Finance director fears housing licence fees will hit charities and small firms

Tuesday 12th May 2009, 2:29PM BST.

property-contractHOUSING licence application charges will hit small businesses and charities that are already under pressure because of the economic downturn, according to one businessman.

Vets 4 Pets financial director Paul Kingston said a presentation given to employers and HR professionals who applied mostly for essential licences had left him with concerns.

‘I am surprised they are going to charge charities the same as the private sector but not charge for public sector workers – that’s unfair,’ he said.

Mr Kingston said he understood the arguments, but thought charities should be treated differently.

‘In this economic downturn, charities are getting hit hard.

‘Why put an extra cost on them to bring good quality people who will serve the island?’

From 1 June, applying for a 15-year licence will cost £1,890.


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  1. 1
    Josh

    35p a day to live in Guernsey

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  2. 2
    Angus

    This is true,

    I think its wrong to hit a charities like,

    but in a way im am currently in the same position.

    In full time work on the island working for the Vale earth fair and also have been in states education for over 4 years.

    And i have to pay to stay on the island to keep my career.

    Completely unfair

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  3. 3
    Jackie

    Educate me. How many charities need housing licences?

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  4. 4
    Jackie

    Angus it’s the applicant that pays, the employer, not you. And it is fair.

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  5. 5
    Concerned Guern

    Paying for admin costs for a department paid for by tax payers to process housing applications.

    Am I missing something?

    It’s not an extra service they’re providing here. This is the whole reason why there is a housing department. To…process…housing…applications.

    However, the public sector fees will be waved as it’s deemed as moving dead money around, hmm yes so instead the PRIVATE sector and charities will cover the costs. Also they are AIMING to get the turn around to one month. Considering it’s taking around 3 months for short term licenses and anything up to 6 months for essential I won’t hold my breath. Oh but it’s ok you are getting your monies worth as they’re now increasing essential housing application meetings to twice a month instead of the first Thursday.

    All because Joe Le Bloggs down social doesn’t want a job as he gets enought to tide him over down the pub on benefit and when he earns over the threshold will be turfed out of his states house anyway.

    I think the States are missing the point slightly.

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