States Minutes 15th May 2001

THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 15th May 2001 at 9.30 a.m. under

the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Sir Philip Bailhache .

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, K.B.E, C.B., was present

All members were present with the exception of -

Senator Paul Vincent Francis Le Claire - ill

John Baudains Germain, Connétable of St. Martin - ill

Stanley John Le Cornu, Connétable of St. Clement - ill

Henry George Coutanche, Connétable of St. Lawrence - out of the Island Frederick John Hill, Deputy of St. Martin - ill

Prayers

Tribute to the late Mr. Ronald Winter Blampied, former member of the States

The Bailiff paid tribute to the late Mr. Ronald Winter Blampied, former Deputy of St Helier. The States observed one minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Royal Visit - States' meeting in Howard Davis Park

THE STATES agreed that they should meet on 13th July 2001 to receive Her Majesty The Queen in Howard Davis Park.

Subordinate legislation tabled

The following enactments were laid before the States, namely -

Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Amendment No. 5) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & 0 81/2001.

Employment of Children (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2001. R  &  O 82/2001.

Diseases of Animals (Foot and Mouth - Restrictions No. 4A) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & O 83/2001. Diseases of Animals (Foot and Mouth - Restrictions No. 3B) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & O 84/2001. Social Security (Collection of Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & O 85/2001. Criminal proceedings (Computation of Sentences) (Amendment) (Jersey) Rules, 2001. R & O 86/2001. Court of Appeal (Remuneration of Ordinary Judges) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & O 87/2001.

Royal Court (Remuneration of Commissioners) (Jersey) Order 2001. R & O 88/2001.

Agriculture and Fisheries Committee - resignation of member

THE STATES noted the resignation of the Connétable of St. Clement from the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee.

Agriculture and Fisheries Committee: appointment of member

THE STATES appointed the Connétable of St. John as a member of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee.

Harbours and Airport Committee - resignation of member

THE STATES noted the resignation of Deputy J.J. Huet of St. Helier from the Harbours and Airport Committee.

Matters presented

The following matters were presented to the States -

International Conventions and Agreements: progress report for the period 1st October 2000 to 31st March 2001 - R.C.18/2001.

Presented by the Policy and Resources Committee.

Probation and After-Care Service Annual Report 2000 and Business Plan 2001. Presented by the Home Affairs Committee.

Public Access to Official Information: annual report for 2000. - R.C.19/2001. Presented by the House Committee.

Convent Court, Val Plaisant/David Place and Philips House, Victoria Street, St. Helier : deed of arrangement (P.62/2001): comments - P.62/2001 Com.

Finance and Economics Committee.

Draft Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (No. 2) (Jersey) Act 200-. (P.70/2001) - comments - P.70/2001 Com. Finance and Economics Committee.

Draft Act amending further the Act of the States dated the 4th day of December 1990, establishing a Scheme to provide compensation for victims of crimes of violence (P.71/2001) - comments - P.71/2001 Com.

Finance and Economics Committee.

Committee of Inquiry: Jersey Motor Transport Company (1987) Limited (P.72/2001) - report - P.72/2001 Rpt. Public Services Committee.

The following matters were presented on 1st May 2001 -

Audit Commission Report: Review of the Levels of Sickness Absence in the Public Sector. Presented by the Finance and Economics Committee.

Projet de Loi (200-) (Amendement No. 9) réglant la procédure criminelle (P.37/2001): report - P.37/2001 Rpt. Presented by the Legislation Committee.

The following matters were presented on 8th May 2001 -

Jersey Aero Club Lease: lease of land (P.56/2001): comments - P.56/2001 Com. Presented by the Finance and Economics Committee.

Consumer Protection Strategy - R.C. 17/2001.

Presented by the Industries Committee.

THE STATES ordered that the said reports be printed and distributed.

Matters noted - land transactions

THE STATES noted an Act of the Finance and Economics Committee dated 30th April 2000 recording the following decisions of the Treasurer of the States under delegated powers, in pursuance of Standing Orders relating to certain transactions in land -

