Jul 07 - Edwin Reyes Budget Speech

Mr Speaker

This is the 9th consecutive year I address this House in what is commonly known as the Budget Session and in all these nine addresses, on whatever side of the House I may be in any particular year, my contributions under the section dedicated to Sports and Leisure have always been the most enjoyable at a personal level.

As a firm believer in unity, where possible, for the benefit of Gibraltar’s greater interests I am glad to see that Government continues with the long existing policy to assist all local sporting bodies to overcome any foreign Government’s politically inspired attempts to block our membership of international sporting bodies. In the past we have rejoiced together in respect of landmark achievements and this year we have yet another memorable achievement to rejoice about – namely the acceptance of the Gibraltar Football Association as a full member of FIFA. The policy of assisting Sporting Associations will certainly continue to receive the Opposition’s wholehearted support and I sincerely wish other sporting associations, such as Rugby and even the local branch of the I O C, amongst others, all the very best in their continuing battles to obtain their respective international memberships which are rightfully and legally theirs.

The GSD Opposition wishes the Gibraltar Football Association all the very best in building its own stadium at an alternative site to Europa Point. I am particularly pleased to hear of the latest developments which indicate that the GFA will receive substantial funding which covers almost the entirety of the costs of building a new UEFA Cat 3 stadium. However, irrespective of what the GFA does or does not build, the GSD believes there is a need for more and better football facilities to be provided for the benefit of our community at large and across all age groups. I believe members of this House should work together in order to provide our football fraternity with adequate facilities in which to train and from where a serious programme of youth development may take place. It breaks my heart to see so many football teams having to go over into Spain in order to be able to train in preparation for local and international matches. Indeed, more facilities are very much needed if we are to continue to aspire progressing to 2nd rounds and beyond of the Qualification stages in respect of European Champions League and the Europa League in order to proudly face legendary teams such as the Scottish Champions, Celtic, and the likes from other countries.

Another summer sports season is already upon us but as yet the Gibraltar Cricket Association still has no proper home of its own and has to make do by playing its competitions in the limited and far from adequate facilities available at Europa Point. I urge Government to be ever mindful that a level playing field must be provided for all sporting associations, more so as it is a commitment of theirs “to monitor the demand for additional facilities for all sports to ensure that existing facilities are developed further in line with our community’s needs”. The Government is committed through its election promises to provide renewed facilities for the playing, teaching and development of both cricket and rugby at the Europa Point area but, unfortunately, these have still not materialised despite having been first promised through their 2011 elections list of commitments.

Gibraltar is set to host the Small Island Games once again in 2019 and we look forward to the announcements of refurbishments and/or construction of new facilities which will serve our local community beyond the 2019 games.
Mr Speaker, although I am a firm believer that individual Sports Governing Bodies should be allowed to manage their own affairs with no political interference, I once again urge the Minister for Sports, in his capacity as Chairman of the Sports and Leisure Authority, to take a particular interest to ensure that publicly owned facilities are used in a fair manner for the benefit of all sports lovers. There is both a duty and moral obligation for the Sports Authority to ensure that, where desired by a club or individual citizen membership in their relevant local Governing Body is open to all in an equal and fair manner. I offer myself to sit down and discuss with the Minister for Sports possible avenues which may be looked into in order to set up a special independent body tasked with matters pertaining to and requiring arbitration related to local sporting issues. Some disputes have been dragging on for far too long now and I am hopeful that by working together with all affected parties solutions can and should be found.

Mr Speaker, through the collective celebration of social events, participating Gibraltarians contribute towards reinforcing our identity, culture and history as a people and a community. Both the performing and fine arts fraternities always prove themselves to be very proactive within their own specialised areas and I take this opportunity to congratulate all the groups and individuals who have done Gibraltar 2

extremely proud through their international participations and in numerous case even top awards gained. It is always a personal and collective pleasure to be able to say how proud we are of the international achievements of our fellow Gibraltarians. During their last term in Office Government purchased both the Queen’s Cinema and Queen’s Hotel sites for the development of a theatre and related activities. However, there are somewhat mixed feelings among the local community as to how these sites will be developed and at what cost. Given that Government has pledged to make the old Queen’s Cinema a venue for touring productions I sincerely hope that the development of these sites will be real value for money and that our local culture, in the widest sense of the words, is enhanced. If Government can afford to set aside in the Estimates £1,500,000, which actually last year turned out to be £3,600,000 to subsidise a mega concert, then surely our local performers and entertainers are entitled to ask for a theatre which is fit for purpose so that they too may offer live entertainment and in turn develop their skills.

Mr Speaker, in respect of repairs and refurbishments of Government rental homes what has happened over the last few years is that an ever increasing number of home refurbishments are contracted out to private companies without going through any type of transparent and accountable tender process. Unfortunately feedback from tenants who have had remedial works carried out in their homes indicate that, at times, the quality of the finished product leaves somewhat to be desired.

The Ombudsman, in his latest Annual Report, says that his Office continues to face difficulties when seeking information related to works which have been passed by the Housing Authority on to the Gibraltar General Construction Company Limited (GGCC) which is the entity tasked with repairs to rental housing stock.

When the works will be undertaken or, indeed, who will carry out the works, is not information available to the Ombudsman directly from GGCC. Sadly the Ombudsman had to add in his report “It is very often a very tedious and difficult exercise to obtain information via the Housing Manager who in turn finds it difficult to obtain information or indeed even replies from GGCC. The above situation prevents the Ombudsman from providing a good, efficient service to those who have lodged a complaint, which in general are in respect of delays as to when works will be undertaken.”

