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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. MARY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 30th NOVEMBER 2010
Question
Will the Minister provide to members a list of all the property left by Mr. H.E. Le Seelleur for the island' (in broad terms) and with respect to each property, could he inform members –
- what is the wording of the bequest that describes what the property is to be used for?
- what has happened to each property? (has it been sold, leased, rented or otherwise in use?)
- if sold, rented or leased in a way which in itself does not benefit the beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the Will, who administers the revenue, how is that administration organised, and who benefits from the revenue in each case?
- if it is being used in a way which in itself does benefit the beneficiaries, on what basis is this being done?
- what discussions, if any, have been held with the executors of the Will?
Answer
Under a will dated 28th December 1988, Mr Le Seelleur, who died on 22nd October 1996, devised the reversionary interest in two properties to the States of Jersey and bequeathed the remainder of his immovable estate to the States of Jersey. In the will, it states that "the said States of Jersey shall consult my said executors of my movable estate upon the use of my properties with a particular view towards the use of such properties for the benefit of aged, infirm and needy residents of the Island".
The nine properties bequeathed were
Beau Sejour, Mont Millais (BLI) Stonecot, Mont Millais (BLI)
Le Seelleur Oxford Road Workshop (SSI) Le Boulevard Flats, La Rocque
1-4 The Denes, Grève d'Azette
Sous L'Eglise, St Peter (BLI)
Claremont, Bagatelle Road
9 Chevalier Road (BLI)
La Pouclee Lodge
In accepting this bequest, the States agreed (P.71/97) that the administration and all benefits received from the properties should be vested in the Health and Social Services Committee for the benefit of aged, infirm and needy residents of the Island.
Responsibility for the estate was transferred to the Health and Social Services Committee by the States in June 1997. All funds administered by Health and Social Services have a designated fund manager and authorised signatory. The fund manager decides the most appropriate use of funds in accordance with the donor's wishes. This use will include revenue maintenance and running costs of the assets i.e. the buildings. Dependant on the amount, expenditure must be approved by either the fund manager, the Chief Executive Officer or the Minister. The Executrix of the Will is consulted regarding the day to day estate management of the portfolio.
The current status of the Le Seelleur properties is as follows. Beau Sejour – is let to a third party as a residential unit. Stonecot – is let to a third party as a residential unit.
Le Seelleur Oxford Road Workshop comprises workshops dating back to 1845 (with later alterations); last used by Mr H E Le Seelleur for his construction business. In May 2003, a proposition to sell "Le Seelleur Oxford Road Workshop" for £365,000 was rejected by the States.
Le Boulevard Flats comprises six residential units which are let to third party tenants 1-4 The Denes comprises four residential units which are let to third party tenants
Sous L'Eglise. Due to its location adjacent to the airport runway and within the flight path this was judged to be a potential danger to air traffic. The property was sold to Jersey Airport for £900,000 (including compensation for loss of rental income) in 2009, with the proceeds going into the "Harold Le Seelleur Trust". The building itself, as opposed to the land, was sold. It was carefully dismantled and is to be reconstructed on another site by the new owners.
Claremont comprises two residential units which are let to third party tenants.
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9 Chevalier Road comprises one residential unit which is let to a third party tenant.
La Pouclee Lodge comprises two residential units which are let to third party tenants.
A number of the current tenants are those that held the same tenancies when the properties were originally gifted to the public.