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4.16 Deputy M.R. Higgins of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding the impact on schools' budgets of the Danwood Managed Print Service contract:
Are Jersey schools under the Danwood-managed print service contract being required to pay up to 10 times more than their U.K. counterparts under the U.K. procurement service framework agreement, RM1599/1, where schools are charged 0.199 of a penny for mono and 1.99 pence for colour, together with a small monthly rental and, if so, what impact will this have on school budgets?
The Deputy of St. John (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture):
The managed print contract is not handled by Education, Sport and Culture. The original tendering and the subsequent management are the domain of the Procurement team at the Treasury and Resources Department. It is part of the Treasury and Resources Department therefore questions relating to the U.K. procurement framework agreement are better directed to the Minister for Treasury and Resources, who will also be able to confirm the rates negotiated for the States of Jersey. It is too early to calculate actual costs. Printing costs in schools can vary considerably from month to month and we will not have the full picture until the Danwood service has been in operation for a full year. Early indication of anecdotal evidence, however, shows that the difference between 2 particular schools is contradictory. For example, we have 2 secondary schools, one of which believes that they will be paying more and another one that says completely the opposite. So, as I say, we have conflicting information, it is only anecdotal and we would hope to have better information as soon as we possibly can.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
This follows on from the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture's earlier answers. He was earlier asked a question about headmasters and he says discussions are being held with them all the time. He did not confirm that heads have complained. Is it not the case that a number of headteachers have complained about these contracts and are certainly worried about the impact it is going to have on their budgets? Will the Minister confirm that they have complained and they are concerned about their budgets?
The Deputy of St. John :
I would not use the word "complained". As head teachers always do, they have ongoing discussions with the department over their particular budgetary pressures. I do not think "complained" is the right word.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Headteachers have raised issues with the department, I am well aware of that and of the discussions that have gone on. Is it not the case they are concerned about the impact the managed print service contract is going to have on their school budgets because it is going to cost them more, yes or no?
The Deputy of St. John :
Some of the discussions between headteachers and the department show some are concerned about the costs of print and others are saying that it has changed the way that they deal with print and they would be making savings. It depends upon the way that that particular headteacher runs their school. There are issues all the time that are discussed between the department and headteachers; as you go down a school year, there might be pressures in various ways: it might be print, it might be to do ...
The Bailiff :
I think if you could confine your answer to questions of printing. The Deputy of St. John :
Fine. Sometimes it is print, very often it is not.