- States Question Time round-up
- See who said what in the house.
- New Visit Jersey could move to Royal Square
- Chief Minister standing firm on aggressive tax avoidance
JERSEY’S tourism centre could be moved to a historic Royal Square building that was kept in public ownership following a vote in the States last year, the Treasury Minister says.
Senator Alan Maclean said that Piquet House had been identified as ‘an excellent location’ for a new centre and offices for Visit Jersey – the government-backed organisation that will soon take over from Jersey Tourism.
23 – percentage of university students who were given a full grant during the last academic year
£206,000 – the full cost of the team tasked with implementing e-government
94 – number of social workers employed by the Health Department last year
0 – number of workers employed on the Gigabit project currently living outside Jersey
The current centre is based at Liberation House, but the lease expires next year.
Last year the States voted to retain the historic Royal Square building, which was built to protect against French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars and was used by military police until 1924.
And yesterday, after being questioned by Deputy Sam Mézec about whether any suitable public or community use had been found for the site, Senator Maclean replied that talks with the Royal British Legion had gone no further and that there had been a number of other organisations that had been interested in renting the building.
‘The property comprising 11 Royal Square and Piquet House has been identified as an excellent location for a new tourism centre by Visit Jersey,’ the Senator said.
‘Jersey Property Holdings are currently discussing terms of conditions with Visit Jersey.
‘There were number of expressions of interest, but Visit Jersey was deemed to be the most appropriate.’
Chief Minister standing firm on aggressive tax avoidance
THE Chief Minister said on Tuesday that Jersey authorities had no wish to have ‘aggressive, abusive, artificial tax avoidance schemes’ in the Island.
Senator Ian Gorst made the comment after responding to a question in the States on whether there would be any impact on the Island’s finance industry from new measures announced by the UK Chancellor on tax avoidance and evasion.
- Four Members were missing at the start of yesterdays States sitting.
- Senator Philip Ozouf was absent on States business, St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian and St Helier Deputy Mike Higgins were both ill, and St Peter Deputy Kristina Moore was recorded as en défaut absent without leave.
- The Bailiff, William Bailhache, was presiding and the Lieutenant-Governor General Sir John McColl was in attendance.
Chancellor George Osborne said last week that the diverted profits tax would come into force in April, following the announcement by the government in last year’s autumn statement.
The measure is designed to discourage large companies with annual turnovers of £10 million, such as Google and Amazon, from moving their profits overseas in order to avoid paying tax.
During question time in the States, the Chief Minister said no impact was expected from the move and that some of what the UK Chancellor had announced had already been undertaken.
He said: ‘Tax evasion has been a criminal offence in Jersey since 1999.
‘Our position was made clear in a statement last year.’
The Chief Minister, responding to the question from Deputy Sam Mézec, said that the government would work with HMRC to ensure that the Jersey Disclosure Facility, which enables people with UK tax liabilities to disclose any underpaid taxes, was used ‘appropriately’.
Deputy Geoff Southern said Senator Gorst ‘seems to be confident that there was no aggressive tax avoidance in the Island’.
‘Is he confident that companies such as mining companies will not be affected by the diverted property tax if they were to divert profits through their Jersey-based subsidiary?’ he asked.
The Chief Minister replied: ‘We have no wish to have aggressive, abusive artificial tax avoidance schemes. We are working to international standards.’
‘We have no desire and no wish to have aggressive, abusive artificial tax avoidance schemes.’
Chief Minister Ian Gorst, responding to a question from Deputy Sam Mézec on tax avoidance and evasion.
‘The fact that the court can review the decisions provides a consistent approach to human rights law.’
Solicitor General Howard Sharp speaking about Jersey’s appeal system
‘It wasn’t a promise. It was indicated at the time that these spaces may be available.’
Assistant Treasury Minister Eddie Noel, responding to Deputy Judy Martin about whether he had gone back on his ‘promise’ to create 40 private parking spaces for the police at the new headquarters.
‘I think when members of the community see the exciting events planned, they will see it is going to be an extremely fitting celebration of what is a momentous day.’
Chief Minister Ian Gorst speaking about the events taking place on Liberation Day.
‘There has got to be an appropriate mechanism to make sure people can whistle-blow effectively. My preferred way is to talk to a direct manager. That is not always possible, therefore we need a robust whistle-blowing policy as well.’
Chief Minister Ian Gorst answering a question about whistle-blowing by public-sector workers.
Police HQ to be built on time, on budget
ASSURANCES have been given to the States that the new police headquarters building at Green Street will be completed’on time and within budget.
During States question time yesterday, Deputy Judy Martin asked for an update on the construction of the four-storey building, which began in October last year and is due to be finished in 2016.
Deputy Eddie Noel, speaking in his capacity as Assistant Treasury Minister, said that construction work was progressing well and that he was confident it would be completed by the end of next year and within budget.
He was also asked whether bomb-proof concrete would be used and whether it would add to the cost of the building. Deputy Noel said: ‘A small number of key areas have required specialist blast protection. There has been no need to increase the budget for the contract.’
In another question about the police headquarters, Deputy Martin asked whether the States had secured 40 private parking spaces in an area close to the new building.
Deputy Noel replied that the parking spaces had not been a condition of the building works, adding:
‘In November 2012 a private land owner offered secure off-road private parking.
‘The proposal was not thought to be suitable, and the land owner did not pursue the matter.
‘With regard to public parking in the basement of the station, it was never an option. Public parking will not be allowed in the basement of the station.’
Help for Island children
A SHORTLIST has been drawn up to appoint the head of a task force that will concentrate on improving the lives of Island children.
Chief Minister Ian Gorst said during questions without notice that two potential candidates had been settled on to lead the early-years task force.
The team, established in January, will report directly to Senator Gorst and will identify any gaps in existing services for families and young children in Jersey.
Senator Gorst said: ‘No one has been appointed yet but I think we have settled on two people who might fit the bill. Once the person is in place, work will be undertaken at great pace.’
He said the taskforce’s first priority would be the 1,001 days agenda, a period which experts say is crucial in a child’s development and focuses on conception to the age of two.
The second priority of the taskforce will be work on interacting with vulnerable Island families.