1. as recommendedby the PublicServicesCommittee, the entering into of a DeedofArrangement with Lexus Limitedin respect ofthegrantofaccess rights over that part of the RailwayWalk required to provide access and egress from the rearofthepropertyknownasPortofinoRestaurant, St. Aubin, St. Brelade , agreement therefor beingon the basis that a contract had been passed before the RoyalCourt on 16th June 2000 in relation to the aforementioned property between the Committee and OBY Consultants Limited (the previous owners) granting, inter alia, various service rights in exchange for a consideration of£5,000, and that as the abovementionedaccessrightsshouldhave been requested and have formed part of the previous contract, no additional fee would be required in relation to the passing ofthe present contract, although Lexus Limited (the current ownerof the property) would be responsible for the paymentofreasonablelegalfeesandexpenses incurred by the publicin relation to this transaction;
2. as recommendedby the HarboursandAirportCommittee, the lease to Jersey Telecom of the GSM site at FortRegentSignal Station, St. Helier (Letting No. FR1), for a further periodof nine years from 1st January 2001,atanannualrentof £7,800 subject to triennial review, with eachpartybeingresponsible for its own legal costs arising from this transaction;
3. as recommendedbythe Sport, Leisure and Recreation Committee,the lease to the Grainville Tennis Club ofthe club house and six playing courtsat the Grainville Sports Ground,St. Saviour, for a period of two years from 1st January 2001atanannual rent of £5,800 for 2001 and £5,950 for 2002, payable annually on 30th June eachyear,with all otherterms and conditionstoremainas the previous lease with the EducationCommittee,onthe basis that each party would beresponsiblefor its ownlegal costs associated with the transaction;
4. as recommendedbytheHealthand Social Services Committee, the renewal of the lease from Mr. EdwardGordonWeekesof the propertyknown as 16Magnolia Gardens, La Route de St. Aubin, St. Lawrence, for a periodofone year from 1st February 2001 with an option to renew,at a revised annual rent of £19,999.99, payable quarterly in advance, with annualrent increases tobe in line with the Jersey Retail Price Index as at1st February eachyear, with all other terms and conditions toremain the same as the existing lease, on the basis that eachparty would be responsible for the paymentof its own legal costs arising from the transaction.

Matters lodged

The following matters were lodged "au Greffe" -

Draft Public Order (Jersey) Regulations 200- P.75/2001. Presented by the Home Affairs Committee.

Mont St. Clair, Belvedere Hill, St. Saviour and Mascot Motors Garage, Georgetown Park Estate, St. Clement : Exchange of Land.  P.76/2001.

Planning and Environment Committee.

States Auditors - further extension of contract. P.77/2001.

Finance and Economics Committee.

The following matters were lodged on 1st May 2001 -

Draft Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 200- (P.50/2001): third amendments - P.50/2001 Amd.(3). Presented by Deputy C.J. Scott Warr en of St. Saviour.

Draft Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 200- (P.50/2001): fourth amendments - P.50/2001 Amd.(4). Presented by Deputy P.N. Troy of St. Brelade .

Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority: appointment of member and Chairman - P.73/2001. Presented by the Industries Committee.

The following matter was lodged on 8th May 2001 -

States members income support and expense allowance: annual increases - P.74/2001. House Committee.

Arrangement of public business for the present meeting

THE STATES confirmed that the following matter lodged "au Greffe" would be considered at the present meeting -

Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority: appointment of member and Chairman - P.73/2001. Lodged: 1st May 2001.

Industries Committee.

Arrangement of public business for the next meeting on 22nd May 2001

THE STATES agreed to meet on 29th May 2001 and confirmed that the following matters lodged "au Greffe" would be considered at that meeting -

Fireworks: restrictions on sale - petition. P . 2 5 /2 0 0 1 . Lodged: 13th February 2001.

Deputy J.L. Dorey of St. Helier .

Fireworks: restrictions on sale - petition (P.25/2001): report. P.25/2001 Rpt. Presented: 24th April 2001.

Home Affairs Committee.

Convent Court, Val Plaisant/David Place and Philips House, Victoria Street, St. Helier: deed of arrangement. P.62/2001.

Lodged: 10th April 2001.

Housing Committee.

Convent Court, Val Plaisant/David Place and Philips House, Victoria Street, St. Helier: deed of arrangement (P.62/2001): comments. P.62/2001 Com.

Presented: 15th May 2001.

Finance and Economics Committee.

Beresford House, Bellozanne, St. Helier: variation of terms of lease.  P.66/2001 (re-issue). Lodged: 17th April 2001.

Public Services Committee.

Draft Act further amending the Act of the States dated the 18th day of June 1991 establishing a Scheme to subsidise certain dental care.  P.69/2001.

Lodged: 24th April 2001.

Employment and Social Security Committee.

Draft Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (No.  2) (Jersey) Act 200-.  P.70/2001. Lodged: 24th April 2001.

Legislation Committee.

