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States officials have confirmed that Maritime House won’t be scrapped after Passport and Customs operations 'move’ to La Motte Street, as only three staff are making the trip.
A number of States functions have been moved into the former Social Security Building on La Motte Street, which is now being changed into a customer-facing hub for tax, planning, passport and customs queries.
The plan – known as ‘One Front Door’ – was part of States Chief Executive Charlie Parker’s ‘One Government’ plans, which were said to aim to drive efficiencies within the States’ workforce, while also allowing the government to dispose of or repurpose buildings within their portfolio.
States officials and politicians had also made public that Planning’s base at South Hill was being considered for redevelopment into housing, while the government’s effective headquarters of Cyril Le Marquand House could face a similar fate or become keyworker accommodation.
But with the fates of the island’s former home of taxes and planning made clear, the ‘One Front Door’ proposals also raised questions over the future of Maritime House, where Passport and Customs are based.
Pictured: Government officials confirmed no current intention to cull Maritime House from the States property portfolio. (Island Wiki)
The service’s official moving date to La Motte Street is today, but States officials have now confirmed that this doesn’t mean Maritime House is to be vacated or turned into housing.
In fact, States officials told Express that the plan is to keep things exactly as they are. The only main change will be the movement of three front desk staff working at La Motte Street to handle customer queries.
They also confirmed that Ports of Jersey and Property Holdings remain in Maritime House, which they said will “be retained as an operational building for the foreseeable future.”
The final step in creating 'One Front Door' in La Motte Street will be when planning services are launched there next Monday.
Taxes: General enquiries about tax
Treasury Cashiers: Licences (liquor and ice cream), lottery winnings, invoice payment including tax
Passports: New passport applications, legalisation of documents
Customs: Freight clearance, general enquiries about customs duties and GST/VED, classification of goods
Planning and building: General enquiries, application drop-offs, historic files access and viewing, location plans
Monday 24 September: A new layout unveiled at La Motte Street and 'Welcome Hosts' introduced to the premises
Monday 8 October: A new queue management system
Monday 22 October: Taxes helpdesk and Treasury Cashiers move from Cyril Le Marquand House
Monday 29 October: Customs and passports move from Maritime House
Monday 5 November: Planning and building control move from South Hill
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