The restriction is being suggested by the Finance and Economics Committee in response to a proposal from Senator Stuart Syvret for all such charges – large or small – to come before the assembly.His proposition is due to be debated tomorrow when Finance will put forward a last-minute amendment to restrict future debates.The committee say that in principle they do not oppose individual debates on new user pays charges.
However, States time should not be clogged up with insignficant financial matters.They say that approval of the amendment will tighten the approval process for user pays charges without undue bureaucracy.Senator Syvret’s proposition was largely the result of attempts to introduce the controversial sewerage charge, which he described as a ‘stealth tax’.
Its introduction has now been deferred.Although the impact of the charge was to be gradual, the income raised by it in its first year was to be just under £3m – meaning that under Finance’s amendment it would definitely have faced a States debate.Finance’s amendment is being brought on a ‘blue’ paper, which gives Members the option to lodge it for the usual two weeks.But in the report attached to their amendment, the committee say that restricting the charges that require a debate would not preclude a committee from bringing forward a proposition on a smaller revenue-raising charge.Finance also express concern that Senator Syvret has not defined user pays charges.They suggest that it should be where the true cost of a service is sought to be partially or wholly recovered from the users of that service.The committee have already agreed in principle that a more comprehensive definition of ‘user pays’, as well as the proposed £250,000 level, should be included in its code of direction on increases to fees and charges.