Draft Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (No. 2) (Jersey) Act 200-. (P.70/2001) - comments. P.70/2001 Com.

Presented: 15th May 2001.

Finance and Economics Committee

Committee of Inquiry: Jersey Motor Transport Company (1987) Limited.  P.72/2001. Lodged: 24th April 2001.

Deputy A. Breckon of St. Saviour .

Committee of Inquiry: Jersey Motor Transport Company (1987) Limited (P.72/2001) - report. P.72/2001 Rpt.

Presented: 15th May 2001.

Public Services Committee.

Draft Public Order (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.75/2001. Lodged: 15th May 2001.

Home Affairs Committee.

Projet withdrawn under Standing Order 17(6)

THE STATES noted that in accordance with Standing Order 17(6) the following matter had been withdrawn -

Housing strategy 1999 - 2003 - P.148/99. Lodged: 5th October 1999.

Housing Committee.

JD Edwards IT system being installed in the States Treasury - question and answer (Tape No. 646)

The Deputy of St. John asked Senator Frank Harris on Walker , President of the Finance and Economics Committee, the following question -

"Currently the Treasury is having a JD Edwards IT System installed. Would the President confirm that this work is on time and on budget and give the contract price for this work?"

The President of the Finance and Economics Committee replied as follows -

"T  h e JD Edwards system is being installed to replace the 12 year old Millennium financial system, which is

currently used by all States Departments for the processing and recording of the majority of the States financial transactions including invoice payments and debt management. This system will no longer be supported by the software supplier from the end of 2002. Failure to secure a replacement would compromise the financial integrity of the States. The JDEdwards system will also replace or enhance approximately 140 States wide financial, purchasing, stores and asset management systems.

In M arch 1998 my Committee agreed the Financial Information Systems Strategy at an estimated cost of up

to £6 million. At that stage the estimated completion date was January 2002 and funding was approved at the

1999 IS/IT Decision Conference.

D i ff iculties in securing appropriate staff have had a significant impact on the pace of development of this

project. The serious shortage of public sector IT and finance staff, resulting from local market conditions and uncompetitive rates of States' pay, has been exacerbated by a shortage of specialist skills not only in Jersey but also in the United Kingdom.

M y Committee has been kept regularly and fully updated on the Project's status and progress. After a re-

assessment of the project by an independent expert, who endorsed the Strategy of replacing the multitude of States systems with the integrated JD Edwards package, my Committee has agreed to phase the project over a more realistically achievable timescale and in keeping with the original estimate. Following this review, a revised, detailed Project Plan is being developed which will identify the revised scope and timescale of the project. Any further extensions to the system would be on the basis of a separate cost/benefit analysis to ensure that the best long-term value for money option is selected and be subject to funding being approved."

2001 census - question and answers (Tape No. 646)

The Deputy of St. John asked Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Helier, President of the Etat Civil Committee, the following question -

"W  o uld the President advise -

(a ) whether every household has received and returned its census form?

(b ) how many, and of what nature, were the checks carried out to verify every person has been included on

a census form with special emphasis on those in lodging houses or private lodgings?

(c ) on the checks carried out to ensure forms have been accurately completed?

(d ) whether Jersey is likely to experience the same problems as the United Kingdom where computers are

unable to read certain forms?

(e ) why the census was held so early in the year i.e. before seasonal workers would be residing in the Island and does he agree that the Committee has missed the opportunity to gain valuable information?"

The President of the Etat Civil Committee replied as follows -

(a) The Census is the largest operation undertaken by the States and involves communication with all members of our Island Community.

I n a n s w e r to this task, every household or possible household, identified by our enumerators, and those

who contacted our help desk to say they had not had one, have received forms. A total of 36,627 household forms have been delivered. By yesterday, Monday 14th May, 34,459 household forms had been received at the Census Office. This is a response of 94  per cent- a very satisfactory achievement for this stage in the exercise, two months after census day. Although these numbers are not the final numbers of households in the Island, observers will note they are appreciably more than the previous census. This is perhaps the first indication we have as to the success of the 2001 Census campaign, although I would stress that no-one should regard these figures as final.

T h  e s h o rtfall, currently 2,168 household forms, are being actively pursued by the census team. They

include -

( i) h o u seholds who have been away throughout the period since census day;

( ii ) p r e mises which were thought possibly to be occupied but were in fact vacant on census day; ( ii i) h o useholds who are still having difficulty in completing their forms;

( iv ) h o u seholders who refuse to complete their forms.

