Proposed Government Plan 2022-2025 (P.90/2021): tenth amendment. Piquet House

STATES OF JERSEY

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT PLAN 2022 - 2025 (P.90/2021): TENTH AMENDMENT

PIQUET HOUSE

Lodged au Greffe on 29th November 2021 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.90 Amd.(10)

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT PLAN 2022 - 2025 (P.90/2021): TENTH AMENDMENT

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1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

After the words "Summary table 2 to the Report," insert the words–

", except that, in Summary Table 2 the amount to be transferred to the Technology Fund shall be reduced by £100,000 in 2022 to allow for a feasibility study of Piquet House for States Members office space".

2  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)  –  2022  Revenue  Heads  of Expenditure, the Head of Expenditure for Central Planning Reserves shall be increased by £100,000 to allow for a feasibility study of Piquet House for States Members office space.

PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

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 2022 – 2025 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 2022 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 Changes to Approval for financing/borrowing for 2022, as shown in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 3 to the Report, which may be obtained by the Minister for Treasury and Resources, as and when required, in line with Article 9

(2)(c) of the Law, of up to those revised approvals;

3. to approve the transfers from one States fund to another for 2022 of up to and including the amounts set in Appendix 2 – Summary table 2 to the Report, except that, in Summary Table 2 the amount to be transferred to the Technology Fund shall be reduced by £100,000 in 2022 to allow for a feasibility study ofPiquet House for States Members office space, noting that the transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Technology Fund is subject to the Assembly's approval of a proposition to create such a Fund in 2022, in line with Article 9(2)(b) of the Law;
4. to approve each major project that is to be started or continued in  2022  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 2022 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 2022, 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) – 2022 Revenue Heads ofExpenditure, the Head of Expenditure for Central Planning Reserves  shall  be  increased  by  £100,000  to  allow  for  afeasibility study of Piquet House for States Members office space;
7. to approve up to £480 million to be appropriated from the Consolidated Fund for the Past Service Pension Liabilities Refinancing head of expenditure, subject to the availability of funding, which may include, in full or in part, use of the borrowing/financing referred in paragraph (b);
8. to approve the estimated income, being estimated gross income less expenditure, that each States trading operation will pay into its trading fund in 2022 in line with Article 9(2)(h) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 7 to the Report;
9. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from each States trading operation's trading fund for 2022 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;

10. to approve the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate Emergency Fund for 2022 as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 9 to the Report;
11. to approve an amendment to the policy of the Strategic Reserve Fund to enable that Fund to be used as a holding Fund for any or all monies related to the repayment of debt raised through external  financing,  with  the  monies  used  to  offset  the repayment of debt, as and when required; and l. to approve, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2022-2025, as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report.
12. to approve, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2022-2025, as set out at Appendix 3 to the Report.

REPORT

The Privileges and Procedures Committee has lodged this amendment in order to progress with a project to provide Members with dedicated office space. The matter was first discussed by the Committee at the beginning of the year when concerns were raised by Deputy Ward that dedicated office space was distinctly lacking for Members.

The Committee agreed that it would investigate the matter and assess the demand amongst Members for this type of provision. A survey was sent to Members which included a number of questions about the requirement for office space.

Members were asked whether they would use dedicated office space if it was provided - 23 Members said yes, 10 said they weren't sure and 3 said no. Members also provided the following views on office space:

"This is essential to do the work we are required to undertake"

"Extremely important, private space, can be shared between 2 States Members and meeting rooms"

"I think this is essential moving forward. Having a dedicated space which members can use and, crucially, make their own, by storing documents and personal items they will use, will provide a better environment to work from than the current space."

"Hard to judge in COVID times but dedicated space would be very useful especially if linked to the research assistance as a backbencher would use often if a backbencher not so much as a minister"

"Would be dependent on the quality of the space and what resources were offered around it. Would be useful to have a space in town. Any dedicated space would now be in competition with own office at home, as set up due to working from home in the pandemic"

"The current lack of reasonable space is quite embarrassing. There is a clear difference  between  the  resources  provided  for  ministerial  versus  non- ministerial members. It feels unprofessional not to have a dedicated base/office. It wastes time having to find appropriate working or meeting spaces and does not enable focused work"

"What  I  am  missing  the  most  is  private  office  space  for  meetings  with constituents or representatives"

These views demonstrate that there is clearly demand for some form of dedicated office space. Some of the requirements identified by Members as a result of the survey exercise were:

• Office space should be located in St Helier;

• There should be a combination of individual office space, shared space and open plan;

• There should be meeting room facilities for private meetings and constituency work;

• There should be sufficient storage space for documents and personal items.

In that regard, the Committee identified Piquet House as being an ideal space for this purpose, particularly given its proximity to the States Building.

The Committee discussed the prospect of Piquet House with Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) and asked whether it could be repurposed for Members' use. The Committee was advised that in order to progress this requirement, JPH would need capital funds to undertake refurbishment works and revenue funds to pay for ongoing operational costs.

The Committee is aware that Piquet House is currently being prepared for the Justice and Home Affairs Department for victim support. It is anticipated that victim support would occupy the building from Q4 2021 for 4 years (pending delivery of a new facility in the Government Plan). The Committee does not want to interfere with the plans for victim support to use the building, however, it would like to explore the option of utilising it for Members' use by 2025, when it becomes vacant.

The Committee requires £100,000 in order to undertake further exploratory work on this project. In order to acquire the funds, the Committee proposes that £100,000 is allocated from the £20 million earmarked for the formation of a Technology Fund. As the £20 million  would  transfer  from  the  Consolidated  Fund  to  the  Technology  Fund,  the Committee proposes that £100,000 should be transferred from the Consolidated Fund to Central Planning Reserves for the purposes of this project.

Financial and manpower implications

This amendment would require £100,000 to be transferred from the Consolidated Fund to Central Planning Reserves. The £100,000 would be allocated from the £20 million earmarked for the formation of a Technology Fund. The financial implications of this amendment in terms of the Technology Fund are unknown, however, the detail for the creation of this fund and the projects associated with it are due to be set out in a separate proposition.

Manpower resources would be required from Jersey Property Holdings in order to undertake the further exploratory work for this project.

In terms of future funding, the Committee has received an external cost estimate of £1.4 million to complete the project. This funding as well as additional revenue funds for ongoing operational costs would need to be identified in a future Government Plan. This work would need to be taken forward by the next Privileges and Procedures Committee.