Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2025-2028 (P.51/2024): Eighteenth Amendment (P.51/2024 Amd.(18) – amendment. Play Strategy.

STATES OF JERSEY

PROPOSED BUDGET (GOVERNMENT PLAN) 2025-2028 (P.51/2024): EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT (P.51/2024 AMD.(18)) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 19th November 2024 by Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour Earliest date for debate: 26th November 2024

STATES GREFFE

2024  P.51 Amd.(18) Amd.

PROPOSED BUDGET (GOVERNMENT PLAN) 2025-2028  (P.51/2024): EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT (P.51/2024 AMD.(18)) – AMENDMENT

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1  PAGE 2 –

After the words "Bridging Island Plan 2022-2025" insert the words ", with the work of the Jersey Youth Parliament Right to Play' Group and of the previous Play Strategy Steering Group to be incorporated into the final Strategy".

 DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR

Note:  After this amendment, the amendment would read as follows –

1  PAGE 4, PARAGRAPH (o) –

After the words "as set out in the Appendix to the accompanying Report" insert the words –

", except that, on Page 59, after the words "in subsequent Budgets subject to affordability." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"An allocation of £66,000 will be made within the Funding for Public Realm budget  to  take  forward  the  work  to  deliver  a  Play  Strategy  for  Jersey,  in conjunction  with  the  Minister  for  Children  and  Families,  the  Minister  for Education and Lifelong Learning, and the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, as detailed within Proposal 29 of the Bridging Island Plan 2022- 2025, with the work of the Jersey Youth Parliament Right to Play' Group and of the previous Play Strategy Steering Group to be incorporated into the final Strategy".

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 2025 – 2028 (entitled "Budget 2025-2028") 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 2025 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 proposed Changes to Approval for financing/borrowing for 2025, as shown in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 2 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 approval amounts.

3. to approve the transfers from one States fund to another for 2025 of up to and including the amounts set in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 3 in line with Article 9(2)(b) of the Law.
4. to approve a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Stabilisation Fund in 2025 of up to £25 million, subject to a decision of the Minister for Treasury and Resources based on the availability of funds in the Consolidated Fund as at 31st December 2024 in excess of the estimates provided in this plan, or from budgeted underspends identified before 31st December 2025.
5. to approve a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Agricultural Loans Fund in 2025 of up to £2 million, subject to a decision of the Minister for Treasury and Resources based on availability of funds in the Consolidated Fund as at 31st December 2024 in excess of estimates provided in this plan, or from budgeted underspends identified before 31st December 2025;
6. to approve each major project that is to be started or continued in 2025 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.
7. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated Fund for 2025, 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.
8. to  approve  the  estimated  income,  being  estimated  gross  income  less expenditure, that each States trading operation will pay into its trading fund in 2025 in line with Article 9(2)(h) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 6 to the Report.
9. to approve the proposed amount to be appropriated from each States trading operation's trading fund for 2025 for each head of expenditure in line with Article 9(2)(i) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 7 to the Report.
10. to approve the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate Emergency Fund for 2025 as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 8 to the Report.
11. to approve an updated and consolidated policy of the Strategic Reserve Fund as follows:

"The Strategic Reserve Fund, established in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, is a permanent reserve only to be used:

1. in exceptional circumstances  to  insulate  the  Island's  economy  from severe structural decline such as the sudden collapse of a major Island industry or from major natural disaster.

2. if necessary, for the purposes of providing funding (up to £100 million) for the Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme established under the Banking  Business  (Depositors  Compensation)  (Jersey)  Regulations 2009, including to meet the States contribution to the Scheme and/or to meet any temporary cash flow funding requirements of the Scheme.
3. to  support  the  development  of  future  healthcare  facilities  and  the borrowing costs for such work, in line with a financing strategy agreed by the Assembly;
4. as a holding fund for any or all monies raised through external financing until required, and for any monies related to the repayment of debt raised through external financing used to offset the repayment of debt, as and when required; and
5. in accordance with Article 24 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019, where the Minister for Treasury and Resources is satisfied that there exists an immediate threat to the health or safety of any of the inhabitants of Jersey, to the stability of the economy in Jersey or to the environment, for which no other suitable funding is available."

12. to approve the transfer to the Strategic Reserve of the amounts due as a result of the move from prior-year basis taxation after 31st December 2025, as and when these payments are received (estimated at £280 million).
13. in relation to the new Government Headquarters (office), to approve;

1. the exercising of the option to acquire the new Government Headquarters (estimated at £91 million), by the Public of the Island, in line with the pre-agreed terms; and
2. the acquisition of the new Government Headquarters as an investment of the Social Security (Reserve) Fund (including authorising the meeting of expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition); and
3. the subsequent leasing of the new Government Headquarters by the Public of the Island from the Social Security (Reserve) Fund, with commercial terms to be agreed between the Minister for Infrastructure (on behalf of the Public) and Minister for Social Security and the Minister for Treasury and Resources (both on behalf of the Fund); and

14. in relation to the new Government Headquarters, to authorise H.M. Attorney General, the Greffier of the States, the Ministers for Infrastructure, Social Security and Treasury and Resources, and the Public of the Island, to enter into such arrangements, including financing, and pass any contracts as are necessary to put into effect paragraph (m).
15. to approve, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2025-2028, as set out in the Appendix to the accompanying Report, except that, on Page 59, after the words "in subsequent Budgets subject to affordability." there should be inserted the following new paragraph – "An allocation of £66,000 will be made within the Funding for Public Realm budget to take forward the work to deliver a Play Strategy for Jersey, in conjunction with the Minister for Children and Families, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, and the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, as detailed

within Proposal 29 of the Bridging Island Plan 2022-2025, with the work of the Jersey  Youth Parliament Right to Play' Group and of the previous  Play Strategy Steering Group to be incorporated into the final Strategy."

REPORT

This amendment seeks to ensure that the work completed by both the Right to Play Group, established by the Jersey Youth Parliament (JYP), and the previous work completed by the Play Strategy Steering Group is kept at the core of the development of a formal Play Strategy for Jersey.

The reports and presentations of the JYP Right to Play Group directly inspired and fed into the work of the Play Strategy Steering Group. JYP represent the youth of the Island, and it is critical that their voices are heard. Their work and their views must be incorporated in a meaningful way. This should include ongoing interactions with children and young people to ensure they are kept up to date with the progress of any strategy in this area. Furthermore, they should be able to shape the strategy as it evolves.

The previous Play Strategy Steering Group was led by Chair Deputy Lucy Stephenson and Vice-Chair Deputy Louise Doublet . It was comprised of Government Officers from various  departments,  representatives  from  a  wide  range  of  sectors  (including Government arm's length bodies such as Andium homes), play and nature experts, child development experts, and representatives of parents, carers and children.

The work already developed by these two groups incorporates the most important voices when considering the development of a Play Strategy and is of high quality. It is essential that the work already undertaken is not lost.

Financial and staffing implications

This amendment will not change the financial and staffing implications identified in the previous amendment.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

A Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.