T h e ce n sus process continues and all these cases are being followed up. As a result we are still

receiving a daily delivery of completed forms.

T h e r e w  ill be a cut-off date when the last batch of forms is sent for processing. The official population

figure will be based on those returns. A sample survey of vacant dwellings, plus estimates of the number of homeless plus outstanding non-returns will provide an estimate of the extent of under- enumeration. We are confident that this will be a low figure. We intend to publish for the first time an under-enumeration statistic.

H  o u se h o lders who have so far refused to complete a form are still being encouraged to do so. As a last

resort persistent refusals could be prosecuted.

(b ) An accurate and complete Census relies on each household receiving, completing and returning their

forms. This has been achieved through contacts being made with householders when the forms were delivered. Enumerators ascertained the number of people in each household when they made their visits. Detailed records were kept and it is from these records that the office staff are able to verify the accuracy of the returns.

I t w  as r ecognised at the planning stage that the enumeration of lodgers and lodging houses would be

difficult. A dedicated team of enumerators led by a knowledgeable Supervisor has therefore had specific responsibility for lodging houses and communal establishments.

T h e L o d ging House Association has co-operated fully with the census team and provided the number

of guests in their lodging houses prior to the delivery of forms. They also designated keepers to assist the team and help residents complete and return their forms. The lodging house team kept accurate records which are now being used to make contact with lodging houses and community establishments as necessary. It should be noted that in this census lodging house residents and residents of staff accommodation living as separate households are being enumerated as such. This is expected to result in an increase of some 2,000 households over the 1996 figure. This accounts for part of the increased number of households I have already mentioned.

(c ) A team of clerical staff check each form to ensure that they are completed accurately and consistently.

Where there is doubt and it is thought households may have misunderstood a particular question, they are being contacted to ensure a high degree of accuracy.

(d ) After a great deal of research and investigation the Jersey team rejected the possibility of computer

reading of the forms on grounds of accuracy and cost. The United Kingdom problems therefore cannot arise.

( e ) The census date of 11th March 2001 was selected deliberately to enumerate the resident (stable)

population and avoid giving undue weight to the transient population. Information regarding seasonal workers is available from the quarterly Manpower Survey.

T  h e m o re important point is that Jersey has historically carried out its Census in March. Keeping a

similar date to past censuses is vital for comparison and trend purposes.

I u tt e rl y reject any suggestion that an opportunity has been missed. The 2001 Census is a partnership

between all States Departments. It will produce statistics which the States will be able to use confidently for the next five years."

Funding of the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee - question and answer (Tape No. 646)

The Deputy of St. John asked Senator Nigel Lewis Quérée, President of the Planning and Environment Committee, the following question -

"W  o uld the President inform members -

(a ) of the sources of funding of the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee?

(b ) whether the accounts for this group have been audited by the Finance and Economics Committee, and

with what result?"

The President of the Planning and Environment Committee replied as follows -

"( a ) Sources of funding for the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee.

T h e w o r k of the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee is financed from the States capital budget.

I n it s 1 9 9 5 Strategic Policy Review - 2000 and beyond, the States of Jersey gave the Planning and

Environment committee the responsibility to develop a programme of urban renewal'. It awarded a planning vote of £100,000 in 1996 and £400,000 in 1997 for this purpose. For the period 1998 to 2001 a sum of £500,0000 has been allocated annually in the States Capital Budget toward the Urban Renewal Programme.

I n a d d i t io n, the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee worked in partnership with other agencies to deliver

projects and has received £85,000 from the Tourism Investment Fund for environmental improvement work of First Tower Café, £4,000 from Arlington Properties for the erection of the St. Paul's Arch when a suitable site is found and £300 from the Association of Jersey Architects for the Snow Hill workshop. The Urban Renewal Sub-Committee lent £75,000 to the Waterfront Enterprise Board for the refurbishment of Havre des Pas Bathing Pool to enable the project to start without delay. This was repaid in 2000.

(b ) An Audit of the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee was undertaken in July 2000 by the Audit and Risk

Management Division of the States Treasury. The scope of the Audit was to carry out an evaluation of the existing systems, procedures and controls with the objective of assessing their adequacy and making recommendations for improvement where necessary. While part of this process was to reconcile actual expenditure from 1996 to date, with the Treasury Millennium Ledger, there was no audit of individual projects.

T h e o v e rall conclusion and assessment of controls currently in place within the operation and

administration of the Urban Renewal Programme was considered adequate, and reconciliation of actual expenditure with the Millennium Ledger achieved. The report was published in December 2000.

