The PAC is critical of the way States’ properties are managed and urges the Chief Executive to prioritise the establishment of a Corporate Asset Group.
Following up the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (C&AG) Report on Operational Land and Buildings which was published in June 2018, the PAC is disappointed to learn that it will take at least another six months before an up to date States’ property plan is in place and that there is still no timescale in place for implementing the C&AG’s recommendations.
There is pressure on the public purse and more attention should be given to releasing some of the unnecessary property assets that the States holds, but this is not easy to work out in the absence of a comprehensive strategy plan for all States property.
The Chairman of the PAC said:
“The Director of JPH spoke of undertaking bilateral discussions with departments but that is not a substitute for an overall strategy for the Island’s property. The plan and the asset management group would ideally cover the coordination of all property holding bodies such as Ports of Jersey, Andium Homes and the Development Company (SoJDC) to ensure that decisions are congruent with overall States Policy. We look forward to hearing of significant progress at a follow-up meeting with the Director General Growth, Housing and Environment in July 2019.”
See the webcast of the public hearing in October last year with former Director, Jersey Property Holdings and Director General, Growth Housing Environment HERE.