Government Plan 2021–2024 (P.130/2020): twentieth amendment [P.130-2020 Amd.(20)]

STATES OF JERSEY

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

Lodged au Greffe on 1st December 2020 by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2020  P.130 Amd.(20)

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

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (f) –

After the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report" insert the words –

", except that in Summary Table 5(ii) the overall head of expenditure shall be reduced by £1,000,000 through the removal of funding allocated to States of Jersey Police Firearms Range, and that the overall head of expenditure in Summary Table 5(i) shall be increased by £1,000,000 to allow for a grant to be given to the Sea Cadets Jersey to fund, either completely or substantially, the acquisition of new headquarters"

DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER

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, except that in Summary Table 5(ii)the overall head of expenditure shall be reduced by £1,000,000 throughthe removal of funding allocated to States of Jersey Police Firearms Range, and that the overall head of expenditure in Summary Table 5(i)shall be increased by £1,000,000 to allow for a grant to be given to theSea  Cadets  Jersey  to  fund,  either  completely  or  substantially,  theacquisition of new headquarters;
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;
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; and
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.

REPORT

The Jersey Sea Cadets (TS Undaunted) is a uniformed, charitable youth organisation dedicated to the development of young people aged between 10 and 18 years of age. Although it is not controlled by the Royal Navy it operates in partnership with the Royal Navy under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which gives cadets access to a unique range of activities and facilities not available to non-uniformed organisations.

The aim of the sea cadets is to give young people an experience that will help them grow into the people they want to be in a safe and friendly environment. Through a range of activities – sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, rock climbing, music and camping – and activities as  attending  camps  in  the  UK,  visiting  Royal  Navy  establishments  and warships and crewing the Royalist sailing ship - the cadets learn teamwork, respect. loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline, and honesty.

TS Jersey was formed in 1949 and was based at Fort Regent in different accommodation until the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1969 a Royal Marine Cadet unit was formed for 13 to 18 year olds.

In 1970 a new HQ (headquarters) owned by the States was built on the Fort Regent site and the unit moved in 1971 and was given a promise that they would always have a home. they were, however, given notice to quit in 1982 and 1992 as the site was wanted by the States for other purposes. Since then, they have considered themselves in temporary accommodation whilst the States look to re-locate them.

Over the years the States has failed to maintain the external fabric of the building and it was deemed unsafe in 2019 after water ingressed through the roof and mixed with electrical equipment. Asbestos was also found in the building.

In November 2020 it was announced by the Minister for Home Affairs that the unit would be housed temporarily in the old Rouge Bouillon Police Station and that a search for new headquarters would be started again.

Although the unit is grateful for the support, they fear, as do their supporters, that the old Rouge Bouillon Police Station will become extended temporary accommodation until such time as the States decide they want to develop the site for housing, or as an extension to Rouge Bouillon school or for some other use. This fear is based on the fact that no funds have been allocated in the Home Affairs budget in the Government Plan for new headquarters

The purpose of the Amendment

The purpose of this amendment is to transfer £1 million pounds from the Home Affairs budget to the Sea Cadets to enable a search for a new site to commence immediately, for architectural drawings to be drafted and to commence construction of a dedicated sea cadet unit without delay.

Over the last three decades or more the States have repeatedly failed to honour its commitment to the Sea Cadets and the children who make up its membership and have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds in wasted collaborative efforts. The Government and the States have promised to "Put Children First". It is time to stop talking and to

walk the walk and finally deliver a new dedicated headquarters for the Sea Cadets. Or is it just another promise to be broken?

Financial and manpower implications

It is my contention that the Home Affairs Department ("the Department") is buying a gold-plated firing range for the States of Jersey Police for its £1.2 million and that the money could be better used for the Sea Cadet unit.

In addition, as the Department can also obtain the funds it needs for the firing range from other sources not available to most other departments i.e. the ring-fenced Criminal Offences Confiscation Fund, (which is earmarked for anything that is used for the reduction or suppression crime) they can easily replace the money that I wish to transfer from their budget to the Sea Cadets for the reasons stated above.