T  h e U  rb a n Renewal Sub-Committee and Planning and Environment Committee have accepted the

recommendations contained in the report and have advised the Treasury to this affect. The necessary actions stemming from the audit are presently being implemented and will be subject to review in July 2001."

Changes to the Union Street/York Street junctions - question and answer (Tape No. 646)

Deputy Gerard Clifford Lemmens Baudains of St. Clement, asked Senator Nigel Lewis Quérée, President of the Planning and Environment Committee, the following question -

" O n 27th March 2001 I asked a question of the President of the Public Services Committee about

alterations to the Union Street/York Street junction and was advised that my question should have been addressed to the President of the Planning and Environment Committee as the works were being promoted by the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee. Would the President therefore advise members -

(a ) with reference to the plans, what changes are being considered in light of the comments made at the

mobile exhibition trailer' parked at the Cenotaph?

(b ) whether, in future, conventional public meetings will be called to advise the public of the Committee's

proposals rather than the roadshow' used to advertise the Union Street/York Street plans, as the latter gives little opportunity for the motorist to have an input and is therefore biased towards the pedestrian."

The President of the Planning and Environment Committee replied as follows -

" (a ) The Planning and Environment and the Public Services Committees considered the response to the public consultation exercise undertaken in respect of Phase One of the St. Helier Street Life Programme, sponsored by the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee, on 12th and 30th April respectively.

I n g e n e r al, there was much public support for the proposed changes. There were also a number of very

constructive comments made about how the proposed scheme might be improved, and the following changes have now been agreed by both Committees.

P e d e s tr i an crossing facilities

U n i o n Street  can be  difficult  for  pedestrians  to  cross.  This  point  was  strongly  made during  the

consultation exercise. A new light-controlled pedestrian crossing will now be provided as part of Phase One. The new crossing will be situated just to the east of the junction of Old Street and Union Street.

T h e n e e d for crossing facilities outside the Town Hall and at the junction of Dumaresq Street and York

Street was also expressed during the consultation exercise. These needs are recognised and work will be undertaken to try and provide crossing facilities here as part of Phases Two and Three of the programme.

P a v e m en t widening

T h e p a v ement along the northern side of Union Street has been widened in part but not along its whole

length. This widening will now be continued along the full length of this section of pavement to provide pedestrians with more space and to provide residents, whose front doors open directly on to the street, with more protection from the road. This will be included as part of Phase One.

U  n lo a d i ng bays

C  o m m e nt was received about the need to maintain the unloading bay in The Parade, for the use of

businesses here. The bay will remain and will not be affected by the proposed changes. The potential abuse of the bay, to the detriment of local businesses, will be examined and the possibility of imposing a time restriction on its use, thereby permitting stricter enforcement of its use, investigated. This is to be the subject of consultation with local businesses.

S e r v ic e access

D  if f ic u l ties of access for large delivery vehicles in Dumaresq Street, as a consequence of on-street

parking on both sides of the road, was noted during the consultation exercise. To overcome this difficulty, two on-street parking spaces in Dumaresq Street, adjacent to the entrance to St. Paul's Gate, will be extinguished.

O  n -s t re e t parking spaces

A  p p ro x i mately 15 one hour on-street car parking spaces will be lost as a result of the proposed changes to Union Street. Concern was recorded at the loss of provision. Work will, however, be undertaken to

minimise the extent of on-street parking provision lost in the locality by investigating the provision of further on-

street provision in Hue Street, as part of Phase Two of the programmes.

I t i s r e le vant to note that Phase One works commenced on 10th May and are due to be completed by

17th June 2001.

( b ) At some stage in each journey, everyone becomes a pedestrian. For the motorist this might, for

example, involve a walk from a car park to a conventional' public meeting or to a mobile exhibition trailer': it is considered that neither form of consultation venue is biased towards people using any particular mode of travel.

W it h r egard to further public consultation exercises associated with the Urban Renewal Sub-

Committee's Street Life Programme, it is not proposed to call conventional' public meetings. It is considered that by offering a range of opportunities for people to comment over a reasonable period of time either by telephone, e-mail, letter or through discussion with officers at informal open surgeries, such as that held recently at The Cenotaph, a more constructive and open dialogue with people is achieved.

T h e n e x t phase of the Street Life programme is, however, centred around Hue Street, Dumaresq Street

and York Street and, to promote motorist' participation and any perceived bias towards the pedestrian, the possibility of siting the mobile exhibition trailer' in Hue Street car park will be examined."

