The States is planning to shed employees

Politicians are to debate proposals for a new property department to manage the �1.6bn of assets owned by the States.

A committee which coordinates policy for the island says it wants to slim down services in an effort to make it more efficient.

There are plans for 500 fewer States employees than at present and Jersey's government says it will need less office space as a result.

The property department, called States of Jersey Property Holdings, would report to the treasury minister.

We are actually using more space than we should be so we can save many millions of pounds for the taxpayer Frank Walker

Its job would be to improve the way States properties are managed and used.

States-owned buildings which would be exempt are those run by the Harbours Department and the Airport and Telecoms.

But Fort Regent is included, as are Cyril Le Marquand House, Morier House and South Hill where the Environment and Public Services Department is based.

It would not include homes for States tenants.

Policy and Resources President Senator Frank Walker says because each department has been responsible for its own property he does not think it has been well managed in the past.

He said: "What we're proposing the States should do is pool very nearly all our property portfolio in one organisation, because one of the big issues here is we are actually using more space than we should be so we can save millions for taxpayers."