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4.9 Deputy R.J. Rondel of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the printing of the new bus timetables:
Would the Minister advise the Assembly why the new bus timetables were not printed in the Island?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
The sourcing of materials is a matter for the contractor, CT Plus. However, to assist, I can inform Members that they have advised me that CT Plus will always invite Jersey companies to tender or quote for work where suppliers are available. They will prioritise Jersey companies in their procurement as long as suppliers' price and terms are competitive, providing comparable value for money. CT Plus Jersey conducted a full and rigorous 2-part tender exercise for the design and print of its winter timetables and 10 design print agencies were invited to submit quotes, 5 of which were Jersey-based. The first part of the tender was for the compendium timetable. Unfortunately, no Jersey tender was competitive in relation to the winning quote. The nearest Jersey quote was 27 per cent more expensive. The second part of the tender exercise was individual route timetables. A Jersey company was selected as they submitted a highly competitive quote. They were not the cheapest but their price was sufficiently comparable, thus triggering CT Plus's procurement policy of prioritising Jersey companies wherever practical. CT Plus will continue to give Jersey design print companies the opportunity to quote for design and print work in the future.
- Deputy R.J. Rondel:
I thank the Minister for his very detailed answer and just to say that my concern was whether the local companies were given a chance to tender so I thank him for that. Does the Minister agree that when I went to get the bus a week ago, there were no bus timetables available because they were all given out and I was told that because they were printed in the U.K., there was quite a severe delay in the time factor getting them to the Island so there was a disadvantage due to that situation?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Indeed, and CT Plus have apologised for that but it was a rush print so that they would have the reprint done.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
The Minister obviously started off by saying that the matter of sourcing printing was for the company themselves and not for him and then he proceeded to read out an answer which is presumably the justification from the company. My very simple question is does the Minister agree with the statement from the company that he just read out and more concisely, is it better when there is a 27 per cent differential to buy products from the U.K. rather than from Jersey?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Indeed, other printed materials such as the posters, shelter vinyls, sundry information sheets, have all been designed and printed locally. During the first week of operation, 5,000 compendium bus timetables were issued to the public which exhausted CT Plus's stock. The problem has now been addressed and compendium bus timetables are now available again.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Obviously the Minister talked about some posters or some fittings that had been purchased locally but that is probably purchased by the T.T.S. Department. Is that correct or can he clarify whether they would be purchased by CT Plus?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Those will all be CT Plus Liberty Bus.
[11:45]
- Deputy J.H. Young:
Would the Minister confirm or advise the Assembly whether or not CT Plus, since they are receiving very substantial public funds by way of subsidy, are required in their procurement policies generally to follow that of the Minister for Treasury and Resources in terms of local versus off-Island contracting, recognising that local contractors have a lot of disadvantages? Would he please confirm that is the policy?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Absolutely, wherever possible, everything will be done locally. It might be interesting for Members to know that most if not many of the Island's Parish magazines are printed off-Island so before we start throwing rocks at the new boy, maybe we should get our own house in order.
- Deputy R.J. Rondel:
Just to ensure whether the Minister was completely satisfied with the tendering process and that local people were given a fair opportunity and if it did go to local tender, whether they would have paid G.S.T. and whether the off-Island companies paid G.S.T. as well.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I would believe so but I need to get back to the Deputy to clarify that.
- The Connétable of St. John :
Could the Minister give that reply to the whole House when he does come back, please?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Certainly.