Alterations to roads and pavements in St. Helier - questions and answers (Tape No. 646)

Deputy Gerard Clifford Lemmens Baudains of St.  Clement, asked Deputy Alan Simon Crowcroft of St.  Helier President of the Public Services Committee, the following questions -

" 1 .  I n relation to the alterations being carried out at the La Motte Street/St. Saviour's Road junction, would the President -

( a ) a d v ise members what public consultation took place?

( b )  e x p lain the thinking behind building a pavement at the bottom of Grosvenor Street directly in

the way of oncoming traffic and how it -

(i ) en h a n c e s t h e safety of pedestrians and motorists?

(i i) as s i st s t h e p icking up/dropping off of patients at the adjacent doctors' surgery?

2 . As several bodies are involved in planning alterations to roads and pavements in St. Helier , including

Centre Ville, the Parish of St. Helier, the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee, Planning and Environment and Public Services Committees, with some cross referencing of membership of these bodies, would the President undertake to take action to ensure that in future there is a single focal point so that pedestrians, traders, motorists and other interested parties have one point of contact and are aware who is dealing with each area and to whom they should direct any representations?"

The President of the Public Services Committee replied as follows -

" 1 (a ) A public display of the proposals for this junction and the Mont Millais junction was held at Jersey Archive, on 29th November, 2000. The proposed plans and traffic information such as traffic flows and accident statistics at these junctions were displayed and three engineers from the Public Services Department were available to answer queries or provide additional information to visitors.

A  p p ro x i m ately 90 members of the public attended the exhibition. Those who attended were asked to

fill in a questionnaire on the proposals. 27 questionnaires were collected at the end of the day.

A   s e l ec t io n of drawings and plans were displayed at the Public Library between 30th November and

7th December, together with invitations to make written comments. A further 10 questionnaires were returned.

B  et w e e n 13th and 21st December, a small display was placed in the reception area at the Town Hall .

The Parish of St. Helier Roads Committee had been previously fully consulted on the proposals. Drawings were also supplied to the Parish of St. Saviour .

O n 2 8 t h M arch, 2001, businesses and residences in the area received letters explaining the scheme. In

addition, a plan was reproduced in the Jersey Evening Post on 29th - 31st March, 2001, prior to works starting.

(b ) G rosvenor Street is a Parish of St. Helier by-road. The works are being carried out in this street at the

request of the Parish of St. Helier and any costs of these works will be borne by the Parish. It will reduce the pedestrian crossing distance across Grosvenor Street and St Saviour's Road while still allowing an unrestricted right turn out of Grosvenor Street.

A  n y q u e s tions in respect of the reasons for and the effects of the works in Grosvenor Street should be

directed to the Connétable of St. Helier.

2 .  W  hile different bodies might sponsor works in the Town, the relevant highway authority is invariably

the main point of contact. In respect of main roads this will be the Public Services Committee and on by-roads the Parish of St Helier. However desirable, it is, therefore impractical to have a single point of contact. But I would confirm that both highway authorities regularly consult each other and will pass on any inquiries to the appropriate authority.

T  o d a t e , I am not aware of any particular difficulties being experienced by interested parties and I

believe that those immediately affected by any projects managed by the Public Services Department whether for the Public Services Committee, Urban Renewal Sub-Committee or any other body, have been consulted and the proposals have been well publicised.

W  h i le a s stated earlier, a single point of contact is impractical, I have asked the officers of both the

Public Services Department and those from the Planning Department who support the Urban Renewal Sub-Committee, to extend the current practice of exhibiting, on-street, illustrations of the works taking place and the persons to contact for further information. I have proposed that a further two suitable locations are identified, perhaps the Library, Cyril Le Marquand House or the Town Hall , where plans of current and proposed schemes can be exhibited along with the appropriate contacts. If the House Committee agrees, it may assist members to display copies of the plans in the Members Room. I will also encourage the Parish of St. Helier to join us in displaying any plans it might have."

Sustainable bus service - question and answer (Tape No. 646

Deputy Roy George Le Hérissier of St. Saviour , asked Deputy Alan Simon Crowcroft of St. Helier, President of the Public Services Committee, the following question -

" G i ven the intention of Jersey Bus shortly to withdraw 11 services and introduce further cutbacks at a later stage, would the President outline the steps the Committee proposes to take to secure a sustainable bus service?"

