Government Plan 2020–2023 (P.71/2019): twelfth amendment [P.71/2019 Amd.(12)]

STATES OF JERSEY

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GOVERNMENT PLAN 2020–2023 (P.71/2019): TWELFTH AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 11th November 2019 by Senator K.L. Moore

STATES GREFFE

2019  P.71 Amd.(12)

GOVERNMENT PLAN 2020–2023 (P.71/2019): TWELFTH AMENDMENT ____________

PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (f)(ii) –

After the words "to the Report" insert the words ", except that, in Summary Table 6, after the line entitled "Sustainable Transport Initiatives", there shall be inserted a new line as follows, with the line entitled "Closing balance" to be amended accordingly –

".

SENATOR K.L. MOORE

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 2020–2023 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 2020 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; and
2. to approve each major project that is to be started or continued in 2020 and the total cost of each such project, in line with Article 9(2)(d),  (e)  and  (f)  of  the  Law  and  as  set  out  in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 2 to the Report; and
3. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated Fund for 2020, 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 3(i) and (ii) of the Report; and
4. to approve the estimated income, being estimated gross income less expenditure, that each States trading operation will pay into its trading fund in 2020 in line with Article 9(2)(h) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 4 to the Report; and
5. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from each States trading operation's trading fund for 2020 for each head of expenditure in line with Article 9(2)(i) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 5 to the Report; and

6. to approve –

1. the establishment of a "Climate Emergency Fund", in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Law, as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report; and
2. the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate  Emergency  Fund  for  2020  as  set  out  in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 6 to the Report, exceptthat,  in  Summary  Table 6,  after  the  line  entitled"Sustainable  Transport  Initiatives",  there  shall  beinserted a new line as follows, with the line entitled"Closing balance" to be amended accordingly –

; and

7. to approve the amounts to be transferred from one States fund to another for 2020 in line with Article 9(2)(b) as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 7 to the Report; and
8. to approve the estimated income and expenditure of the Social Security, Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Funds for 2020 set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 8(i), (ii) and (iii) to the Report, with –
   1. the estimated income to be raised from existing social security contributions defined in the Social Security Law and the proposed changes to contribution liability; and
   2. the estimated expenditure to be paid to support the existing benefits and functions defined in the Social Security Law, the Health Insurance Law and the Long- Term Care Funds and new benefits, if any, to be paid from the Funds; and

9. to approve, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2020–2023, as set out at Appendix 4 to the Report.

REPORT The purpose of the Climate Emergency Fund is –

"to support initiatives that respond to the climate emergency as declared in P.27/2019 and initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants, in line with adopted future plans or strategies for, inter alia, energy use and management, carbon reduction, sustainable transport approved by the States Assembly ".

If the Assembly adopts this amendment, it will be agreeing to support an ambitious project to develop renewable energy that will have long-term benefits for Jersey and the rest of the world.

The immediate goal is to help one man to continue to achieve his ambitions by racing with clean energy in international sailing challenges, including a round the world' yacht race, known as the Everest of the Sea'.

However, the wider objective is to invest in the development of technology that will reduce carbon emissions, particularly through sea-based transport, and also energy storage systems.

Through partnering with OceansLab, Jersey would be able to share in the knowledge that is developed through their work. There is more information available about the specific project and the partners who are already involved in the attached Appendix.

As the development of Formula One vehicles influences the progress of mechanical engineering as a whole, this project will not simply benefit one yacht, or even leisure boats, it will help to progress and hasten knowledge and technology to improve energy cell storage and the use of hydrogen power, which will have wide-reaching implications.

For  example,  one  of the  existing  partners  is  a  company  based  in  France  that  is developing hydrogen fuelled vehicles, including buses.

As an Island that relies upon shipping to receive a large percentage of our goods, supporting the development of this technology sits within the purpose of the Climate Emergency Fund and the Island's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

The partnership that could be developed with OceansLab also offers Jersey a unique opportunity to share commitment to carbon neutrality with the rest of the world, through the high-profile races that Phil Sharp will be competing in. Jersey would have its name on the sail of the yacht.

By means of background, when the Corporate Services Panel conducted focus groups regarding the Government Plan, a number of participants expressed surprise that only £3.095 million of new investment was planned for the environment, much lower than any other priority.

The Future Jersey consultation highlighted the passion that Islanders have for the environment,  and  this  Assembly  has  supported   Deputy  R.J. Ward  of   St. Helier 's proposition (P.27/2019) to declare a climate emergency and a plan to achieve carbon

neutrality by 2030. This project offers a tangible commitment to the pursuit of long- term improvements in our use of clean energy sources.

The Island has successfully sponsored teams and events such as the Jersey Reds' and the Super Tri' in order to raise profile and show our support for sporting achievements. Sailing is  an important sport here,  and a  passion that we share with our French neighbours. An Island-based consortium led by the Former President of Policy and Resources, Pierre Horsfall, successfully raised funds for Jersey to have a boat in the Times Clipper Round the World' yacht races in 2000, 2002 and 2005/6.

Financial and manpower implications

This amendment meets the demands of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 by –

1. being easily met by proposed States' finances through the Climate Emergency Fund;
2. being sustainable in the medium and long term, and will have positive effects on the outlook for Jersey by pursing the adoption of alternative energy sources for the Island and for the transportation of people and cargo;
3. promoting the sustainable wellbeing of the inhabitants of Jersey over successive generations.