Housing's complex tangle - Jersey Evening Post

Recently, one category of those who might see themselves as discriminated against by the regulations – the essentially employed – witnessed a false dawn when it was announced that they would henceforward have the right to buy any sort of property. This change in J-category rules was made by ministerial decision rather than through agreement by the States Assembly.

However, Housing Minister Terry Le Main and any J-category residents who were beginning to browse estate agents’ lists were brought up short.

The House made it clear that such a fundamental change in policy should be made not by ministerial decree; it was rapidly established that the matter should be the subject of a full and democratic debate.

This is just as it should be. There are certainly issues which can be addressed by the unilateral decree of a minister, but the J-category rule change is not among them. Who should be entitled to buy or occupy classes of property in this Island is far too controversial a question to be settled by one politician’s views

– even if these are based on departmental

advice.

When The States address the J-category problem, it will no doubt become apparent just how contentious the matter is. The arguments on both sides of the question are powerful and persuasive.

Those who would favour liberalising J licences would say that people who have been encouraged to come to the Island to occupy jobs that are regarded as essential to the community deserve to be allowed freedom of choice when it comes to occupying property.

They might also point out that the best people for those essential positions might choose not to come here in the presence of restrictions.

There is, meanwhile, a further argument – now being advanced by a group outside the States with a very big axe to grind. Estate agents are saying that the European Court of Human Rights will ultimately rule unfavourably against our housing laws unless we change them.

Such assertions will be met by old but well-founded arguments about the strictures which must be imposed in an Island in which scarce resources must be allocated with the greatest care – plus, it is to be hoped, comment about the necessity of allowing home-grown talent to flourish.

The debate may well be complex, but at least its outcome will depend on the collective

wisdom of States Members rather than behind-the-scenes departmental consideration followed by one man’s dictat.