Grant to the Jersey Maritime Trust

14

1240/5(8676)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 10th MARCH 2015

Question

Will the Minister give members a detailed breakdown of what the £41,200 paid to the Jersey Maritime Trust by Property Holdings on the aborted Port Galots development was spent on? Will he further explain the rationale behind the payment and whether he now believes it was money well spent?

Answer

The Jersey Maritime Trust (JMT) was established in January 2014 in conjunction with plans to develop a new harbourside facility known as Port Galots and to act as custodian of the Port Galots development and landlord to all commercial tenants.

The creation of a not for profit body, independent from the developer and the Ports of Jersey, to manage the facility post completion was agreed by the stakeholder groups and the Ports at the early meetings arranged by the Ports.

In addition to this specific role, the JMT has a wider responsibility for developing and implementing objectives to promote Jersey's maritime industry, including:

• Assisting maritime related businesses and community organisations in developing their strategies and objectives through the provision of business advice, resource and a first class facility within in which to flourish;

• Identifying and creating opportunities to increase event-led tourism;

• Providing and managing a unique facility in which to inspire and educate any member of the community irrespective of their age, gender, ability or disability;

• Developing relationships with international organisations to increase the opportunities available to the professional maritime industry and community in general; and

• Developing a comprehensive outdoor activity programme for disabled and socially disadvantaged islanders and visitors through the provision of a centralised disability-friendly facility.

The objects of the JMT are set out in its constitution as:

1. To provide an internationally renowned maritime centre of excellence (the "Jersey Maritime Centre"), which includes facilities for the Sea Cadets and other maritime organisations;
2. To promote the regeneration and sustainability of the local maritime environment and countryside;
3. To promote and enable equal opportunities for life fulfilment and employment through education, instruction and learning experiences for leisure and professional mariners alike and the wider island community;

4. To promote the Jersey maritime industry internationally, and to promote the growth of its economic contribution in the island particularly through maritime related event led tourism, employment, trade and industry and financial services;
5. To promote relationships with the Armed Forces, and especially the Royal Navy, in their role as protector of our national resilience, trade and industry and career opportunities; champion the Armed Forces Community Covenant in the Island and to sign a Corporate Covenant; and
6. To optimise the long term financial and social value of the asset in the care of the Trust, for the community and for the States of Jersey, raising commercial and other grant-funding as needed to give long term sustainability to the Trust and its activities.

Ministerial Decision MD-PH-2014-0092 dated 4th June 2014 made provision for the release of funds to support the setting up and operation of the JMT until such time as the facilities are developed.

Following approval of the above Ministerial Decision the following payments have been made in respect of the JMT:

Reimbursement for JMT set up costs  £16,450 Supported by invoices and timesheets

Payment for Executive Support to JMT   £24,750

£41,200 A grant payment to progress the JMT objectives  £14,550* Total Payments by the Public to JMT   £55,750 * met from JPH base revenue budget The funds allocated to JMT have been used to provide:

• Executive Support from October 2013

• Design and Publicity costs in respect of JMT promotional material

• Travel Costs

• Accounting and Legal Fees

• Insurance costs

• Postal costs

• Room hire

• Bank charges and other miscellaneous administrative costs.

The payment was necessary to enable the JMT to become established and to deliver against its objectives. The continued delivery of those objectives remains a key requirement to the successful development of Maritime community groups and the wider maritime industry moving forwards.