The President of the Public Services Committee replied as follows -

" M e mbers will be aware that the intention of the Public Services Committee had been to work with Jersey

Bus to develop a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to set out the requirements of a sustainable bus service for the

coming years. It had been hoped that this would have been available by around September time this year and that, had it been possible to justify subsidies to retain the 11 routes referred to in the question, the SLA would have provided the framework for the future.

D e t ailed consideration of the Jersey Bus accounts revealed several aspects on the management and of the

finances of Jersey Bus that made it impossible for the Public Services Committee to support the application for subsidies.

T h is decision does mean, in all probability, that it will not be possible to develop a longer term SLA with

Jersey Bus.

M y intention is to bring to the States, in the very near future, a Bus Strategy that will seek the support of

this Chamber, for the development of a generic SLA for bus services in a way that will allow Jersey Bus and other operators to submit proposals for longer term bus services in Jersey including the application for subsidies from the States where this can be justified.

In v iew of this intention, and the sensitivity of the issues involved, I will be making a Statement to the

Assembly at the next meeting."

Jersey prisoners accommodated in United Kingdom prisons - questions and answers (Tape No. 646)

Deputy Roy George Le Hérissier of St. Saviour , asked Deputy Alastair John Layzell of St. Brelade, President of the Home Affairs Committee, the following question -

"W  o uld the President identify -

(a ) how many Jersey prisoners are currently accommodated in United Kingdom prisons? (b ) what the average cost is -

( i) p e r day;

( ii )  p er week;

( ii i) p e r year of accommodating such prisoners?

2 . Would the President advise what plans the Committee has to reduce these costs?" The President of the Home Affairs Committee replied as follows -

" 1 .( a) There are currently 37 prisoners accommodated in United Kingdom prisons. Of these, thirteen have requested to be transferred. For these no charge was levied by the Home Office.

2 4 p r is o n ers have been transferred at the request of HM Prison La Moye. These are charged at the

following rates -

AVERAGE COSTS (£) PRISON Daily Weekly Annually

Male Training 90.20 631.40 32,923.00 Male Training (Lower 80.37 562.59 29,335.05 Risk)

Male Dispersal 161.00 1,127.00 58,765.00 Male Local 103.27 722.89 37,693.55

Male Open Young Offender Institution (Y.O.I.) Male Open Y.O.I.

Female Training Female Local Female Open Private

68.30 478.10 24,929.50

88.74 621.18 32,390.10

86.24 603.68 31,477.60 109.70 767.90 40,040.50 121.11 847.77 44,205.15

75.23 526.61 27,458.95

74.93 524.51 27,349.45

2 . The Chief Inspector of Prisons has highlighted the disparity between charges levied by different prisons

and has written to the Home Secretary with a view to achieving a uniform rate."

Health and Social Services Committee's manpower levels (Tape No. 646)

The Deputy of St. Peter asked Senator Stuart Syvret, President of the Health and Social Services Committee, the following question -

" T h e Public Sector Manpower Report for the period 1st July 2000 to 31st December 2000 shows an

increase of over 200 additional employees for the Health and Social Services Department when compared to the previous six-monthly report. Would the President explain how it was possible for the Committee to discover these additional employees on the payroll as of 31st December 2000 who were not previously reported and of whom the Committee was evidently unaware?"

The President of the Health and Social Services Committee replied as follows -

" In th e late 1980s the then Establishment Committee introduced six monthly manpower returns to provide regular checks on the effectiveness of policies which had set out to control the size and cost of the public service. These reports were based on full time equivalent (fte) staffing and post numbers. Over the years, and currently, the Health and Social Services Committee returns have been consistent and within the manpower ceiling set by the Human Resources Committee.

W h e n in mid-1999 the States decided that the public service should become subject to the same

constraints as the private sector under the Regulations of Undertakings Law, the six monthly reports for the Human Resources Committee had to be changed to include provision for the reporting of staff headcount' in addition to the traditional full-time equivalent staffing and post numbers. Up to July 2000 this information had been accessible from the original MIMS computer system on a Report R 701 - Employee Count by Job Category within Occupational Group'. Results up to and including the June 2000 report to the Human Resources Committee were consistent.

