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9
WQ.255/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 18th JUNE 2019
Question
Will the Minister advise –
- which areas of States-owned land have either been registered, or are planned to be registered, as outdoor wedding locations;
- what factors are being taken into account as part of the process of determining which locations to register;
- what the timescale is for this work, including the expected completion date; and
- what level of fees it is expected will be charged for each location?
Answer
- The Superintendent Registrar's office, in conjunction with GHE, is currently looking at the Island's beaches and parks to identify a number of outdoor locations which could, subject to approval from the relevant Constable and the Economic Development Minister, be registered by Superintendent Registrar for the solemnization of marriage.
- The following factors are being taken into consideration:
- outlook
- tidal considerations
- distance from established commercial activity (beach concessions etc.) in order not to interfere with trade
- distance for popular beach areas which have high levels of usage, so as not to interfere with other beach users
- distance from areas which may create potential bottlenecks, such as slips, stairways etc. whilst also ensuring people attending weddings can access the wedding location
- distance from beach side residential property
- It is anticipated that a list of beach locations will be ready for consideration by the relevant Constable and the Minister by the end of July 2019. Proposals for park location will ready by mid-September 2019.
- Fees associated with the approval of location: Under the Marriage and Civil Status (Jersey) Order 2018, the Constable may charge £400 for each location approved in their Parish for solemnization of all weddings. It will be a decision of the Constable as to whether they waive that fee.
Fees associated with use of those locations: Fees have yet to be determined, although it is anticipated that fees will be levied to cover costs by the Superintendent Registrar in the administration of approved GoJ owned outdoor locations. This is in accordance with a decision of the States Assembly (2017 – 2019 Medium Term Financial Plan) that Office of the Superintendent Registrar is to be self-funding. Furthermore the Economic Development Minister may also determine that fees should be levied for the use of public beaches for marriage ceremonies.