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2020.01.21
13 Deputy K.F. Morel of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the cost of parking
for carers: (OQ.5/2020)
Apologies for being rather similar to a question that has already been asked by Deputy Perchard. Given that domiciliary care providers have recently contacted States Members about the difficulties with parking in St. Helier , including the cost, what work is the Minister undertaking with his ministerial colleagues and the Connétable of St. Helier to minimise the cost of parking for carers and to ensure they are able to park in locations that provide access to their clients, without fear of being fined?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Infrastructure):
Carers play an important role in the community, however I am unlikely to be the key authority in this matter as the issuing of parking and pricing of parking permits is a responsibility of the relevant roads authority. As the relevant residences are predominantly in Parish roads, resident parking zones and housing associations such as Andium - I did get the email, as did many colleagues here today - we were advised by a carer that in Andium Homes a security company have been operating a scheme for over a year now but I also understand that it is subject to appeal. If somebody feels they have been penalised unfairly, they can appeal to Andium.
- Deputy K.F. Morel :
Oh, how the Minister's shoulders do slope. Would the Minister, as the person responsible for infrastructure and parking, having oversight of the entire Island, as he so often reminds us, commit to working with the relevant authorities, including the Connétable of St. Helier , including Andium Homes, including those others, to bring them together to come up with one simple policy that all domiciliary care providers can understand and can then adhere to?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
No sloping shoulders here. I have already stated quite clearly, more than happy to speak to the Constable of St. Helier and all the other Constables and come to some sensible agreement. The solution in this case must, as always in these situations, be around sensitive and intelligent policing. There is an appeals process for anyone who feels they have received a ticket unfairly.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
With regard to working with his ministerial colleagues, is the Minister aware that for those working in home care for business purposes that the parking – not fines – but charges, can be written off as a business expense, therefore the cost of parking can be deducted, was the Minister aware of that?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes.
- Deputy K.F. Morel :
With regard to my previous question earlier this morning, it was clear that the costs and the administrative burden on domiciliary care providers is rising. With this in mind, would the Minister commit, not to just being happy, to speaking with the relevant authorities to come up with a system whereby they do not have to rely on an administratively burdensome appeals process, and so have a simpler policy, which enables them to get on with their jobs and does not add to the cost of care in Jersey?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
As already stated several times, I am more than happy to speak to the Constables, the Comité des Connétable s, and come to some equitable agreement with this. I cannot predict what the outcome will be but I will do my best to get the best deal for the carers in Jersey.
[12:00]