Mr Speaker these difficulties which the Ombudsman highlights in his report coincide with the feedback I receive when I meet with tenants during clinics held with them. Indeed I have even had cases where tenants claim to be holding back payment of rents as a sign of protest in respect of the length of time they have been waiting for essential repairs to be carried out in their rental home.

Mr Speaker, the Opposition agrees with Government that action needed to be taken in order to ensure all tenants are up to date with rents due. Indeed I congratulate the Minister for Housing for having commenced a programme of agreements which will ensure all debtors are up to date with their rents within a given period of time. However, it is also equally just that tenants should have remedial works carried out to an acceptable standard and within a reasonable period of time. If the Ombudsman finds it difficult to get answers to his questions one can only imagine what it is like for a tenant trying to obtain any answers directly by themselves.

Mr Speaker, both the Ombudsman and Action for Housing have expressed concern at the manner in which housing allocations are currently being made. Government had a 2011 Manifesto commitment to provide a home to everyone on the Housing Waiting List, and on the pre-list, as at 9th December 2011, before the next general election. The pledge was to eliminate the then existing waiting list and pre-list. Unfortunately this target was not met by the time the 2015 elections came along and from statistics available in January 2016 there were still 413 applicants awaiting the allocation of a home despite their names being on the waiting lists prior to 9th December 2011.

The Government’s website with statistics by Department was last updated in February with figures in respect of Housing matters as at end of January 2016. This information is therefore now 6 months old and I would welcome an update of statistics which I know Mr Speaker would also appreciate as it curtails Questions which I otherwise have to pose at Question time and these are purely of a statistical nature.

Based on the January 2016 figures there were 1566 applicants on the waiting list with an additional 520 on the pre-list, giving us a grand total of 2086 applicants.
As at January 2016 the Minister for Housing informed this House that she expected 21 rental homes to be returned to the Housing Authority upon completion of all co- ownership homes. Given the extremely small number of rental homes which will become available for applicants who cannot afford to purchase co-ownership homes I recommend that Government takes a serious look at constructing new rental homes, not just for senior citizens, in order to address the housing needs of all current applicants.

The Opposition had suggested prior to the last general elections that rents in respect of rental homes should be means-tested. Therefore, we note and welcome the views expressed by the Ombudsman that there should be periodical reviews of rental charges. Not everyone is able to obtain a mortgage and therefore purchase their own home through the co-ownership scheme. However, there are many who do and yet they opt out of doing so knowing that their monthly rents are a pittance when compared to the level of their personal wages. Mr Speaker, many new home owners have expressed to us their sense of unfairness as the only way in which they could obtain a home in keeping with their family requirements was through co-ownership and which brings with it new financial burdens. Their claim of unfairness is that not only do they now have a mortgage to pay of around £200 a month for a two bedroom home, they additionally have to pay Community Fees or Service Charges which at current rates is even greater than what a Government rental tenant pays in rent per month. Indeed Mr Speaker there are more and more people asking why should the tax payer have to subsidise rental homes given that the annual cost of expenditure for upkeep of rental homes is greater than the sum received from rents due.

I would be most grateful if Government were able to explain why despite the recently announced increases in House Rents the estimated revenue under this heading for 2016/2017 is now estimated to be around one million pounds less than the forecast outturn for last year. Likewise, Mr Speaker, given that 6 rental housing estates have been recently mortgaged by Government can these tenants be enlightened as to whether they remain Government tenants or is their new Landlord now a company or some other entity.

Mr Speaker there are now many Gibraltarians who have very recently moved into their new co-ownership homes. I have had an opportunity to see some of these homes myself and I am happy to report that many aspects of these new constructions are very welcome by their new owners. However, there are some aspects which I would like to bring to Government’s attention in the hope that the relevant Minister will be able to look into this further. Mr Speaker numerous purchasers at Beach View Terraces have brought to my attention their concerns in respect of the quality and reliability of the lifts installed. A recurring example of why the new lifts already give cause for concern is the unfortunate frequency with which they seem to break down. I sincerely hope that this will be looked into with some priority and that, likewise, proper monitoring during the installation of lifts at the existing rental estates which are currently having these installed will take place.

Before I conclude, Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Honourable Minister to spare some time and look into the new problems which have arisen within some homes in the estates where refurbishments are presently being undertaken. I have received information from a few tenants, with photographic evidence, showing that as a result of the cladding and installation of new roofs they are now suffering from water ingress – an issue which had never occurred in the many years they have been living in their homes. In wishing the Minister all the best and hoping that refurbishment works are completed on time as per the schedules she has already provided through answers to questions I have posed in this House, I appeal to her that new remedial works such as those I have just given examples of are also completed within the same time span as all major works are due to be completed.

Mr Speaker, The Chief Minister has already given a public indication that he will carry out a reshuffle of Ministerial Responsibilities at some stage after this year’s Budget Session. In anticipation of this I wish to restate – as I have done in the past - to all my colleagues currently sitting on the Government benches, in particular those Ministers whom I will have the honour and privilege to shadow, that I remain always ready to work collegiately within this House when embarking upon reasonable, responsible and affordable initiatives so that together we may improve the quality of life of this precious community of ours. I sincerely hope Government will accept this genuine offer of mine in the spirit it is intended.

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