Letter - Response to follow up questions on Jersey Property Holdings - 29 October 2026

Union Street | St Helier Jersey | JE2 3DN

Deputy Hilary Jeune  

Chair  

Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel

BY EMAIL

29 October 2026 Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter of the 13 October 2026 in relation to Jersey Property Holdings. Please find the information provided below:

1. What is the scope of the review being undertaken in relation to Jersey Property Holdings and what key legacy issues' is it intended to address?

I have an open mind about the best and most effective structure for the future management of the public property portfolio. It is clear to both me and the Minister for Treasury and Resources that the arrangements we have at present aren't working well and, arguably have never worked as they were envisaged when JPH was set up in 2005.

We consider that change is essential, but equally that we need to deliver meaningful change. The issues to address are varied. They include, but are not limited to:

• The absence of a sustainable funding model for public property which ensures that maintenance is properly and sustainably funded on an ongoing basis;

• Inconsistent lease arrangements for our property across the Island;

• The need to drive more commerciality with a consistent and corporate approach, whilst recognising the duty Government has to provide social good in our property arrangements. This needs to be formally recognised and recorded so that we know where income is being waived in the interest of a community benefit;

• Ensuring that we are making maximum use of the public property estate for the benefit of the community;

• A disposal strategy to ensure that the public only keeps essential property within its ownership;

• More transparency on empty public properties, their condition, and efforts that are being made to put them back into use or to sell them.

2. What is the anticipated timetable for the review, including any key milestones, decision points and expected reporting dates?

This work is developing and remains at an early stage and the timetable is still to be determined.

3. During the hearing, you indicated that Senator Maclean had been appointed as an Assistant Minister, in part to support work relating to JPH. Could you clarify Senator Maclean's specific remit, responsibilities and objectives in this regard?

As indicated by the first response, it is recognised that the review will require oversight from both the Infrastructure and Treasury and Resources Ministries and to assist this cross-ministerial work, Senator Maclean has been appointed as an Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and with a delegation for matters relating to Jersey Property Holdings. For clarity, as Minister for Infrastructure, I remain the authority for property matters and transactions.

4. You also referred to there being a significant number of exceptions to standard commercial arrangements which can divert resources away from wider strategic priorities. Could you provide further detail on the nature of these exceptions and explain how the review intends to address them whilst ensuring appropriate consideration is given to community, cultural and public-interest factors?

As above, work on the review is still developing but community value is one of the issues that will need to be addressed. It would not be appropriate to refer publicly to individual agreements, but would be happy to give some confidential examples under separate cover, if requested to by the Panel.

5. The Panel noted your comments that decisions regarding asset disposals should be taken on a strategic basis rather than solely to meet short-term financial requirements, and that consideration should be given to factors such as social value, strategic need and public benefit. Could you outline the criteria that will be used to determine whether an asset should be retained, repurposed or disposed of?

This will form part of the developing work as referenced in response to previous questions.

6. In light of the longstanding challenges that have been identified in relation to JPH, what outcomes would you consider would demonstrate that the review has been successful and over what timeframe do you expect tangible improvements to become evident?

Clear outcomes and improvements will be outlined at the outset of the review but in general terms – as indicated in the first answer – success will be demonstrated by establishing a more effective structure for the management of Jersey's public property portfolio with greater clarity of purpose and a long-term strategy to fund maintenance and repair

Yours sincerely

Deputy Jonathan Renouf Minister for Infrastructure