H o w  ever, in 1999 the States introduced a new Cyborg payroll system, which included the facility for

integrated manpower management information. The decision was taken to make available the management information aspect of the system on a Stateswide basis, providing it could be readily adapted. The interface between the payroll and manpower aspects of the system are provided by a Position Management Module', which links people with posts and cost centres, but which requires considerable development and data validation. This module was introduced in the Health and Social Services Department in May 2000 and ran concurrently with the old system in the first instance. The report for the December 2000 return was the first to be obtained from the new computer Position Management Module installed as part of a corporate initiative. The statistics were interpreted in the agreed manner but showed a headcount in excess of 200 people in addition to that shown in the June report for which there appeared to be no logical explanation. This position was discussed with officers of the States Human Resources Department who shared concerns about the accuracy of the figures.

It m  i ght be considered that such a report could readily be obtained from the payroll computer system but

this is not the case. Whilst the department's payroll (only) information is consistent and accurate, it cannot be used to produce the headcount report required for Regulation of Undertakings Law purposes.

C o n c lusion

T h e  i ncrease in headcount cannot logically be explained and is attributed to the present inaccuracy of the

manpower data held on computer, or the way in which it is reported. Efforts are being made to validate this data as part of an agreed plan with officers of the Human Resources Committee and should be completed soon.

C o n s iderable effort has been made by the Health and Social Services Committee to support the Human

Resources Committee in addressing the need for an effective human resources management system, which is capable of delivering both corporate and departmental information requirements. Until such a system is operating effectively we can only do our best to provide the most accurate and consistent information we can."

Remuneration of the Committee's managers - question and answer (Tape No. 646)

The Deputy of St. Peter asked Senator Frank Harris on Walker , President of the Committee for Postal Administration, the following question -

" W o uld the President inform the Assembly whether the Committee has raised, or is intending to raise, the salary levels of the Committee's management team by a substantial amount, against the advice of the Human Resources Committee and, if so, would he indicate by what percentage?"

The President of the Committee for Postal Administration replied as follows -

" In common with Jersey Telecoms the Committee for Postal Administration is not raising the salaries of its complete Management Team other than by the annual pay rise negotiated with the relevant Postal Trade Union and approved by the Human Resources Committee. However, in July 2000 the Committee for Postal Administration appointed a Remuneration Committee to work with independent consultants, Hassell Blampied Associates, to review the changing responsibilities and job sizes of its Senior Directors (five posts) using the HAY evaluation system. These jobs were then subjected to a market comparison, again by independent consultants, which determined that existing remuneration levels did not reflect current responsibilities and job sizes. The proposed salary increases range from 0 per cent to 13.2 per cent depending upon the size of the job and particular commercial skills and experience.

T h e Committee for Postal Administration has been advised by the Attorney General that it has the authority

to decide on remuneration packages for all of its employees, without the endorsement of the Human Resources Committee. It has taken this action in respect of its five Directors as there is a need to ensure continuity of key employees at this time in order to move the business forward in an increasingly competitive and commercial environment, and due to the significant delay to the incorporation process.

A s a result of this work, and in anticipation of incorporation, the five Directors will be removed from the

protection of normal public sector contracts and placed on two-year fixed-term contracts similar to those in the private sector."

Remuneration of the Board's senior managers - (Tape No. 646

The Deputy of St. Peter asked Deputy Paul Francis Routier of St.  Helier, President of the Telecommunications Board, the following question -

" W o uld the President inform the Assembly whether the Board has raised, or is intending to raise, the salary levels of the Board's management team by a substantial amount, against the advice of the Human Resources Committee and, if so, would he indicate by what percentage?"

The President of the Telecommunications Board replied as follows -

" T h e Board is not planning to raise the salaries of its complete management team other than by the

negotiated annual pay increase. However, an independent review, undertaken in April 2000 by Hay Management Consultants working with the Board's remuneration sub-committee, identified that the remuneration levels at Director grades, and predominately for the 2nd tier Directors, five posts in total, did not reflect the seniority, responsibilities and job size of these positions. It is these variances that the Board is addressing with new contracts and salary increases of between 0.6 per cent and 16 per cent.

T h e new contracts for these individuals have been finalised and they will be in place shortly. I should also

point out that because of the nature of the jobs, the imminent incorporation of Jersey Telecoms and the commercial and competitive marketplace in which the company operates, these contracts are very different to those found in the Civil Service.

T h e Deputy will recall that the Board did consult with the Human Resources Committee on several

occasions but was unable to gain any support for its proposals. It is however the Board and not the Human Resources Committee who is the employing Committee for all staff at Jersey Telecoms and, it is therefore the duty of the Board to deal with the remuneration of all of its staff fairly and appropriately. In this respect, the Board considers the approach it is taking is responsible, reasonable and justified."