Cost-benefit analysis of the 2015 Jersey Island Games

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE

BY DEPUTY J.A. MARTIN OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2016

Question

Given that the Economic Development Department now has responsibility for sport, can the Minister advise the Assembly whether his department has conducted, or is in possession of, a detailed cost-benefit analysis on the 2015 Jersey Island Games?

If such a report has not been prepared, will the Minister compile a cost-benefit analysis of the Games to be provided to all States Members, together with a detailed breakdown of the relevant accounts? Alternatively, will the Minister explain why a reported expenditure of some £15 million in respect of the Games does not require a cost-benefit analysis?

Answer

Responsibility for Sport transferred to the Economic Development Department on 1st January 2016. Whilst the Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture department has not conducted a detailed cost benefit analysis of the 2015 NatWest Island Games, I have received a copy of the Report provided by the Organising Committee which demonstrates very clearly that they were an excellent and successful Games. I have circulated the Report to Members and would encourage all to read it but particularly section 22 on pages 17 to 20, which reports on the legacy.

• Over 4000 visitors came to Jersey for the Games and brought in over £3.8 million to the local economy. Visit Jersey targeted those visitors to attract them back in future years
• All those who competed in or attended the NatWest Island Games, stayed in accommodation, ate in restaurants, shopped in our stores and used public transport. In doing so they injected significant amounts of additional expenditure into the local economy producing additional economic benefits and GST receipts that would not have been realised if the Games had not taken place
• Refurbishment of facilities provided opportunities for clients on the Back to Work scheme to work on many of projects to improve and refurbish sport facilities. As a result of the work several gained fulltime employment.
• Over 80 visiting media promoted Jersey and raised its profile to 23 Islands with a total population of 1.2 million. This promotion also reached regions beyond the Islands.

I am not sure where the reported expenditure' of £15 million quoted by the Deputy has come from. Draft accounts for the Games have been prepared, which show that the Games have been delivered within the budget of £1.8 million. In addition to the £1.2 million provided to the Organising Committee for the Games themselves the Assembly agreed to provide Capital funding of £4.5 million to support the development and refurbishment of sport facilities identified in the Sport Strategy Fit for the Future'.

I have no doubt that the NatWest Island Games provided excellent value for money, showcased the best of Jersey, and left a positive legacy. It was an excellent event that will live long in the memory of many and I congratulate all that were involved in making it such a great week.