Government Plan 2020–2023 (P.71/2019): fifth amendment [P.71-2019 Amd.(5)]

STATES OF JERSEY

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

Lodged au Greffe on 8th November 2019

by the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel

STATES GREFFE

2019  P.71 Amd.(5)

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

PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

After the words "of the Report" insert the words ", except that in Summary Table 3(i) the Head of Expenditure for Growth, Housing and Environment shall be increased by £125,000 to allow for greater investment in minor capital replacements within the Sport Division, with other affected lines in Summary Table 3(i) to be updated accordingly".

ECONOMIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SCRUTINY PANEL

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,except that in Summary Table 3(i) the Head of Expenditure forGrowth,  Housing  and  Environment  shall  be  increased  by£125,000 to allow  for  greater investment in  minor  capitalreplacements within the Sport Division, with other affectedlines in Summary Table 3(i) to be updated accordingly; 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; 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

Background

The Panel has reviewed the project "Sport Division – minor capital replacements". The project seeks additional investment to extend the life of gym equipment and sporting equipment at Fort Regent, Les Quennevais, Springfield, Oakfield and Langford Sports Centres. In total, the business case for the project seeks to secure –

• £125,000 in 2020

• £200,000 in 2021

• £200,000 in 2022

• £200,000 in 2023.

The Panel believes that funding should be increased in 2020 to £250,000, following a Public Hearing with the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture.

Rationale

The Panel discussed the project with the Assistant Minister (Senator S.W. Pallett), who has political responsibility for sport. The Assistant Minister told the Panel that not enough funding was being allocated to the project in 2020 –

Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture:

"We need to protect the £2 million income we get from Active. If we do not invest in our sports centres, we are going to run the risk of the Active Card scheme being put under further pressure. I do not believe it is enough. We bid for more and I am not particularly happy with what is in the Government Plan.1"

The original business case requested £250,000 per year to replace sporting equipment; however, the Panel was advised that, in order to fit within the financial envelope, a phased approached to the budget required the initial equipment replacement to be prioritised. The Assistant Minister also commented that he had been "disappointed" that the figures were cut without his knowledge –

Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture:

"I found out about them when I read this. That, for me, is not the way it should have been done. It does not give me the opportunity to argue for maintaining the level at £250,000, which was put in there originally. Even that I think would probably keep us standing still.2"

The Panel notes that there are a number of projects in the Government Plan which relate to sports facilities and encouraging people to become more active. As an example, the Panel refers to the project "Inspiring an Active Jersey", which includes a long-term framework with the following vision: "Jersey will be a healthier, more productive and

1 Public Hearing with the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture,

4th October 2019, p.62

2 Public Hearing with the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture,

4th October 2019, p.64

fairer society by being one of the most physically active populations in the world". The aims identified within this project, although commendable, will require a significant amount of investment to bring sports facilities up to standard to encourage more people to lead active lifestyles.

Conclusion

If the Government does not allocate enough funding to enhance and maintain the Island's sports provision, it will negatively impact on the Government's aim to develop a more active society. Therefore, the Panel has lodged this amendment to increase the funding in 2020 from £125,000 to £250,000, as per the original business case.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no manpower implications arising from this amendment to P.71/2019. In terms of financial implications, this amendment increases expenditure in 2020 within the Government Plan, by £125,000.