed borrowing to be obtained for 2021, in line with Article 9 (2)(c), up to and including the amount set out in Appendix 2

– Summary Table 3 to the Report;

4. to approve each major project that is to be started or continued in 2021 and the total cost of each such project and any amendments to the proposed total cost of a major project under a previously approved government plan, in line with Article 9(2)(d), (e) and (f) of the Law and as set out in Appendix 2 - Summary Table 4 to the Report;
5. to endorse the efficiencies and other re-balancing measures for 2021 contained in the Government Plan as set out in Appendix 2 Summary Table  6  and  reflected  within  each  gross  head  of  expenditure  in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 5(i);
6. to  approve  the  proposed  amount  to  be  appropriated  from  the Consolidated Fund for 2021, for each head of expenditure, being gross expenditure less estimated income (if any), in line with Articles 9(2)(g),

10(1) and 10(2) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report;

7. to approve the estimated income, being estimated gross income less expenditure, that each States trading operation will pay into its trading fund in 2021 in line with Article 9(2)(h) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 7 to the Report;
8. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from each States trading operation's trading fund for 2021 for each head of expenditure in line with Article 9(2)(i) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 8 to the Report; (i) to approve the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate Emergency Fund for 2021as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 9 to the Report;
9. to approve the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate Emergency Fund for 2021as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 9 to the Report;
10. to approve, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2021-2024, as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report, except that, on page 62 of Appendix 3, after the words "going to these sectors in 2022." there should be inserted the following words –

"We commit to the reinstatement of funding at the agreed rate of 1% of net revenue expenditure for 2024 and beyond.".

REPORT

The arts, culture, heritage, are the easy ones to cut; that is why we have to draw a line in the sand and say: "No, you will not cut below this line; this is as far as it goes."' – Deputy K. Morel , 3.5.2019

I am pleased to be able to use a quote from Deputy Morel who, I think, made one of his best speeches during the debate on the 1% for Culture, on 3rd May 2019. The Assembly consequently agreed by 27 votes to 15 "that States' revenue expenditure on the arts, heritage and culture should be increased in the proposed Government Plan 2020–23 so that it reaches a target of 1% of overall States revenue expenditure by 2022; and to request the Council of Ministers to take the steps necessary to achieve this target in bringing forward the Government Plan."

During the formulation of this revised Government plan there were attempts by the Council of Ministers to reduce funding to 0.75% of States spending, something which I had to fight for, again, before the plan was lodged whilst still in my role as Assistant Minister with delegated responsibility for Culture, Art and Heritage (CAH). I did this by making a robust representation to the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, further to which their decision was reversed.

With this is mind, I am very disappointed at what I would politely call  political shenanigans: projected spending for the culture has been reduced for 2024. I do not know why this has happened or who signed these figures off.

I also cannot fathom why there is an attempt to go against the States decision in this way.

I note there is a footnote to the table below stating that the contribution to CAH will be reviewed in order to comply with p.40/2019 in the 2023-26 government plan. But it does not explain why a <1% projection has been included for 2024, which is some £632,000 short of the full amount of the 2024 departmental net revenue expenditure (less COVID-19 spend).

I would hope it is not necessary to restate the arguments as to why proper spending in this area should be seen as an investment, and one which has a multiplier effect, not just economically, but socially, culturally and cutting across governmental portfolios and priority areas. These arguments were made very passionately and comprehensively in the many fine speeches on p.40/2019.

Fig.1

Fig.2 – P.40/2019 which was debated and passed on 3rd May 2019.

Financial and manpower implications

In honouring P.40/2019 for 2024, there will be no overall increase in the States net revenue expenditure, simply a larger amount allocated to Culture, Arts and Heritage than is allowed for in these projected figures.